Best 6 Carrot Cranberry Spice Cake Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful Carrot Cranberry Spice Cake, a culinary symphony of flavors and textures. This moist and tender cake bursts with the sweetness of carrots and the tartness of cranberries, while a medley of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger adds a cozy touch. Frosted with a luscious cream cheese frosting, each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors that will leave you craving more.

But that's not all! This versatile recipe also offers a collection of variations to suit every taste preference. For a zesty twist, try the Orange Glaze, which adds a refreshing citrusy flavor. If you prefer a nutty crunch, the Walnut Streusel Topping is a perfect match, providing a delightful textural contrast. And for those who love chocolate, the Chocolate Ganache Frosting is an indulgent choice that elevates the cake to a new level of decadence.

Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe provides clear instructions and helpful tips to ensure success. It's perfect for any occasion, from cozy family gatherings to festive holiday celebrations. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

CRANBERRY CARROT CAKE



Cranberry Carrot Cake image

Moist and delicious. The cranberries are a nice change from the raisins most people use. Use your favorite cream cheese frosting to ice this cake.

Provided by jowolf2

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Carrot Cake Recipes

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 pinch salt
1 ½ cups sugar
1 cup mayonnaise
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrots
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, with juice
½ cup chopped toasted pecans
¾ cup dried cranberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 - 8 inch round cake pans. Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in a bowl, and set aside.
  • Cream together the sugar, mayonnaise, eggs, and vanilla extract with an electric mixer until blended, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in the flour mixture, then fold in the carrots, pineapple, pecans, and cranberries. Divide evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  • Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan, and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 398.6 calories, Carbohydrate 53.8 g, Cholesterol 53.5 mg, Fat 19.3 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 4.6 g, SaturatedFat 2.9 g, Sodium 466.7 mg, Sugar 34.1 g

CARROT-CRANBERRY SPICE CAKE



Carrot-Cranberry Spice Cake image

I love carrot cake and those made with cranberries. Using leftover cranberry sauce, I add carrots to make one marvelous cake that's tangy and sweet. -Elizabeth King, Duluth, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

4 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup canola oil
1 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium)
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube pan., In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, brown sugar, oil and cranberry sauce until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cloves; gradually beat into cranberry mixture. Stir in carrots., Transfer to prepared pan. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 358 calories, Fat 15g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 248mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (31g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SPICED CARROT CAKE



Spiced Carrot Cake image

My mom made this cake for my birthday one year because carrot cake is her favorite. Turns out, it's my favorite, too! Now when I make it, I love it with lots of spice. The pumpkin pie spice is a perfect shortcut, but you could use a custom blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. -Jaris Dykas, Knoxville, Tennessee

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded carrots (about 6 medium)
FROSTING:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment paper; grease paper., Beat first 5 ingredients until well blended. In another bowl, whisk together flour, pie spice, baking soda and salt; stir into egg mixture. Fold in carrots., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove paper. Cool completely., For frosting, beat cream until soft peaks form. In another bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth; gradually fold in whipped cream., If cakes are domed, trim tops with a serrated knife. Spread frosting between layers and over top of cake. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 241 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 49mg cholesterol, Sodium 375mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

CRANBERRY-CARROT LAYER CAKE



Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake image

This moist cake smothered with rich cream cheese frosting makes any dinner festive. Every autumn, I go to a cranberry festival in Wisconsin and load up on fresh cranberries to freeze for year-round cooking. -Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 20

4 large eggs
1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1-1/4 cups canola oil
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup dried cranberries
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup butter, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon whole milk
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest, optional
Sugared cranberries, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, oil and orange zest. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and cloves; gradually add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in carrots and cranberries. , Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, milk, ginger and orange zest if desired. , Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, top with sugared cranberries.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 729 calories, Fat 43g fat (15g saturated fat), Cholesterol 112mg cholesterol, Sodium 420mg sodium, Carbohydrate 84g carbohydrate (67g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 6g protein.

CARROT-CRANBERRY CAKE



Carrot-Cranberry Cake image

Enjoy your carrots naturally sweet, baked in a cake frosted with rich cream cheese frosting.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 3/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup mayonnaise or sour cream
3 eggs
1 tablespoon ginger-flavored brandy or water
2 cups shredded carrots (about 4 medium)
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
2 packages (3 oz each) cream cheese, softened
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
1/2 teaspoon ginger-flavored brandy or vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt, if desired
2 1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
Sugared cranberries, if desired
Sugared orange peel, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of three 8-inch square pans or three 8-inch round cake pans with shortening; lightly flour.
  • Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and the allspice; set aside. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, mayonnaise and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally, until blended. Beat in 1 tablespoon brandy. Gradually beat in flour mixture until batter is smooth. Stir in carrots, pineapple, pecans and dried cranberries. Pour into pans.
  • Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, 1/2 teaspoon brandy and 1/8 teaspoon salt on medium speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Fill layers and frost side and top of cake with frosting. Garnish with cranberries and orange peel. Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 570, Carbohydrate 76 g, Cholesterol 85 mg, Fat 5 1/2, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 590 mg, Sugar 58 g, TransFat 0 g

CARROT SPICE CAKE



Carrot Spice Cake image

I've found that no one can resist sampling a generous slice of this spice cake. Grated carrots add color, texture and nutrition.-Karen Brodeen, Cook, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1-1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup fat-free milk
8 egg whites
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups grated carrots
Confectioners' sugar, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, beat sugar, corn syrup, milk and egg whites. Combine dry ingredients; add to batter. Beat well. Pat carrots dry with paper towels; stir into the batter. , Pour into a 10-in. fluted tube pan coated with cooking spray and floured. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes; invert onto a wire rack. Cool completely. Lightly dust with confectioners' sugar if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 186 calories, Fat 0 fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 151mg sodium, Carbohydrate 41g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Mise en Place: Before you start baking, make sure you have all of your ingredients and equipment ready. This will help you stay organized and avoid any scrambling.
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients will give your cake the best flavor. If possible, use organic ingredients.
  • Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing the batter can make the cake tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the Cake Properly: Bake the cake at the correct temperature and for the correct amount of time. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean when the cake is done.
  • Let the Cake Cool Completely: Before you frost the cake, let it cool completely. This will help the frosting set properly.

Conclusion:

The carrot cranberry spice cake is a delicious and festive cake that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, sweet flavor, and tangy cranberries, this cake is sure to be a hit. Whether you're making it for a holiday gathering or a simple weekend treat, this cake is sure to please everyone.

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