Description
The ultimate carrot cake that’s incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and loaded with freshly grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and crunchy nuts. Finished with a silky cream cheese frosting, this is the only carrot cake recipe you’ll ever need.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 1/2 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:
12 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth.
4. Stir in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and vanilla extract.
5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined.
6. Fold in nuts if using.
7. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
8. Bake for 35–40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Cool cakes completely before frosting.
10. For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until fluffy.
12. Frost cake layers, assemble, and decorate as desired.
Notes
Finely grate carrots for the best texture and moisture.
Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake tender.
Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes before slicing for clean cuts.
Cake stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: ultimate carrot cake, best carrot cake recipe, cream cheese frosting, classic carrot cake