Best 4 The Best Homemade Carrot Cake Recipes

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Carrot cake is a moist and flavorful dessert that is perfect for any occasion. It is made with grated carrots, flour, sugar, eggs, oil, and spices, and is often topped with a cream cheese frosting. Carrot cake is a popular choice for birthday parties, potlucks, and holiday gatherings.

This article provides three different recipes for carrot cake: a classic carrot cake, a gluten-free carrot cake, and a vegan carrot cake. The classic carrot cake is made with all-purpose flour, while the gluten-free carrot cake is made with almond flour and oat flour. The vegan carrot cake is made with plant-based ingredients, such as almond milk, coconut oil, and flax eggs.

Each recipe includes detailed instructions and a list of ingredients. The recipes also include tips for making the perfect carrot cake, such as how to grate the carrots, how to measure the ingredients, and how to bake the cake.

Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, you will be able to find a carrot cake recipe in this article that is perfect for you. So preheat your oven and get ready to bake a delicious and moist carrot cake that will be the star of your next party or gathering.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BEST CARROT CAKE



Best Carrot Cake image

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

1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups shredded carrots
1 can (8 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

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



The Best Carrot Cake image

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

Nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 1/2 cups pecans
1 pound carrots, peeled, coarsely grated
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup vegetable oil
3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, at room temperature
Four 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, at room temperature
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

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 EVER



Best Carrot Cake Ever image

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

6 cups grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup raisins
4 eggs
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts

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

CARROT CAKE



Carrot Cake image

Carrot Cake is one of those classic recipes that works so well for any celebration. The bright orange color offset by creamy white frosting makes Carrot Cake the star of any dessert tray. As the name implies, the shredded carrots give this easy Carrot Cake recipe its bright color, but the taste is subtle. Warm cinnamon and vanilla help create a swoon-worthy flavor as you bite into the moist, dense cake. One of the best parts of Carrot Cake is the famous sweet-and-tangy cream cheese frosting. Follow our homemade recipe, or save time, and substitute Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting instead.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups Gold Medal™ All-Purpose Flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded carrots (5 medium)
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 to 3 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
Nutmeg, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of one 13x9-inch pan or two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans with shortening; lightly flour. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt; beat on low speed 1 minute. Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into pan(s).
  • Bake 13x9-inch pan 40 to 45 minutes, round pans 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rectangle in pan on cooling rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
  • In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Frost 13x9-inch cake or fill and frost round layers with frosting. Sprinkle nutmeg on frosted cake, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 46 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 230 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 0 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh carrots. Fresh carrots have a sweeter flavor and more nutrients than older carrots.
  • Grate the carrots finely. This will help them distribute evenly throughout the cake batter.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This is the best way to ensure that the cake is done.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly.
  • Use a cream cheese frosting. Cream cheese frosting is the classic frosting for carrot cake, and it's delicious!
  • Garnish the cake with chopped walnuts or pecans. This will add a nice crunch and flavor to the cake.

Conclusion:

Carrot cake is a delicious and easy-to-make cake that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist texture, sweet flavor, and creamy frosting, it's sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a special cake to make, give carrot cake a try. You won't be disappointed!

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