Description
This Best Ever Carrot Cake is the ultimate dessert for any occasion! It’s moist, flavorful, and packed with grated carrots, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. Easy to make and perfect for birthdays, holidays, or casual gatherings, this carrot cake will satisfy your sweet cravings. Enjoy the best carrot cake recipe with a fluffy, delicious texture that everyone will love!
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1–2 tablespoons milk (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together eggs and sugar. Gradually add oil and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Add Carrots and Nuts: Stir in grated carrots and walnuts (if using).
- Combine and Bake: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until combined. Divide the batter between the prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk (if needed) until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cakes have cooled, frost the top of one cake, place the second cake on top, and frost the entire cake. Optionally garnish with walnuts or cinnamon.
Notes
For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts.
You can substitute walnuts with pecans or raisins for added flavor.
For a lighter texture, be careful not to overmix the batter.
Ensure cakes are completely cool before frosting to avoid melting the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 slices
- Calories: 450 kcal
Keywords: Best carrot cake recipe, moist carrot cake, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, easy carrot cake, homemade carrot cake, spiced carrot cake, classic dessert