Description
A moist and flavorful carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- For the Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until well combined.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts (if using).
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cake cools, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Once the cake is completely cool, frost the top with the cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- For extra moisture, you can add 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple (drained) to the batter along with the carrots.
- Ensure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for the smoothest frosting.
- Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, spice cake, dessert, baking, homemade cake