Carrot cake is a classic dessert loved by people of all ages. It's a moist and flavorful cake with a sweet cream cheese frosting. The best carrot cake is one that is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and baked to perfection. This recipe uses simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions to create a carrot cake that is sure to impress. It's perfect for any occasion, from birthday parties to holiday gatherings. This article also includes recipes for a variety of carrot cake variations, including a gluten-free carrot cake, a vegan carrot cake, and a carrot cake with pineapple. With so many delicious options to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect carrot cake recipe for your next special occasion.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
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
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 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.
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.
Tips:
- Prep Your Ingredients: Prior to beginning, ensure that all ingredients are measured accurately and at room temperature, particularly butter, cream cheese, and eggs, as this enables consistent texture and smooth batter.
- Use Fresh Carrots: For optimal flavor, choose fresh, crisp carrots. Shred them finely for even distribution throughout the cake.
- Creaming Butter and Sugar: Creaming butter and sugar together incorporates air, producing a light and fluffy texture. Ensure the mixture is pale yellow and fluffy before proceeding to the next step.
- Add Eggs One at a Time: Incorporate eggs one at a time, allowing each to fully blend before adding the next. This prevents curdling and ensures a smooth batter.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift together dry ingredients, including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This aerates the ingredients, resulting in a light and airy cake.
- Mixing the Batter: Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
- Baking the Cake: Preheat the oven to the specified temperature and bake the cake in a prepared pan until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Ensure not to overbake, as this can dry out the cake.
- Cooling and Frosting: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. This stabilizes the cake and prevents the frosting from melting. For the best results, cream the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy, then gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Decorating: Decorate the cake with your preferred toppings, such as shredded carrots, chopped nuts, or cream cheese frosting rosettes. This adds visual appeal and enhances the flavor.
Conclusion:
Indulge in the ultimate carrot cake experience with this meticulously crafted recipe. By following these comprehensive tips, you'll create a moist, flavorful cake with a velvety cream cheese frosting that will tantalize your taste buds. Remember to use fresh, high-quality ingredients, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, and alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet ingredients for optimal texture. This exceptional carrot cake will undoubtedly become a favorite in your baking repertoire, leaving a lasting impression on your family and friends.
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