Description
Carrot cake is a moist, spiced classic made with grated carrots, warm spices, and optional add-ins like nuts or raisins, finished with tangy cream cheese frosting. Its tender crumb and rich flavor make it a comforting dessert for holidays, birthdays, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: 1–2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts, raisins, shredded coconut, or crushed pineapple
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and line two or three 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In another bowl, mix brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients, folding gently to avoid overmixing.
- Stir in grated carrots and any optional add-ins.
- Divide batter evenly into prepared pans.
- Bake 20–35 minutes (depending on pan size), until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Use freshly grated carrots (not pre-shredded) for maximum moisture.
- Toast nuts before adding for better flavor.
- Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and tender.
- Customization ideas:
• Make it vegan with flax eggs and plant-based cream cheese.
• Reduce sugar or use natural sweeteners like maple syrup for a low-sugar option.
• Try flavor twists with cranberries, apricots, or extra spices like cardamom. - Storage: Store at room temp up to 3 days, refrigerated up to 5 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 33 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg