The Easiest Carrot Snack Cake Recipe You’ll Absolutely Love

Carrot snack cake offers a delightful twist on traditional desserts, blending wholesome ingredients with sweet indulgence.

Nutritious root vegetables reinvent into a moist, tender treat that surprises taste buds with unexpected depth.

Home bakers love how simple ingredients can create something magically delicious and comforting.

Warm spices mingle with natural sweetness, creating a balanced flavor profile that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Soft texture and rich undertones make this cake a versatile option for casual gatherings or quiet afternoon treats.

The recipe celebrates fundamental baking techniques while delivering maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Health-conscious food lovers appreciate how this cake sneaks vegetables into a delectable dessert without compromising on taste.

A Snack Cake That’s Sweet and Spiced

• Effortless Baking Delight: This carrot snack cake recipe offers a simple, stress-free baking experience that even novice bakers can master with ease.
• Texture Wonderland: The cake delivers a perfect balance of moistness from the carrots and a delightful crunch from the pecans, creating a satisfying mouthfeel that keeps you coming back for more.
• Flavor Explosion: Warm cinnamon notes combined with sweet carrots and rich cream cheese frosting create a harmonious blend of comforting, indulgent flavors that dance on your taste buds.
• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: With just 20-22 minutes of baking time and minimal prep, this snack cake becomes an ideal treat for last-minute gatherings, potlucks, or spontaneous dessert cravings.

Ingredients That Give This Carrot Cake Its Punch

• All-Purpose Flour: A key base for the cake's structure and texture, choose unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, soft texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spice that complements the carrots.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.

• Granulated Sugar, Dark Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and moisture, brown sugar adds deeper caramel notes.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender, creates a softer crumb than butter.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings depth and warmth to the cake's flavor profile.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.

• Grated Carrots: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and nutritional value to the cake.
• Chopped Pecans: Provides crunch and nutty flavor, optional but recommended.
• Cream Cheese: Creates a rich, tangy base for the frosting.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Helps achieve a smooth, creamy frosting consistency.

How to Bake a Moist Carrot Snack Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dishes

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C)
• Grease two 9×9 inch baking dishes
• Line the dishes with parchment paper for easy removal

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Ground cinnamon
• Salt

Set the mixture aside

Step 3: Create Sugar Base

• Granulated sugar
• Dark brown sugar
• Vegetable oil

Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients

• Vanilla extract
• Eggs

Whisk until ingredients are well combined

Step 5: Blend Flour Mixture

Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, adding one cup at a time

Mix until just combined

Step 6: Fold in Extras

• Grated carrots
• Chopped pecans

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared baking dishes

Step 8: Bake the Cake

Bake for 20-22 minutes

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center- it should come out clean

Step 9: Create Creamy Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter

Blend until smooth

Step 10: Finish the Frosting

• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Ground cinnamon
• Heavy cream

Mix until smooth and creamy

Step 11: Frost and Serve

Allow cakes to cool completely

Spread frosting evenly over the cakes

Optional: Sprinkle additional chopped pecans on top

Slice and serve your delicious carrot snack cake!

Tips for Grated Veggies and Balanced Sweetness

• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour, sugars, and spices to ensure the cake's perfect texture and consistent flavor.
• Grate Carrots Finely: Shred carrots using the smallest holes on a box grater for a smoother cake texture and even distribution throughout the batter.
• Room Temperature Matters: Let eggs and cream cheese sit at room temperature for easier mixing and a more uniform cake consistency.
• Don't Overmix Batter: Fold ingredients gently to prevent tough, dense cake; stop mixing when flour is just incorporated.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Allow cakes to cool entirely to room temperature to prevent frosting from melting and ensure clean, crisp decoration.

How to Store This Cake and Keep It Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store leftover carrot snack cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping the frosting fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cake slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation.
• Reheat: Thaw frozen cake slices in the refrigerator overnight. Bring to room temperature before serving, or warm gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds to restore soft, moist texture.

What to Pair with Your Spiced Snack Cake

• Pair with Warm Chai Latte: The spicy, creamy chai perfectly complements the cake's cinnamon notes, creating a cozy flavor harmony that enhances the carrot cake's warmth.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the cake's rich, spiced texture, balancing the dessert with its creamy sweetness.
• Serve alongside Toasted Pecan Espresso: A strong espresso with roasted pecan undertones echoes the cake's nutty elements, cutting through the sweetness and offering a sophisticated taste experience.
• Enjoy with Salted Caramel Macchiato: The buttery caramel and slight salt enhance the cake's deep brown sugar and cream cheese frosting, creating a luxurious dessert pairing.

Carrot Cake Mix-Ins That Change the Game

• Tropical Carrot Delight: Enhance the cake by adding crushed pineapple and shredded coconut to the batter for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.
• Nutty Spice Variation: Replace pecans with toasted almonds and incorporate ground ginger and nutmeg for a warm, aromatic twist on the original recipe.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free baking blend to make the cake accessible for those with dietary restrictions.
• Vegan Carrot Creation: Use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, swap cream cheese frosting with cashew-based frosting, and select plant-based oil to create a completely dairy-free and egg-free version of the snack cake.

Easy Carrot Snack Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Homemade carrot snack cake delivers pure comfort with classic spices and moist crumb. Cream cheese frosting creates irresistible sweetness perfect for casual afternoon treats you’ll savor slowly.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups peeled carrots, grated (from about 5 medium carrots)
• 4 eggs, room temperature
• 1 ¼ cup vegetable oil
• ¾ cup chopped pecans

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 350°F, preparing two square baking vessels with a light grease and parchment paper lining for effortless cake removal.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients in a compact bowl, creating a harmonious blend of flour, baking soda, aromatic cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
3. In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously whisk granulated and dark brown sugars with vegetable oil until they form a smooth, glossy mixture.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract and eggs into the sugar base, whisking thoroughly to create a uniform, silky texture.
5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, introducing the flour gradually to ensure a lump-free batter.
6. Introduce freshly grated carrots and roughly chopped pecans, folding them delicately throughout the batter for even distribution.
7. Divide the batter equally between the prepared baking dishes, ensuring a balanced cake thickness.
8. Slide the pans into the preheated oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into the center.
9. While the cakes cool completely, craft a luxurious frosting by whipping cream cheese and butter until supremely smooth.
10. Gradually blend powdered sugar, vanilla extract, a whisper of cinnamon, and heavy cream into the cream cheese mixture, creating a velvety, spreadable frosting.
11. Once the cakes have reached room temperature, lavishly spread the frosting across the surface and optionally garnish with additional chopped pecans for a delightful crunch.

Notes

• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and smoother batter consistency.
• Use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture and natural sweetness in the cake.
• Toast pecans briefly before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, richer taste profile.
• Line baking dishes with parchment paper for easy cake removal and hassle-free cleanup.
• Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the cake is perfectly baked.
• Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure smooth, even coverage.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 483
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 270 mg
• Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg