Description
This Traditional Carrot Cake is a moist and spiced classic, featuring freshly grated carrots, warm cinnamon, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, this beloved dessert delivers the perfect balance of flavors and textures that will make it your go-to carrot cake recipe.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 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
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- For the cream cheese frosting: 8 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 4 cups powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside. Grate carrots.
- Beat sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Fold in carrots and walnuts.
- Divide batter between two greased 9-inch pans. Bake 30-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Assemble cake by frosting between layers and covering the top and sides.
Notes
- For extra moisture, add 1/2 cup drained crushed pineapple to the batter.
- Store frosted cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Flavors develop and improve after 1-2 days.
- Freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 3 months.
- For gluten-free version, use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 520 Kcal
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: traditional carrot cake, homemade carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, moist carrot cake, classic carrot cake recipe, easy carrot cake, best carrot cake