Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

10 servings
This BEST Carrot Cake recipe offers a moist, tender, and fluffy cake perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice. Made with grated carrots, light brown sugar, and enhanced by optional walnuts and raisins, it’s topped with a smooth and creamy fluffy cream cheese frosting that elevates this dessert to irresistible perfection. Ideal for celebrations or anytime indulgence, it promises delicious layers that are easy to assemble and decorate with charming carrot-shaped frosting accents.

Ingredients

  • all-purpose flour
    2 c
  • baking powder
    1 tsp
  • baking soda
    ¾ tsp
  • salt
    ½ tsp
  • ground cinnamon
    1 tsp
  • ground allspice
    ¼ tsp
  • ground nutmeg
    ¼ tsp
  • ground ginger
    ¼ tsp
  • carrots
    2 c
  • light brown sugar
    ⅝ c
  • granulated sugar
    ½ c
  • eggs

    at room temperature

    3 large
  • sunflower oil
    ⅝ c
  • plain full fat yogurt
    ½ c
  • pure maple syrup
    ⅓ c
  • walnuts
    ½ c
  • soaked and drained raisins
    ½ c

Directions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper rounds and lightly grease the sides if desired (greasing is optional to achieve taller cake layers).

  2. 2

    Combine the grated carrots with both sugars in a large bowl and let sit for 10 minutes to draw out moisture and dissolve sugar, enhancing moisture and breaking down fibrous bits. If short on time, you may skip this step.

  3. 3

    To the carrot and sugar mixture, add eggs and beat with an electric handheld mixer on medium speed until combined. Then add the sunflower oil, yogurt, and maple syrup, beating until smooth and evenly blended.

  4. 4

    In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and ginger. Add half of this dry mixture to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed until just combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix gently until fully combined—take care not to overmix.

  5. 5

    Fold in the chopped walnuts and optional raisins evenly, ensuring they are well distributed throughout the batter.

  6. 6

    Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 28-32 minutes or until the tops are golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.

  7. 7

    Remove the cakes from the oven and place on a wire rack. Let cool in pans for 15 minutes. Then run a knife around the edges, invert the cakes out of the pans onto the rack, and cool completely.

  8. 8

    Make the fluffy cream cheese frosting according to your preferred recipe. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of frosting if you want to create small decorative carrot shapes.

  9. 9

    Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Using an offset spatula, spread about 1 cup of frosting over the top, leaving a ½-inch border. Place the second layer on top and gently press to adhere. Spread a thin crumb coat layer of frosting over the entire cake and chill it for 15 minutes to set.

  10. 10

    Using the remaining frosting, spread it generously over the cake’s top and sides. For carrot decorations, tint 2 tablespoons of reserved frosting with orange food coloring and 1 tablespoon with green food coloring, then pipe carrot shapes on top using a zip-top bag or piping bag. Optionally, sprinkle chopped walnuts or pecans over the cake before serving.

Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

50 min10 servings370 cal

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About this Recipe

The Ultimate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Prepare to indulge in the Ultimate Carrot Cake experience, a dessert that truly lives up to its name! This isn't just any homemade carrot cake; it's a masterful creation promising an exceptionally moist carrot cake that will become your treasured go-to recipe for every special occasion. Each delectable slice is perfectly spiced with a warming blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, delivering a comforting aroma and an unforgettable flavor journey.

What elevates this spiced cake above the rest? It's the meticulous blend of ingredients – generously grated carrots, rich light brown sugar, and the secret touch of sunflower oil and plain full-fat yogurt, all contributing to an incredibly tender and fluffy crumb. You have the option to include coarsely chopped walnuts for a delightful textural contrast and plump, soaked raisins for an extra burst of sweetness, making this a truly versatile walnut cake.

The absolute star of this layered cake dessert is the irresistible, smooth, and creamy cream cheese frosting. Its perfectly balanced tang and delightful fluffiness provide the ideal counterpoint to the sweet, rich cake layers. This easy carrot cake recipe is designed for stress-free assembly, allowing you to create beautiful layers and even charming carrot-shaped frosting accents with ease. Ideal for birthdays, holidays, or simply a sweet everyday indulgence, this carrot cake with cream cheese frosting promises to be a showstopper. Serve it chilled for the best experience, perhaps with a cup of robust coffee or a delicate herbal tea, for an elevated dessert that everyone will adore!

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