Description
This moist and flavorful carrot cake is topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, it’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the grated carrots and chopped nuts (if using).
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting: In a bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until fluffy.
- Once the cakes have cooled, frost the top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Garnish with additional chopped nuts or grated carrots, if desired.
Notes
- Ensure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- Store any leftover cake in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, carrot cake recipe, best carrot cake, homemade carrot cake, cream cheese frosting
- Calories: 320kcal
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, carrot cake recipe, best carrot cake, homemade carrot cake, cream cheese frosting