Indulge in a culinary delight with our exquisite carrot cake recipe, an irresistible treat that combines the perfect balance of flavors and textures. This classic dessert features a moist and tender carrot cake base, bursting with vibrant carrot pieces, warm spices, and a hint of nuts. Its velvety buttermilk glaze adds a luscious sweetness, complementing the cake's natural flavors. Our comprehensive guide also includes a delectable cream cheese frosting recipe, offering an alternative topping that adds a rich, tangy layer. Whether you prefer the classic buttermilk glaze or the creamy richness of the cream cheese frosting, this carrot cake recipe promises an unforgettable dessert experience. Get ready to impress your loved ones with this exceptional carrot cake, perfect for any occasion.
Here are our top 10 tried and tested recipes!
BEST-EVER BUTTERMILK CARROT CAKE
This is truly the Best-Ever Buttermilk Carrot Cake on the planet! Learn the simple secret to making this moist, tender, homemade classic cake, complete with spices, shredded carrots and coconut, toasted pecans, and creamy rum cream cheese frosting!
Provided by Erica
Categories Dessert
Time 1h35m
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottoms of three 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper, then spray with nonstick spray. (This cake can also be made larger in 8-inch pans, the layers will just be thinner.)
- In a large bowl, add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk well to combine.
- In a separate mixing bowl, beat together eggs, sugars, oil, applesauce, and vanilla until well combined. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in carrots, coconut, and pecans until evenly combined.
- Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Pour the warm buttermilk glaze over the hot cakes and let them cool in pans for 15-20 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
- Add all ingredients except rum to a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Bring them to a boil, stirring often, 4-5 minutes until combined. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Set aside to cool briefly before pouring over cakes.
- Add butter to a medium mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy. Add cream cheese and whip and additional 3-4 minutes.
- Use a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl, then sift powdered sugar and salt into the mixture. Mix on low speed for 1 minute, then increase speed to medium-high and whip for 2-3 minutes until well incorporated.
- Scrape bowl again, then add rum and heavy cream. Whip 3-4 minutes until fluffy and smooth.
- Level the tops of each cake layer with a long, sharp knife. Place one of the layers on a cake plate or stand, then spread ⅓ cup cream cheese frosting in an even layer. Repeat with second layer.
- Place the third layer on top and use the remaining frosting to coat the top and sides of the cake, saving some to pipe a border on top if desired. Garnish the sides and top with chopped, toasted pecans and carrot tops and curls.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 1169 kcal, Carbohydrate 136 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 68 g, SaturatedFat 42 g, Cholesterol 166 mg, Sodium 797 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 104 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CARROT CAKE WITH BUTTERMILK GLAZE
This is a delicious cake-it's so moist! It's great for taking to picnics in summertime, since it travels well. It also keeps for several days in the refrigerator.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h15m
Yield 20 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Sift together flour, soda, cinnamon and salt; set aside. Beat eggs in bowl until lemon-colored; beat in the sugar, oil, buttermilk and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture; stir in the pineapple, carrots, nuts and coconut. Pour into lightly greased 13x9-in. baking pan. , Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. , For frosting, combine all ingredients except vanilla in saucepan; bring to boil. Boil 5-6 minutes, until thick and syrupy; add vanilla. Poke holes in top of cake with toothpick or fork; pour glaze over top while cake is still warm. Serve warm or store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts :
THE BEST CARROT CAKE
Our classic carrot cake is nicely spiced with cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg and has toasted pecans both in the cake and on top. Plumped golden raisins and a full pound of carrots make it nice and moist while buttermilk lends tang and tenderness. Our homemade cream-cheese frosting has just the right amount of sweetness.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 4h
Yield 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- For the cake: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds and lightly coat the paper with spray.
- Cover the raisins with very hot water and let sit until plump, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
- Toast the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet until fragrant and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and then chop 1 cup of the pecans; reserve for the cake batter. Pulse the remaining 1/2 cup pecans in a food processor until very finely ground; reserve for garnish.
