Description
Moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with creamy frosting, this easy carrot cake is a sweet, simple dessert for any occasion.
Ingredients
**Carrot Cake:**
2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1¼ cups (295ml) vegetable oil
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
1 cup (190g) brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs (room temperature)
3 cups (300g) grated peeled carrots (5–6 medium)
1 cup (120g) chopped pecans (optional)
1/2 cup (70g) raisins (optional)
**Cream Cheese Frosting:**
8 oz (225g) cream cheese (room temperature)
2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional)
1¼ cups (140g) powdered sugar
1/3 cup (80ml) cold heavy cream
1/2 cup (50g) chopped pecans (for topping)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C); position rack in the middle.
2. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
3. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
4. In another bowl, whisk oil, both sugars, and vanilla.
5. Whisk in eggs one at a time.
6. Stir in dry ingredients gradually until smooth.
7. Fold in grated carrots, pecans, and raisins.
8. Divide batter into pans and bake 35–45 minutes until springy and a toothpick comes out clean.
9. Cool in pans 15 mins, then turn out onto racks to cool fully.
10. Beat cream cheese until smooth.
11. Sift in powdered sugar and cornstarch; beat until fluffy.
12. Add cold heavy cream and beat 2–3 mins until creamy and whipped.
13. Frost cooled cake: layer, top, and sides (optional to leave sides unfrosted).
14. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top.
Notes
Store frosted cake in the refrigerator for up to 1 week (covered).
Unfrosted layers: refrigerate 5 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Use spoon-and-level method for flour.
For traditional frosting: use 16 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 4½ cups powdered sugar, 1¼ tsp vanilla, and pinch salt.
To make cupcakes: bake 14–18 minutes.
To make bundt cake: increase bake time by ~30%.
Optional: add up to 1 cup finely chopped pineapple (fresh or well-drained canned).
Use heavy cream (36%+ fat) for best frosting results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 535
- Sugar: 40.5g
- Sodium: 315.9mg
- Fat: 33.4g
- Saturated Fat: 6.9g
- Carbohydrates: 56.4g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Protein: 5.6g
- Cholesterol: 69.3mg