Description
This Best Homemade Carrot Cake is a moist, spiced dessert masterpiece with freshly grated carrots and rich cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, this foolproof recipe delivers incredible flavor and texture in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
- In another bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in grated carrots and nuts.
- Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla, beating until fluffy.
- Frost cooled cake layers generously with cream cheese frosting.
Notes
- Use freshly grated carrots for best moisture and texture
- Don’t overmix the batter to avoid dense cake
- Let cake cool completely before frosting
- Store refrigerated for up to 5 days
- Flavors improve after 1-2 days
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 580 Kcal
- Sugar: 62g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 72g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: best carrot cake, homemade carrot cake, moist carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, easy carrot cake recipe, classic carrot cake, spiced cake