Description
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese is a moist, flavorful cake loaded with grated carrots, warm spices, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any sweet occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
- In a large bowl, beat oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
- Fold in grated carrots, pineapple, and nuts if using.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and smooth tops.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, and beat until creamy.
- Frost cooled cakes and stack layers. Garnish with additional nuts if desired.
Notes
For extra moisture, soak the grated carrots in pineapple juice for 10 minutes before adding. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, moist cake, classic dessert