- Combine the carrots and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Whisk the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Beat the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until pale and thick, about 4 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually stream in the oil. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the carrot mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Fold in the raisins and chopped pecans with a rubber spatula. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake the cakes, rotating the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let the cakes cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes and invert onto the rack. Remove the parchment and let the cakes cool completely.
- For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the confectioner' sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- To assemble the cake: When the cakes are completely cool, trim the domes of each cake round with a large serrated knife so the tops are flat. Place one cake, cut-side down, on a platter. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the frosting evenly over top. Place the remaining cake, cut-side down, on top. Spread the top with another 1 1/2 cups of the frosting. Frost the sides of the cake with another 1 1/2 cups frosting and smooth out completely to make an even crumb coat (It's ok if some of the cake shows through. This is just a base layer.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the frosting set.
- Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively if desired. Sprinkle with the finely ground pecans.
BEST EVER CARROT CAKE WITH BUTTERMILK GLAZE
This really is an easy cake to make even with all the steps and ingredients. The key is to have all the ingredients ready to go. This is one of my husband's favorite cakes, he likes it warmed up. My grandkids even like this cake.
Provided by Cheryl Kaelin
Categories Cakes
Time 17h
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- 1. Pre-heat oven to 350 Line 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set pans aside.
- 2. Stir together first 4 ingredients. Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrot and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter into prepared cake pans
- 3. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers; cool in pans on wire racks 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake.
- 4. Buttermilk Glaze Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla.
- 5. Cream Cheese Frosting Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth.
BEST CARROT CAKE EVER
A moist and flavorful recipe that makes a large quantity of cake. I have been hounded to make this cake time and time again.
Provided by Nan
Categories Desserts Cakes Spice Cake Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a medium bowl, combine grated carrots and brown sugar. Set aside for 60 minutes, then stir in raisins.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 10 inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl, beat eggs until light. Gradually beat in the white sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir into the wet mixture until absorbed. Finally stir in the carrot mixture and the walnuts. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. When completely cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 457.4 calories, Carbohydrate 66.3 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 20.2 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 315.2 mg, Sugar 42.8 g
BLUE RIBBON CARROT CAKE [WITH BUTTERMILK GLAZE]
From the Recipe Hall of Fame Cookbook II. This recipe includes a buttermilk glaze in addition to cream cheese frosting. Preparation time does not include chilling time. This cake is knock-down, drag-out delicious.
Provided by Recipe Junkie
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 20-24 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 26
Steps:
- For Buttermilk Glaze:.
- In small saucepan over high heat, combine sugar, baking soda, buttermilk, butter, and corn syrup.
- Bring to a boil.
- Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Set aside until cake is baked.
- For cake:.
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Generously grease a 9x13 baking dish or 2 9" cake pans.
- Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together.
- Set aside.
- In large bowl, beat eggs.
- Add oil, buttermilk, sugar and vanilla and mix well.
- Add flour mixture, pineapple, carrots, coconut, raisins and walnuts and stir well.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove cake from oven and slowly pour over buttermilk glaze over hot cake.
- Cool cake in pan until buttermilk glaze is totally absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- For Frosting:.
- In large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
- Add vanilla, powdered sugar, orange juice and orange peel.
- Mix until smooth.
- Frost cake and refrigerate until frosting is set.
- Serve cake chilled.
BEST CARROT CAKE
After a bite of this, you'll be on cloud nine. I love to bake this moist carrot cake recipe for friends and family. -Geri Frahm, Gretna, Nebraska
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h35m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat the sugars, oil, eggs and vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; gradually beat into sugar mixture until blended. Stir in the carrots, pineapple, raisins and walnuts. , Transfer to a greased 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at 350° for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Frost cake. Store in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 621 calories, Fat 32g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 55mg cholesterol, Sodium 235mg sodium, Carbohydrate 81g carbohydrate (60g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
GRANDMA'S CARROT CAKE
This recipe has been a favorite in our family for three generations. Different from traditional carrot cakes, this cake is extremely moist and flavorful and is topped with a buttermilk glaze while still warm. Try it and I think you will agree that it is the best!! Be certain to reduce the baking temperature to 325 degrees F(165 degrees C) if using a glass baking pan.
