Description
The ultimate moist and flavorful carrot cake packed with freshly grated carrots, warm spices, and crushed pineapple, then finished with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfectly soft, perfectly spiced, and truly unforgettable.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. In a large bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth.
4. Stir in grated carrots, pineapple, and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
6. Fold in nuts if using.
7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
8. Bake for 30–35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cool cakes completely before frosting.
10. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
12. Frost cake layers and decorate as desired.
Notes
Grate carrots finely for the best texture.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
Chill cake briefly before frosting for cleaner layers.
Cake can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 25 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: best carrot cake, classic carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, homemade cake