Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting your baking journey, this Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is surprisingly easy and versatile. Packed with freshly grated carrots, warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and crunchy nuts, all topped with a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting, this decadent dessert offers a delightful balance of sweetness, moisture, and texture. This timeless dessert is a guaranteed crowd pleaser, perfect for Easter, potlucks or birthdays.

Jump to:

• Here's Why You'll Want to Make Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Carrot Cake
• Steps to Make the Carrot Cake
• Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Cream Cheese Frosting
• Steps to Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
• Steps to Finish the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Recipe Tips and Tricks
• Other Great Cakes
• Recipe

Here's Why You'll Want to Make Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

• Flavor Explosion: Carrot Cake offers a unique flavor. The moist cake with sweet carrots bursts with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This flavor combination is perfectly complemented by the tangy sweetness of the Cream Cheese Frosting, creating a truly irresistible taste experience. 

• Textural Delight: Carrot Cake boasts a wonderful contrast of textures. The cake is moist and tender, while the toasted nuts sprinkled outside add a delicious crunch. The Cream Cheese Frosting adds another layer of texture with its smooth and creamy consistency.

• Easy to Make: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a surprisingly easy dessert to make at home. The ingredients are readily available, and the process itself is straightforward. Even beginner bakers can achieve delicious results.

• Perfect for Any Occasion: Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a crowd-pleaser, making it perfect for any occasion. It's a delicious choice for holidays, potlucks, birthday parties, or even a cozy night at home.

Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Carrot Cake

Steps to Make the Carrot Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg, and ground cinnamon. Then, use a whisk to combine the dry ingredients. Set the bowl aside until ready to use.

2. In a large bowl, add the canola oil, buttermilk, extra-large eggs, and vanilla extract. Then, beat the wet ingredients together with an electric hand mixer until they are emulsified and well combined.

3. Add the white and brown sugars to the mixed wet ingredients, then beat with the mixer until well combined.

4. Next, add the combined dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and beat until just combined.

5. Next, add the shredded carrots, sweetened coconut flakes, crushed pineapple, and toasted pecan pieces. Stir everything together with a large wooden spoon or rubber spatula just until combined. Make sure to scrape the sides of the bowl as you mix.

6. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. I like to use Baker's Joy Nonstick Baking Spray with Flour. Then, divide the carrot cake batter evenly between the two pans. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

7. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, turn the cakes out onto wire racks and cool them completely before frosting. I like to wrap my cakes in plastic wrap overnight and frost them the next day.

Ingredients - Here's What You'll Need for the Cream Cheese Frosting

Steps to Make the Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Place the room-temperature cream cheese, room-temperature unsalted butter, salt, and vanilla extract in a very large bowl. Beat the ingredients together an electric hand mixer until well combined and creamy.

2. Next, add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time.

3. Beat the frosting well after each addition of powdered sugar, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl after each beating. Reserve about 1 ½ cups of frosting for decorating.

Steps to Finish the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Place one of the Carrot Cake layers, right side up, onto either a cardboard cake round or a large serving plate. Then, using a large ice cream scoop, place two scoops, about one cup, of Cream Cheese Frosting on top of the cake.

2. Using a thin icing spatula, spread the frosting into an even layer. The layer of frosting in between the cake layers should be about ½ inch thick. Next, place the other cake layer, top side down, onto the spread-out frosting. Using the ice cream scoop, add two scoops, about one cup, of frosting to the top of the cake and spread it into a smooth, even layer.

3. Use the spatula to begin spreading the frosting down the sides of the cake. Continue adding frosting to the sides until the entire cake is covered. The frosting should be about ½-inch thick on the top and ¼-inch thick on the sides.

4. Once the cake is completely frosted, use your hands to press toasted pecan pieces into the frosting on the sides of the Carrot Cake.

5. Place some of the remaining cream cheese frosting into a piping bag with a large star tip and pipe a boarder around the top of the Carrot Cake.

6. Place about ¾ of the remaining frosting into a small bowl. Add 2-3 drops of orange gel food coloring. Then, mix the color into the frosting using a small silicone spatula. If your frosting is not the desired color, you can add another drop of color. Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip and pipe carrot shapes onto the top of the cake.

7. Place the remaining uncolored frosting into a small bowl, add 1-2 drops of green gel food coloring, and mix the color into the frosting with a silicone spatula. If your frosting is not the desired color, you can add another drop of color. Add the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a small star tip and pipe the tops of the carrots.

This Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting offers a truly exceptional dessert. From the moist, spiced cake to the tangy cream cheese frosting and crunchy pecans, every element combines to create a symphony of flavors and textures. By following the detailed steps and helpful tips, you can confidently bake this classic treat for any occasion. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Grate Smart: Grate your carrots finely for even distribution throughout the cake. This also helps prevent large carrot chunks that might be unpleasant to bite into.

• Oil is Key: Using oil instead of butter keeps the cake moist and tender. Opt for a neutral-flavored oil like canola or vegetable oil.

• Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough and dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.

• Soften Up: Ensure your cream cheese and butter are completely softened at room temperature before beating it. This prevents lumps and creates a smooth frosting.

• Toasted Perfection: Toast your nuts (like pecans or walnuts) for 10 minutes at 350°F for an extra layer of flavor and a delightful textural contrast with the moist cake.

Other Great Cakes

Recipe