Irresistibly Moist Carrot Cake Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting

Crafting a delightful carrot cake with cream cheese frosting brings pure comfort to any kitchen gathering.

Memories of grandma’s warm baking waft through the air as grated carrots blend into a moist, tender batter.

Sweet spices dance alongside chopped walnuts, creating a symphony of flavors that promise pure delight.

Soft, pillowy layers promise a dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious touch that makes each bite memorable.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic into this classic treat.

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting That Feels Like Home

• Craft a Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: This carrot cake recipe transforms simple ingredients into a showstopping treat that will impress family and friends at any gathering.
• Master Baking with Ease: Beginner bakers can confidently create this recipe with straightforward steps and basic kitchen tools, making it perfect for building baking skills.
• Customize Your Cake: Adaptable recipe allows for personal touches like adding nuts, adjusting spices, or experimenting with frosting thickness to suit individual tastes.
• Celebrate Versatile Occasions: Perfect for birthdays, potlucks, holidays, or as a comforting weekend dessert that brings people together with its classic, homemade charm.

Ingredients for Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• All-Purpose Flour: A key structural component that provides the foundation for the cake's texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.

• Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, aromatic flavor that complements the carrots.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender, replacing butter for a softer texture.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add structure to the cake.

• Carrots: Fresh grated carrots add natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
• Walnuts: Optional ingredient that provides crunch and nutty flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, tangy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and classic flavor to the frosting.
• Milk: Helps adjust the frosting's consistency for smooth spreading.

How to Bake Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pans

Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Combine these ingredients until they are evenly distributed and look well-blended.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Freshly grated carrots
• Chopped walnuts (optional)

Stir these ingredients until they are fully incorporated and create a smooth mixture.

Step 4: Create the Cake Batter

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together using a spatula.

Mix just until the ingredients are combined – avoid overmixing, which can make the cake tough.

Step 5: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Craft the Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract

Mix until smooth and creamy. If needed, add a splash of milk to achieve the desired consistency.

Step 7: Assemble and Frost the Cake

Once the cake layers are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top.

Carefully position the second cake layer on top. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating a delicious and beautiful dessert.

Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Every Time

• Opt for freshly grated carrots to ensure maximum moisture and flavor in your cake, avoiding pre-shredded carrots which can be dry.
• Toast walnuts lightly before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch throughout the cake.
• Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for the frosting to achieve a smoother, more spreadable consistency without lumps.
• Refrigerate the cake after frosting to help set the cream cheese layer and maintain its structural integrity when serving.
• Consider adding a sprinkle of ground nutmeg or ginger to the dry ingredients for an extra layer of warm, aromatic spice that complements the carrots perfectly.

Delicious Variations on Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Carrot Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of regular oil, and create a dairy-free frosting using vegan cream cheese alternatives.
• Nut-Free Option: Eliminate walnuts and replace with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds for crunch without nuts.
• Low-Sugar Version: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of sugar, and reduce overall sweetness while maintaining moisture with applesauce or mashed bananas.

Pairings That Go Well with Carrot Cake and Frosting

• Complement the carrot cake's cinnamon notes with a fragrant, spicy chai tea that echoes the cake's warm flavors and enhances its comforting character.
• Create a delightful contrast by adding a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the cake, which cuts through the richness and provides a cool, smooth counterpoint.
• Elevate the dessert experience with a caramel macchiato, whose sweet, buttery notes harmonize beautifully with the cake's nutty and spiced profile, creating a luxurious flavor combination.

How to Keep Carrot Cake Fresh and Moist

• Refrigerate: Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days, keeping cream cheese frosting fresh and preventing drying out.
• Freeze Whole Cake: Wrap completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, storing in freezer for 2-3 months without compromising taste or texture.
• Slice Freezing: Cut individual slices, wrap separately in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag, and store for quick single-serving defrosting within 3 months.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen cake in refrigerator overnight, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore optimal moisture and flavor.

FAQs

• Can I make this carrot cake without walnuts?

Absolutely! Simply omit the walnuts from the recipe. The cake will still be delicious and moist.

• Is it necessary to use parchment paper in the cake pans?

No, you can grease the pans with butter or cooking spray. Parchment paper just helps prevent sticking and makes cake removal easier.

• How do I know if I'm overmixing the batter?

Stop mixing as soon as the dry and wet ingredients are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough, dense cake instead of a light, tender texture.

• Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

You can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, but using 100% whole wheat might make the cake denser and less fluffy.

Carrot Cake Recipe With Cream Cheese Frosting

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4.7 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting delivers classic comfort through moist layers packed with spices and nuts. Creamy frosting and delicate carrot garnish complete this beloved dessert you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsps milk

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare cake pans by coating with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Combine all dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring thorough blending of flour, sugar, leavening agents, aromatic spices, and seasoning.
3. Create a separate mixture of liquid and textural components, whisking together vegetable oil, farm-fresh eggs, finely shredded carrots, and optional chopped walnuts until harmoniously integrated.
4. Gently fold wet ingredients into dry mixture, using careful circular motions to incorporate without overworking the batter, which could result in dense cake texture.
5. Distribute batter evenly between prepared cake pans, ensuring balanced layers for consistent baking and smooth surface.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, monitoring for golden-brown edges and checking doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into cake center.
7. Allow cake layers to cool completely on wire rack, preventing moisture condensation that could compromise frosting application.
8. Craft cream cheese frosting by blending softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with small milk additions for spreadable texture.
9. Apply frosting generously between cake layers and across exterior, creating smooth, even coverage for an elegant presentation.
10. Optional: Garnish with additional chopped walnuts or decorative carrot shavings for visual appeal and textural contrast.

Notes

• Swap walnuts with pecans or omit nuts entirely for nut-free version, perfect for those with allergies.
• Use whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour blend to make recipe more diet-friendly and accommodate different nutritional needs.
• Enhance moisture by adding crushed pineapple or applesauce, which helps create a softer, more tender cake texture without extra oil.
• Control sweetness by reducing powdered sugar in frosting or using alternative sweeteners like stevia for lower-sugar dietary preferences.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 270 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 35 mg