Provided by heybejay
Categories Desserts Cakes Carrot Cake Recipes
Time 1h25m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the sugar and oil until blended. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated. Fold in the pineapple, carrots, coconut and walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. While still warm, poke holes in the cake with a fork.
- For the glaze: In a saucepan, combine butter, sugar, buttermilk and vanilla. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and cook for 5 minutes. Pour glaze over warm cake, then allow to cool completely.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 642.7 calories, Carbohydrate 78.5 g, Cholesterol 67.2 mg, Fat 35.5 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 10.4 g, Sodium 323.7 mg, Sugar 59.1 g
BUTTERMILK CARROT CAKE
This is a scrumptious treat that has been a favorite of families for generations.-Mrs. Harold Podraza, Houston, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h5m
Yield 12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 28
Steps:
- In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients; beat until smooth. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, orange zest and salt; add to buttermilk mixture and mix well. Stir in carrots, coconut, nuts and pineapple. Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Place pans on wire racks., In a saucepan, combine the first five glaze ingredients. bring to a boil; cook and stir for 4 minutes. Remove from the heat; add vanilla. Spread over warm cakes. Cool completely before removing from pans., In a bowl, combine the first five frosting ingredients; beat until fluffy. Beat in sugar. Place one cake glaze side up on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Frost top and sides of cake.
Nutrition Facts :
CARROT CAKE WITH BUTTERMILK GLAZE
This is Grandma Great's recipe. What makes this cake different from other's posted here is additional coconut and walnuts in the glaze and the technique of broiling the cake with the glaze. The amounts are a little different too. This is by far our favorite carrot cake. If you don't want a cream cheese frosting, this glaze is a perfect compliment to a moist but very dense cake. Do not Beat the cake mix, stir by hand - very important!
Provided by Vseward Chef-V
Categories Dessert
Time 1h15m
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Preheat oven 350 degrees F. Spray a 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray (No need to grease - there is oil in the cake batter).
- In a bowl beat eggs with sugar, oil, buttermilk and vanilla for about 5 minutes (beat for 5 minutes, no less!).
- In another bowl mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; add to the egg mixture *STIR* with wooden spoon until combined.
- Fold in carrots, drained pineapple, coconut and walnuts; mix with wooden spoon until combined.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown. Cover the pan loosley with foil to prevent excess browning. Continue to cook another 25 minutes.
- Buttermilk glaze:.
- In a heavy saucepan bring the sugar, baking soda, butter, buttermilk and corn syrup to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Cook for about 2 minutes add 1/2 cup coconut and 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts.
- continue to cook another 2 minutes or until the mixture is golden brown.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Poke holes in cake (I use a kabob skewer) Pour buttermilk glaze over hot cake.
- BROIL:.
- Return cake to oven and broil until bubbly -- about 1-2 minutes.
- Cool completely before serving.
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before you start baking, measure and prepare all of your ingredients. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don't miss anything.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your carrot cake the best flavor. If possible, use organic carrots and buttermilk.
- Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter will make your carrot cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use a Bundt Pan: A Bundt pan will give your carrot cake a classic shape and help it cook evenly.
- Let the Cake Cool Completely: Before you glaze the cake, let it cool completely. This will help the glaze set properly.
- Use a Buttermilk Glaze: A buttermilk glaze is the perfect finishing touch for carrot cake. It's sweet, tangy, and adds a beautiful shine.
Conclusion:
This carrot cake recipe is a classic for a reason. It's moist, flavorful, and has the perfect amount of sweetness. The buttermilk glaze is the perfect finishing touch, adding a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the cake perfectly. Whether you're making it for a special occasion or just because you have a craving for something sweet, this carrot cake is sure to be a hit.
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