Best 7 Old Fashioned Carrot Cake With Maple Cream Cheese Icing Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable flavors of Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing, a classic dessert that combines sweet, moist carrot cake with a rich, creamy maple frosting. This timeless recipe has been enjoyed for generations and continues to delight taste buds with its irresistible combination of flavors and textures.

The carrot cake itself is a symphony of warm spices, crunchy walnuts, and the natural sweetness of carrots, resulting in a moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The maple cream cheese icing adds a luscious layer of sweetness, with the tangy cream cheese perfectly complementing the earthy notes of maple syrup.

This article provides detailed instructions for both the carrot cake and the maple cream cheese icing, ensuring that even novice bakers can achieve success. Additional variations and tips are also included to help you customize the cake to your liking, whether you prefer a gluten-free version, a cream cheese frosting, or a decadent pecan topping.

So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will leave you and your loved ones craving more. Let's dive into the recipes and create a truly unforgettable Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Icing.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CARROT CAKE



Carrot Cake image

Beneath this towering yet unpretentious appearance lies multiple layers of moist, mildly spiced cake that are flecked with carrots and pecans and enveloped by a generous coating of cream cheese frosting.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pans
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup water
1 pound carrots (8 to 10 medium carrots), peeled and shredded on a box grater or in a food processor (about 2 3/4 cups)
2 cups pecans (1 cup finely chopped for batter, 1 cup coarsely chopped for decorating sides of cake)
Easy Cream Cheese Frosting for Carrot Cake

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter three 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper, and butter parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out excess. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg.
  • Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat 3 minutes. Add vanilla, water, and carrots. Beat until well combined, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and add flour mixture, then finely chopped pecans.
  • Scrape batter into prepared pans, dividing evenly. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let cool in pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around edges of cakes to loosen, and turn out cakes onto rack. Turn right side up, and let cool completely.
  • Using a serrated knife, trim rounded top of 2 cakes. Place one trimmed cake, cut side up, on a serving platter. Spread 1 cup frosting over cake. Top with second trimmed cake, cut side down. Spread 1 cup frosting over cake. Top with remaining cake. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides. Gently press coarsely chopped pecans onto sides of cake. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

OLD-FASHIONED CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this homemade carrot cake is never enough-better than all the other carrot cakes recipes I've tried!-Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups grated carrots
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk
1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
Orange and green food coloring, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and oil. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; beat into egg mixture. Stir in carrots., Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in another large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Add enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Reserve 1/2 cup frosting for decorating if desired. If desired, stir walnuts into remaining frosting. , Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. If decorating the cake, tint 1/4 cup reserved frosting orange and 1/4 cup green. Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert #7 round pastry tip. Fill the bag with orange frosting. Pipe twelve carrots on top of cake, so each slice will have a carrot. Using #67 leaf pastry tip and the green frosting, pipe a leaf at the top of each carrot. , Store cake in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 531 calories, Fat 28g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 203mg sodium, Carbohydrate 68g carbohydrate (54g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

CARROT CAKE WITH MAPLE-CREAM CHEESE ICING



Carrot Cake with Maple-Cream Cheese Icing image

Categories     Cake     Dessert     Bake     Cream Cheese     Carrot     Fall     Maple Syrup     Bon Appétit     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Cake
2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups canola oil
4 large eggs
3 cups grated peeled carrots
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons minced peeled ginger
Icing
10 ounces cream cheese (such as Philadelphia), room temperature
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
12 walnut halves (for garnish)

Steps:

  • For cake:
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Butter and flour paper; tap out excess flour. Whisk flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in medium bowl to blend. Whisk sugar and oil in large bowl until well blended. Whisk in eggs 1 at a time. Add flour mixture and stir until blended. Stir in carrots, walnuts and ginger. Divide batter between prepared pans.
  • Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes. Turn out onto racks. Peel off waxed paper; cool cakes completely.
  • For icing:
  • Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and butter in large bowl until light and fluffy. Add powdered sugar and beat at low speed until well blended. Beat in maple syrup. Chill until just firm enough to spread, 30 minutes.
  • Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 cup icing. Top with second layer. Spread remaining icing over entire cake. Arrange walnut halves around top edge. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.)

OLD-FASHIONED CARROT CAKE



Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake image

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

4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
3 cups finely shredded carrots
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped walnuts
FLUFFY FROSTING:
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional chopped walnuts

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.

OLD FASHIONED CARROT CAKE



Old Fashioned Carrot Cake image

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

2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons cinnamon (heaping)
1 1/2 cups olive oil
4 eggs
4 -5 cups grated carrots
1 (250 g) package cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2-2 1/2 cups icing sugar

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!

AWESOME CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Awesome Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

This straightforward recipe delivers moist, dense, and delicious carrot cake with pineapple under a cream cheese frosting.

Provided by Tracy Kirk

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Cream Cheese

Time 1h40m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 cups grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
¾ cup chopped pecans
3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
½ cup butter, softened
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in eggs, oil, 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, pineapple and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
  • To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until smooth, then stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Spread on cooled cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.2 calories, Carbohydrate 46.5 g, Cholesterol 48.3 mg, Fat 19.6 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 259.8 mg, Sugar 36.3 g

CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

This Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is from reader Julie Haifley of Washington, D.C. It's a classic combination that works for a number of occassions, like Easter.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cake Recipes

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 13

1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus more for baking dish
2 cups all-purpose flour, (spooned and leveled)
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt
3 large eggs
3 cups loosely packed finely grated carrots (3 to 4 medium)
Cream Cheese Frosting for Carrot Cake

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with oil; set aside. In a food processor, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, cloves, and nutmeg; process to combine. Add sugar and yogurt; process until combined.
  • With processor running, add oil and then eggs, one at a time, processing until combined. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in carrots.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan.
  • Meanwhile, make frosting. With an offset spatula or a butter knife, spread frosting over top of cake. To serve, cut into squares.

Tips:

  • For a moist and flavorful carrot cake, use freshly grated carrots. Avoid using pre-packaged or shredded carrots, as they tend to be dry and lack flavor.
  • Be sure to measure your flour correctly. Too much flour can make the cake dry and dense. Use a kitchen scale to measure your flour for the most accurate results.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake. Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking can dry out the cake.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting it. This will help prevent the frosting from melting.
  • For a smooth and creamy maple cream cheese icing, use softened cream cheese and butter. Be sure to beat the cream cheese and butter until they are light and fluffy before adding the maple syrup.
  • Store the carrot cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Conclusion:

This old-fashioned carrot cake with maple cream cheese icing is a delicious and classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist and flavorful carrot cake and creamy maple cream cheese icing, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give this carrot cake a try. You won't be disappointed!

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