Carrot Sheet Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Sheet Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

16 servings
This carrot sheet cake has all the cozy flavor of classic carrot cake, baked in a simple 9×13-inch pan and topped with browned butter cream cheese frosting.

It’s soft, warmly spiced, and easy to make — no layers or complicated assembly required. This recipe uses finely shredded carrots, warm spices, and a combination of oil and butter for a tender crumb.

Perfect for spring baking, Easter, or anytime you’re craving carrot cake without the extra work.

Get the full recipe here: https://bakeorbreak.com/2026/03/carrot-sheet-cake/

Ingredients

  • all-purpose flour
    2 c
  • granulated sugar
    1 c
  • light or dark brown sugar
    ½ c
  • ground cinnamon
    2 tsp
  • ground nutmeg
    ½ tsp
  • ground ginger
    ½ tsp
  • baking powder
    2 tsp
  • baking soda
    1 tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • eggs

    at room temperature

    3 large
  • unsalted butter

    melted and slightly cooled

    ½ c
  • neutral cooking oil
    ½ c
  • buttermilk
    ⅓ c
  • vanilla extract
    2 tsp
  • carrots
    2 c
  • pecans or walnuts
    ½ c
  • Optional variations: raisins or shredded coconut

    1/2 cup each

  • unsalted butter
    ½ c
  • cream cheese

    softened

    8 oz
  • confectioners’ sugar
    3 c
  • vanilla extract
    1 tsp
  • salt
    1 pinch

Directions

To make the cake:

  1. 1

    Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch pan (or line with parchment for easy lifting).

  2. 2

    In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, spices, leavening, and salt.

  3. 3

    In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.

  4. 4

    Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, and mix just until combined.

  5. 5

    Fold in the finely shredded carrots and nuts (and any variations).

  6. 6

    Spread into the pan and bake 30–36 minutes, or until the center springs back and a tester comes out clean.

  7. 7

    Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting:

  1. 1

    Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring often, until the butter foams, the milk solids turn deep golden, and it smells toasty (usually 5–7 minutes).

  2. 2

    Transfer to a heatproof bowl and chill it until it’s opaque and just starting to firm up (about 30–40 minutes in the refrigerator).

  3. 3

    {You don’t want it fully solid; you just want it soft but scoopable.}

  4. 4

    In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the cooled browned butter and mix until fully incorporated.

  5. 5

    Add 3 cups (330g) of confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and salt. Beat until light and creamy. If you want it thicker, add the remaining sugar ¼ cup at a time.

  6. 6

    Frost the cooled cake.

Carrot Sheet Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Sheet Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

61 min16 servings

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About this Recipe

The Easiest, Most Flavorful Carrot Sheet Cake

Get ready to discover your new favorite carrot cake recipe! This incredible Carrot Sheet Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting delivers all the cozy, spiced goodness you crave in a classic carrot cake, but in a wonderfully simple 9x13 cake format. No fussing with layers or complicated assembly — just pure, delicious cake baked to perfection, making it the ideal Easter dessert or spring dessert for any gathering.

What makes this sheet cake truly special? It starts with a tender, moist crumb, achieved by combining both oil and melted butter, along with finely shredded carrots that seamlessly blend into every bite. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger create that irresistible, comforting aroma and flavor profile that everyone loves in a good carrot cake.

But the real showstopper here is the browned butter cream cheese frosting. Taking classic cream cheese frosting to an elevated level, the nutty, rich notes from browned butter add an incredible depth and complexity that perfectly complements the spiced cake. It’s an easy yet impressive touch that sets this carrot sheet cake apart.

Tips for Perfection & Delicious Variations

  • Shredding Carrots: For the best texture, use finely shredded carrots. A food processor makes this job quick and easy!
  • Add-ins: While delicious plain, feel free to enhance your carrot sheet cake with classic additions. Stir in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a delightful crunch, or 1/2 cup of raisins or shredded coconut for extra chewiness and flavor.
  • Serving Suggestions: This 9x13 cake is perfect on its own, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea. It's a fantastic treat for potlucks, family dinners, or any occasion where you want a crowd-pleasing dessert without the extra effort.

Dive into this effortlessly elegant Carrot Sheet Cake and enjoy the rich flavors and tender texture that will have everyone asking for the recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions