Feast your eyes on the delectable carrot cake, a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This classic dessert, with its moist and tender crumb, is elevated by the vibrant sweetness of carrots and crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting. As you embark on this culinary journey, we present you with an array of carrot cake recipes that cater to every baker's skill level and dietary preference. Indulge in the traditional version, where the harmonious blend of spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger dances on your palate. For those seeking a healthier option, discover our gluten-free and vegan carrot cake, where wholesome ingredients like almond flour and coconut sugar create a guilt-free indulgence. Chocoholics, rejoice! Our chocolate carrot cake is a decadent delight, where rich cocoa powder and luscious chocolate chips mingle with the comforting flavors of carrot cake. And for those with a sweet tooth, our cream cheese frosting variations will leave you spellbound. From the tangy zest of orange to the nutty crunch of pecans, these frostings will transform your carrot cake into an extraordinary masterpiece. Prepare to embark on a delightful adventure as you explore these carrot cake recipes, each one promising an unforgettable taste experience.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
INCREDIBLY MOIST AND EASY CARROT CAKE
This is the best carrot cake recipe I've ever used. We prefer to use a hand grater when preparing the carrots since it creates delicate carrot shreds that melt into the cake batter. Pre-shredded bags or shredding carrots using a food processor are also options, but the carrot shreds will be larger. This recipe is forgiving. You can make this with or without the nuts or raisins. We love the combination of granulated and brown sugar, but if you only have one of them, use it, and the cake will still be delicious. Frosting: Our creamy frosting recipe shared below is not a traditional cream cheese frosting. Thanks to whipped cream, it's creamier and has soft peaks (you can see it in our video). We love it, but if you prefer a more traditional frosting, see the tips section below the recipe. We have provided instructions for a classic cream cheese frosting that works nicely with this cake.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield Makes 1 (9-inch) double layer cake (16 thin slices) or 22 to 24 cupcakes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottom with parchment paper and then grease the top. Or grease and flour the bottom and sides of both pans.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176C).
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until very well blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after each one.
- Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the dry ingredients in three parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth.
- Stir in the carrots, nuts, and raisins.
- Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake until the tops of the cake layers are springy when touched and when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes.
- Cool cakes in the pans for 15 minutes, then carefully turn the cake layers out onto cooling racks. Remove the parchment paper and cool completely. If you find that a cake layer is sticking to the bottom of the pan, leave the cake pan upside down and allow gravity to do its thing.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
- Beat in the powdered sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time, until fluffy.
- Pour in the whipping cream. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the frosting is whipped and creamy. This frosting resembles the texture of whipped cream. Chill covered until ready to frost the cake.
- When the cake layers are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, and place the second cake layer on top.
- Add the remaining frosting to the top of the carrot cake and use a butter knife or small spatula to swirl the frosting around. Leave the sides of the cake unfrosted. Finish with a handful of nuts on top.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 slice (1 of 16), Calories 535, Fat 33.4g, SaturatedFat 6.9g, Cholesterol 69.3mg, Sodium 315.9mg, Carbohydrate 56.4g, Fiber 2.4g, Sugar 40.5g, Protein 5.6g
CARROT CAKE III
I've tried many carrot cakes, and this is my favorite recipe. If you don't like pecans, feel free to leave them out.
Provided by Tammy Elliott
Categories Desserts Cakes Sheet Cake Recipes
Time 2h
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
- In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
- To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 574.6 calories, Carbohydrate 63.7 g, Cholesterol 68.8 mg, Fat 34.8 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 347.2 mg, Sugar 49.9 g
FANTABULOUS CARROT CAKE
IF YOU'RE ON A DIET OR EVEN THINKING ABOUT GOING ON ONE-DON'T MAKE THIS CAKE!!
Provided by keya sommerville
Categories Cakes
Time 1h10m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. MIX DRY INGREDIENTS THEN MIX IN WET INGREDIENTS, THEN FOLD IN PUREED CARROTS, COCONUT, SHREDDED CARROTS, PINEAPPLE,AND RAISINS........
- 2. GREASE AND FLOUR 2 (9") CAKE PANS AND DISTRIBUTE BATTER INTO PANS EVENLY
- 3. -BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR APPROX 50 MINUNTES.
- 4. ONCE COOLED YOU CAN FROST BOTH LAYERS AND SIDES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING. MINE: 2 PKS-CREAM CHEESE...SOFTENED STICK 1/2 BUTTER 2 CUPS /CONFECTIONATE SUGAR 1/2 TSP LEMON JUICE (REAL OR FROM BOTTLE)
EASY CARROT CAKE
Top this classic carrot cake with moreish icing and chopped walnuts or pecans. Serve as a sweet treat with a cup of tea any time of the day.
Provided by Cassie Best
Categories Afternoon tea, Dessert, Treat
Time 1h5m
Yield Serves 10-12
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil and line the base and sides of two 20cm cake tins with baking parchment. Whisk the oil, yogurt, eggs, vanilla and zest in a jug. Mix the flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg with a good pinch of salt in a bowl. Squeeze any lumps of sugar through your fingers, shaking the bowl a few times to bring the lumps to the surface.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry, along with the carrots, raisins and half the nuts, if using. Mix well to combine, then divide between the tins.
- Bake for 25-30 mins or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean. If any wet mixture clings to the skewer, return to the oven for 5 mins, then check again. Leave to cool in the tins.
- To make the icing, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth. Add half the soft cheese and beat again, then add the rest (adding it bit by bit prevents the icing from splitting). Remove the cakes from the tins and sandwich together with half the icing. Top with the remaining icing and scatter with the remaining walnuts. Will keep in the fridge for up to five days. Best eaten at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 680 calories, Fat 37 grams fat, SaturatedFat 8 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 78 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 61 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 8 grams protein, Sodium 0.6 milligram of sodium
FABULOUS CARROT CAKE!
Make and share this Fabulous Carrot Cake! recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Christine
Categories Dessert
Time 1h10m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Mix dry cake ingredients.
- Add carrots, oil and eggs.
- Stir till all is wet.
- Add nuts, (optional) Put in greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan.
- Bake at 325* for 50-55 minutes .
- Cool.
- Cream together cream cheese, margarine, vanilla Add powdered sugar.
- Spread over cooled cake.
OLD FASHIONED CARROT CAKE
This is a sweet, heavy delicious cake that you will never fail on making. I can't keep it in my house for any more than 24 hours... Everyone eats it as soon as it's ready. The kids love this recipe for a school snack too, it's so heavy and filling for a recess snack! You can add pineapple, raisins and/or walnuts if you like... I don't!
Provided by Momoftwo797
Categories Dessert
Time 1h20m
Yield 20 pieces, 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Grate 4-5 medium carrots.
- Pre-Heat oven to 350.
- Grease 9x13 pan (I use an air-bake pan with a lid so I can just refrigerate after cake cools and is icing-ed).
- In a large bowl mix sugar, flour, baking soda, salt & cinnamon (stir together).
- In a medium bowl mix oil, eggs & carrots. (blend on medium with mixer).
- Combined wet & dry ingredients and mix till all ingredients are wet (Blending is not required).
- Bake 50 min, check with knife. Cake should be perfect at 50 minute.
- Blend cream cheese till smooth.
- Add vanilla, blend.
- Add icing sugar to preference of thickness. I like the whole 2 cups, sometimes a little bit more.
- Refrigerate icing till cake cools (30-40 min) Then spread evenly over cake & enjoy!
OLD-FASHIONED CARROT CAKE
MY FAMILY thinks this is the best carrot cake ever! We love the moist texture. The surprise is in the frosting. It's a pleasant departure from the usual cream cheese frosting that tops most carrot cakes. This cake doesn't last very long around our house! -Muriel Doherty, Phoenix, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h25m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, carrots, cream cheese and oil until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to carrot mixture. Stir in pineapple and nuts. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool. , In a heavy saucepan, cook and stir flour and milk over medium-low heat until a thick paste forms, about 10 minutes. Chill for 30 minutes. In a large mixer, cream the butter, sugars and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in the chilled flour mixture until smooth, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Frost cake. Sprinkle with nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 652 calories, Fat 40g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 93mg cholesterol, Sodium 537mg sodium, Carbohydrate 69g carbohydrate (52g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
Tips:
- Fresh is Best: Use the freshest carrots possible for the best flavor and texture in your carrot cake.
- Creamy Frosting: For a smooth and creamy frosting, make sure the butter and cream cheese are at room temperature before mixing.
- Grated Carrots: Finely grate the carrots for an even distribution and texture in the cake batter.
- Nuts and Spices: Feel free to experiment with different nuts, such as walnuts or pecans, and spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to add your own personal touch to the cake.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a tough and dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are well combined.
- Bake Evenly: To ensure even baking, rotate the cake pan halfway through the baking time.
- Frosting Consistency: The frosting should be thick enough to spread easily but not too stiff. If it's too thick, add a little more cream cheese; if it's too thin, add more powdered sugar.
- Decorate as Desired: Get creative with your decoration! You can use chopped nuts, sprinkles, or even grated carrots to add a festive touch to your carrot cake.
Conclusion:
With its moist and flavorful carrot cake layers and creamy, decadent frosting, this Fantabulous Carrot Cake is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. The combination of carrots, nuts, and spices creates a unique and delicious taste that will satisfy everyone's sweet tooth. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe is easy to follow and will yield a stunning and delicious carrot cake that you'll be proud to share.
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