**Carrot cake**, a delectable dessert with a moist, flavorful crumb and a sweet, cream cheese frosting, has captured the hearts of dessert enthusiasts worldwide. Originating in the Middle Ages, carrot cake has undergone a culinary journey, evolving from its humble beginnings as a simple cake studded with carrots to the modern masterpiece we know today. This article presents a collection of the highest-rated carrot cake recipes, each promising a unique taste experience. From classic renditions to innovative twists, these recipes cater to various dietary preferences and skill levels, ensuring that every baker can create a carrot cake that delights the senses. Indulge in the timeless charm of traditional carrot cake, featuring a symphony of spices and a rich cream cheese frosting. Explore gluten-free and vegan variations, catering to special dietary needs without compromising on flavor. Discover creative interpretations, such as carrot cake cupcakes with maple cream cheese frosting or carrot cake cheesecake, a harmonious blend of two classic desserts. With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning visuals, these recipes guide bakers through the process of crafting exceptional carrot cakes that will be the stars of any celebration or gathering.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
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.
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
SAM'S FAMOUS CARROT CAKE
My Grandfather (Sam) was famous for this cake. Everyone who knew him, knows of his famous carrot cake. He would always have some available for anyone who wanted it. We'll miss him, but his carrot cake legacy will always live on! Enjoy!
Provided by Brian D'Amico
Categories Desserts Cakes Sheet Cake Recipes
Time 1h40m
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x12 inch pan.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour mixture and mix well.
- In a medium bowl, combine shredded carrots, coconut, walnuts, pineapple and raisins.
- Using a large wooden spoon or a very heavy whisk, add carrot mixture to batter and fold in well.
- Pour into prepared 8x12 inch pan, and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour. Check with toothpick.
- Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 374.3 calories, Carbohydrate 48.7 g, Cholesterol 37.7 mg, Fat 18.8 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 5.2 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 259.4 mg, Sugar 31.4 g
THE BEST CARROT CAKE (IN THE WORLD)
Was in a paper cutting my aunt gave me from an USA newspaper back in the 80's.. I have adapted it over the years to be yummier :) It is a very large cake that needs to be cooked in a roasting dish.. very moist and best iced with cream cheese frosting.
Provided by mortarandpestle
Categories Dessert
Time 1h35m
Yield 30 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 180C (375F) and grease and line a large roasting dish.
- Sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda. Add salt.
- Beat eggs in a large bowl, add sugar and oil. Mix in carrot and pineapple until blended.
- Incorporate sifted flour mix bit-by-bit and stir until just combined.
- Bake in oven for 1 hour 1 hour 15 minutes or until cake starts shrinking from sides. Insert skewer, if it comes out clean then its cooked.
- Rest cake in tin for 15 minutes and then turn onto wire cooling tray.
- FROSTING.
- Beat butter, vanilla and cream cheese together in a mixer.
- Add icing sugar slowly until the frosting is a smooth consistancy.
- Frost cake when cold.
CARROT CAKE
You've got enough frosting to fill the layers and cover the sides and top of the cake, but Dorie Greenspan covers each layer generously, so generously that when the next layer goes on the frosting ripples out around the edges. Then just swirl the frosting over the top, leaving the sides bare.
Provided by Dorie Greenspan
Categories brunch, lunch
Time 1h45m
Yield 8 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- For the cake: Position the racks to divide the oven into thirds and preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour three 9-inch round, 2-inch deep cake pans, flour the insides and tap out the excess.
- Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt and set aside. In another bowl, stir together the carrots, chopped nuts, coconut and raisins.
- Working in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a whisk, beat the sugar and oil together until smooth. Add the eggs one by one and continue to beat until the batter is even smoother. If you are working in a mixer, reduce the speed to low, if you're working by hand switch to a large rubber spatula, and gently stir in the flour mixture - mix only until the dry ingredients disappear. Just as gently, stir in the chunky ingredients.
- Divide the batter among the baking pans and slide the pans into the oven. Bake the cakes for 40 to 50 minutes, rotating the pans top to bottom and front to back at the midway point. The cakes are properly baked when a knife inserted into the centers of the cakes comes out clean; the cakes will just start to come away from the edges. Transfer the pans to cooling racks, cool for 5 minutes, then turn out onto racks to cool to room temperature. (At this point, the cakes can be wrapped airtight and kept at room temperature overnight or frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.)
- For the frosting: Working in a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and continue to beat until the frosting is velvety smooth. Beat in the lemon juice or extract.
- If you'd like to have coconut in the filling, scoop out about 1/2 of the frosting and stir the coconut into this portion.
- To frost the cake, place one layer of the cake, right-side up, on a cardboard round or a cake plate. If you've added coconut to the frosting, use half of coconut frosting to generously cover the first layer. Use an offset spatula or a spoon to smooth the frosting all the way to the edges of the layer. Top with the second layer, this time placing the cake top-side down. Frost with the remainder of the coconut frosting. Top with the last layer, right-side up and use the plain frosting to cover the top - and the sides, if you want - of the cake. Finish the top layer with swirls of frosting. If you want to top the cake with toasted nuts or coconut, sprinkle on these ingredients now, while the frosting is soft. Slide the cake into the refrigerator for 15 minutes, just to set the frosting.
- Serving: The cake can be served as soon as the frosting is set. It can also wait, at room temperature and covered with a cake keeper, overnight. The cake is best served in thick slices at room temperature and, while it's good plain, it's better with whipped cream, vanilla ice cream or even some lemon curd with a little whipped cream folded in.
- Storing: Covered the cake will keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. It can also be frozen, uncovered, and then, when it is firmed, wrapped airtight and kept in the freezer for up to 2 months; defrost, still wrapped, in the refrigerator overnight.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 969, UnsaturatedFat 33 grams, Carbohydrate 118 grams, Fat 54 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 18 grams, Sodium 580 milligrams, Sugar 92 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Mise en Place: Before starting, measure and prep all ingredients. This will ensure a smooth baking process.
- Use Fresh Carrots: Fresh carrots provide the best flavor and texture. If using store-bought, choose carrots that are firm and brightly colored.
- Grate Carrots Finely: Finely grated carrots distribute evenly throughout the cake, resulting in a uniform texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar Thoroughly: This step incorporates air into the mixture, creating a light and fluffy cake.
- Add Eggs One at a Time: Gradually adding eggs helps prevent the batter from curdling.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting flour, baking powder, and baking soda ensures even distribution and prevents lumps.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients Alternately: Adding the dry ingredients in three additions, alternating with milk, helps avoid overmixing.
- Do Not Overmix: Overmixing can result in a tough, dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Use a Bundt Pan: A Bundt pan allows for even baking and creates a beautiful presentation.
- Bake Until a Toothpick Inserted Comes Out Clean: This indicates that the cake is done baking.
- Let Cake Cool Completely Before Frosting: This will prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake.
Conclusion:
With these tips in mind, you'll be able to create a moist, flavorful carrot cake that will impress your family and friends. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, these recipes provide clear instructions and helpful tips to guide you through the process. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake a delicious carrot cake that's sure to be a hit!
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