Irresistible Carrot Cake Recipe You Must Taste

Moist, decadent carrot cake with cream cheese frosting has been a beloved dessert in bakeries for generations.

This traditional spiced carrot cake recipe brings warmth and comfort to every slice.

The secret ingredients blend perfectly to create a rich, tender texture that melts in your mouth.

Warm cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each bite, complementing the sweet, earthy carrots.

Packed with classic flavors and simple ingredients, you’ll want to make this cake for every special occasion.

The cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious, tangy finish that turns this dessert into a showstopper.

Get ready to bake a carrot cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 13

To Die For Carrot Cake – Ingredients You’ll Need

• Unsweetened Applesauce: Adds moisture and natural sweetness without extra fat, perfect for creating a tender cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a golden brown crust with soft crumb.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake's rich, smooth structure.
• Vanilla: Enhances overall flavor depth with warm, aromatic notes.
• Crushed Pineapple: Delivers extra moisture and subtle tropical sweetness.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cake's foundational structure and ensures proper texture.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavor profiles.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, comforting spice that complements carrot's natural flavor.

• Grated Carrots: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and signature cake texture.
• Shredded Sweetened Coconut: Introduces delightful tropical chewiness and additional sweetness.
• Chopped Nuts: Adds delicious crunch and nutty complexity to the cake's overall profile.

• Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, tangy base for classic frosting.
• Butter: Contributes richness and helps stabilize frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens frosting for perfect spreading consistency.
• Vanilla: Enhances frosting's overall flavor complexity.

Kitchen Must-Haves for Carrot Cake

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cake ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating butter, cream cheese, and creating fluffy frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Grater: Needed for shredding fresh carrots.
• 9×13-inch pan or 9-inch/8-inch cake pans: Primary baking vessel for the cake.
• Cooling rack: Helps cakes cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Spatula or offset spreader: Great for even frosting application.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center.
• Cake plate or stand: Provides beautiful presentation and serving surface.

Baking Directions for To Die For Carrot Cake

Step 1: Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a precise temperature that ensures golden, even baking.

Allow it to fully preheat while preparing your cake components.

Step 2: Wet Mixture Foundation

Whisk together eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly glossy.

This creates a moist, rich base for your batter.

Step 3: Dry Ingredients Harmony

Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.

Whisk gently to combine and avoid overworking the flour.

Step 4: Texture Enhancers

Fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped nuts using a spatula.

These mix-ins add flavor, moisture, and crunch to the batter.

Step 5: Pan Selection

Choose your desired cake pan, round for layer cakes or rectangular for sheet style.

Grease and line it to prevent sticking and promote clean edges.

Step 6: Baking Magic

Pour batter evenly into the pan and place it in the center of the oven.

Bake until a toothpick comes out clean and the top springs back gently.

Step 7: Cooling Strategy

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes.

Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Cream Cheese Whipping

Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until light and fluffy.

This forms the creamy base for your frosting.

Step 9: Sugar Integration

Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract.

Whip until smooth, thick, and spreadable.

Step 10: Layer Assembly

Slice your cake into even layers if desired.

Spread a generous amount of frosting between each one and stack carefully.

Step 11: Finishing Touches

Frost the top and sides of the cake with remaining frosting.

Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts around the edges for crunch and elegance.

Step 12: Chilling Technique

Place the frosted cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

This allows the frosting to set and flavors to meld beautifully.

Sweet Tips for the Ultimate Carrot Cake

• Grate carrots fresh for maximum moisture and texture, avoiding pre-shredded bagged carrots which can be dry and less flavorful.
• Swap pecans for walnuts or add raisins for extra sweetness, creating a personalized cake that suits your taste preferences.
• Bring eggs and cream cheese to room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and creamier frosting consistency.
• Store frosted cake in refrigerator up to 5 days, covering loosely with plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent drying out.
• Prepare cake layers in advance, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze up to 2 weeks for convenient entertaining and stress-free baking.

Carrot Cake Serving Inspiration

• Festive Frosting Finesse: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or chopped pecans on top of the cream cheese frosting for a stunning, professional bakery-style presentation that adds delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Seasonal Side Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to complement the cake's rich, moist texture and enhance the dessert experience.
• Elegant Plating Technique: Create elegant individual slices on dessert plates with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or powdered sugar, garnishing with a small mint leaf for a sophisticated touch that elevates the casual carrot cake.
• Beverage Pairing Perfection: Enjoy this decadent carrot cake with a steaming cup of chai tea, strong coffee, or a glass of cold milk to balance the sweetness and provide a comforting, harmonious flavor combination.

How to Store Your Carrot Cake Well

• Cake Freshness Guardian: Store your carrot cake in an airtight container inside the refrigerator, which keeps the cream cheese frosting stable and protects the cake's delicate texture for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual cake slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for a maximum of 3 months, ensuring a delightful dessert is always ready.
• Room Temperature Tips: Before serving a refrigerated cake, let it sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes to restore its soft, tender crumb and enhance the frosting's smooth consistency.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers in advance and store them wrapped in plastic film at room temperature for 1-2 days, or refrigerate for up to 3 days before final assembly and frosting.

Mouthwatering Carrot Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Homemade carrot cake blends rich cream cheese frosting with delicate spices and moist cake layers. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each memorable bite of this classic American sweet treat.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 2 cups (280 g) grated carrots
• 1 ¼ cups (296 ml) unsweetened applesauce
• 1 cup (240 ml) crushed pineapple (in juice, not syrup)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup (80 g) shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 cup (100 g) chopped nuts
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup (113 g) butter, softened
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 lb (454 g) powdered sugar
• Toasted pecans
• Toasted coconut

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F and coat a baking pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper.
2. Mixture Creation: Blend applesauce, sugar, and eggs in a large bowl until smooth and well-combined, creating a uniform base for the cake.
3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Gently fold sifted flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated without overmixing.
4. Flavor Enhancement: Stir in grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, vanilla extract, and crushed pineapple, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
5. Baking Process: Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top, and bake for 35-40 minutes until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cooling Stage: Rest the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Frosting Creation: Whip butter and cream cheese until fluffy, then gradually mix in vanilla and powdered sugar until achieving a smooth, spreadable consistency.
8. Finishing Touch: Once cooled, generously frost the cake, covering the entire surface and between layers if applicable, and optionally garnish with toasted pecans or additional coconut.
9. Serving Preparation: Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld and frosting to set before serving.

Notes

• Moisture Magic: Use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture and natural sweetness, avoiding pre-shredded bagged carrots which can be dry.
• Ingredient Intelligence: Pat crushed pineapple dry to prevent excess liquid from making cake soggy, ensuring perfect texture.
• Temperature Technique: Allow cream cheese and butter to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before making frosting to achieve smooth, lump-free consistency.
• Storage Savvy: Store cake covered in refrigerator for up to 5 days, bringing to room temperature 15-20 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 50 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg