Best Carrot Cake Recipe

This incredibly moist and flavorful homemade carrot cake recipe is a classic for a reason. Made with simple ingredients and topped with creamy cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion from birthdays to family gatherings.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This carrot cake recipe stands out from the rest for so many reasons. First, it produces an exceptionally moist cake with the perfect crumb texture – never dry or dense. The balance of spices is just right, enhancing the natural sweetness of the carrots without overwhelming them.

What makes this recipe particularly special is how approachable it is for bakers of all skill levels. With simple ingredients you likely already have in your pantry and straightforward instructions, you’ll create a bakery-quality cake that will impress everyone who tries it.

The addition of applesauce keeps the cake wonderfully moist while reducing the amount of fat needed. And the cream cheese frosting? It’s the perfect complement to the spiced cake layers, creating that classic carrot cake experience that everyone loves.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

All-purpose flour forms the foundation of our cake, providing structure while maintaining a tender crumb. If you want an even lighter texture, cake flour can be substituted.

Baking soda and baking powder work together as leavening agents to give the cake its perfect rise. The combination of both ensures the cake remains light despite the moisture from the carrots and applesauce.

Fine sea salt enhances all the flavors in the cake and balances the sweetness. Don’t be tempted to skip it – salt is essential in baking!

Ground cinnamon provides that warm, signature spice that makes carrot cake so comforting. Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger if you enjoy more complex spice flavors.

Salted butter brings richness and flavor to the cake. Using it melted makes for easy mixing and contributes to the cake’s moist texture. Unsalted butter works fine too – just add a pinch more salt.

Granulated sugar and light brown sugar combine to provide the perfect sweetness. The brown sugar also adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that complements the carrots beautifully.

Unsweetened applesauce is the secret ingredient that makes this cake incredibly moist without adding excessive fat. It also lends a subtle fruity sweetness that enhances the overall flavor profile.

Eggs bind everything together and provide structure to the cake. Make sure they’re at room temperature for the best incorporation.

Vanilla extract adds that warm, aromatic quality that rounds out all the flavors in the cake. Pure vanilla extract gives the best flavor, but imitation works in a pinch.

Carrots are, of course, the star of the show. Finely grated carrots distribute evenly throughout the batter, providing moisture, natural sweetness, and that signature fleck of orange color throughout each slice.

Optional mix-ins like crushed pecans, walnuts, or raisins can add texture and additional flavor dimensions to your cake. These are completely customizable based on your preferences.

Cream cheese frosting is the traditional and perfect pairing for carrot cake, offering a tangy contrast to the sweet, spiced cake layers.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line 2 round 6″ cake pans with parchment paper (trace the bottom on parchment with “handles” like this =o=) and grease the sides.
3. Combine flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon in a small bowl, set aside.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps.
5. Add eggs, applesauce, and vanilla and whisk to combine.
6. Add dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and stir until the batter is smooth.
7. Stir in carrots and desired mix-ins (optional) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans (about 1 ½ cups of batter per pan) and spread the batter in an even layer in each pan.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is set and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Let cool in the cake pans for at least 30 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11. Make the cream cheese frosting.
12. When the cake is cooled, spread the frosting in between the cake layers, then all around the outside of the cake. Pipe designs if desired, and garnish with chopped nuts, etc.
13. Chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight. Then serve cold or at room temperature.

Servings and Timing

This carrot cake recipe yields approximately 16 servings. It’s perfect for gatherings or family celebrations.

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 1 hour (minimum)
Total time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Each serving contains approximately 151 calories (without frosting).

Variations

Pineapple Carrot Cake: Add 1/2 cup of crushed, well-drained pineapple to the batter for extra moisture and tropical sweetness.

Spiced Carrot Cake: Enhance the spice profile by adding 1/4 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, ginger, and cloves alongside the cinnamon.

Coconut Carrot Cake: Fold in 1/2 cup of shredded, unsweetened coconut to the batter for texture and flavor. You can also sprinkle toasted coconut on the frosting.

Sheet Cake Version: Instead of round layers, pour the batter into a 9×13 inch pan and bake for 35-40 minutes for an easier, potluck-friendly version.

Carrot Cake Cupcakes: Divide the batter among 18-20 lined muffin cups and bake for 18-22 minutes for individual servings.

Healthier Version: Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour and reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup for a slightly heartier, less sweet cake.

Gluten-Free Option: Substitute a high-quality 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerator Storage: Due to the cream cheese frosting, this carrot cake should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Freezing Individual Slices: Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Place in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Freezing Unfrosted Cake Layers: If you want to prepare ahead, the unfrosted cake layers freeze beautifully. Wrap each cooled layer tightly in plastic wrap, place in a ziplock bag or airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before frosting.

Freezing Frosted Cake: You can freeze the entire frosted cake by placing it in the freezer until hardened, then wrapping tightly with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving.

Important Note: Never microwave or heat this cake in the oven to thaw or warm it, as this will melt the frosting and potentially dry out the cake.

FAQs

Why is my carrot cake dense instead of fluffy?

Dense carrot cake usually results from overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Mix the batter just until ingredients are combined, and measure flour by spooning it into measuring cups rather than scooping directly from the container. Also, ensure your leavening agents (baking powder and soda) are fresh.

Can I use pre-shredded carrots from the store?

While convenient, pre-shredded carrots are often too thick and dry for carrot cake. For best results, freshly grate your carrots using the fine side of a box grater. The moisture and fine texture of freshly grated carrots contribute to the cake’s signature moistness.

How fine should I grate the carrots?

For the best texture, use the fine side of a box grater. Finely grated carrots distribute more evenly throughout the batter and provide more moisture than coarsely grated ones. They also cook more thoroughly during baking.

Can I make this cake without eggs?

Yes, you can replace the eggs with egg substitutes. For each egg, you can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce, 1/4 cup of mashed banana, or a commercial egg replacer following package directions. The texture may be slightly different but still delicious.

Why use applesauce in carrot cake?

Applesauce adds moisture while reducing the amount of fat needed in the recipe. It also contributes natural sweetness and helps create a tender crumb. If you don’t have applesauce, you can substitute with an equal amount of canola oil.

Can I make this cake in advance for a special occasion?

Absolutely! This cake actually improves with time as the flavors meld. You can make it 1-2 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the unfrosted cake layers up to 3 months ahead.

Why did my frosting turn out runny?

Runny cream cheese frosting is usually caused by using cream cheese that’s too warm or over-beating the frosting. Make sure your cream cheese is cold but slightly softened, and beat just until smooth. If it’s already runny, refrigerate it for 30 minutes before using.

Can I add pineapple to this recipe?

Yes! Adding 1/2 cup of well-drained crushed pineapple will make the cake even more moist and add a tropical sweetness. Just be sure to drain it thoroughly to avoid adding too much liquid to the batter.

Is there a dairy-free option for this recipe?

You can make a dairy-free version by substituting the butter with canola oil or melted coconut oil, and using a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting. The texture and flavor will be slightly different but still enjoyable.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The cake is done when the top springs back lightly when touched, the edges have pulled slightly away from the pan, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but no wet batter). Don’t rely solely on time – check for these signs.

Conclusion

This homemade carrot cake recipe delivers everything you could want in a classic dessert – moist texture, perfect spice balance, and that irresistible cream cheese frosting. What makes it truly special is its versatility and forgiving nature – whether you’re a beginner baker or a seasoned pro, this recipe will yield impressive results every time.

The combination of simple pantry ingredients transforms into something magical in this cake. The natural sweetness of carrots, the warmth of cinnamon, and the tang of cream cheese create layers of flavor that keep everyone coming back for another slice.

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving something sweet and satisfying, this carrot cake recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection. The fact that it can be made ahead and even frozen makes it perfect for busy households and planned celebrations alike.

Give this recipe a try, and discover why homemade carrot cake continues to be one of the most beloved desserts of all time.

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