Description
Carrot cake brings pure comfort straight from your kitchen, blending warm spices with sweet carrots and creamy frosting that makes everyone smile. Smooth cream cheese and tender cake layers create a classic dessert perfect for sharing with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Leavening and Spices:
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and let cream cheese and butter sit at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Whisk 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
- Beat 4 large eggs and 1 ½ cups sugar in a large bowl for 3 minutes until pale and fluffy.
- Slowly stream 1 cup vegetable oil into egg mixture while continuously whisking.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Gently stir 2 cups grated carrots and 1 cup chopped walnuts into the batter.
- Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and divide batter evenly between them.
- Bake at 350°F for 28-32 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool cake layers completely on wire racks for 1 hour before frosting.
- Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese and ½ cup softened butter until completely smooth.
- Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Spread frosting between cake layers and cover entire cake surface evenly.
- Sprinkle additional chopped walnuts around cake edges for decoration.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients ensure smoother mixing and more even baking, so let cream cheese and butter sit out for about 30 minutes before starting.
- Grate carrots finely to help them distribute evenly and create a tender cake texture that melts in your mouth.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to keep the same delicious consistency.
- Toast walnuts briefly in a dry pan before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 383 kcal
- Sugar: 42 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 2.5 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg