Classic Carrot Cake Made from Scratch with Cream Cheese Frosting

Best Carrot Cake

Get ready to bake the ultimate, best carrot cake! If you’re a fan of moist, flavorful desserts that perfectly combine sweetness with just the right amount of tang, then you’re in for a treat with this delightful and simple carrot cake recipe.

Picture this: wholesome, freshly grated carrots mixed with a blend of aromatic spices, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting that balances sweet and tangy notes. It’s a heavenly combination that creates a delicious dessert you won’t be able to resist!

What’s great about this recipe is its versatility. You can choose to bake it as a classic round cake, creating beautiful layers for a stunning presentation, or opt for easy-to-serve carrot bars that are perfect for gatherings and potlucks. Whatever you decide, we promise it’s going to be a crowd-pleaser!

And don’t worry if you’re not an experienced baker—this recipe is straightforward and allows you to achieve impressive results with minimal effort. As you mix the ingredients, the warm spices and sweet scents will fill your kitchen, making it an inviting space for family and friends.

Looking for more yummy recipes? You will love these apple cupcakes with caramel frosting, banana cake with cream cheese frosting, and classic yellow cake recipe.

carrot cake ingredients

All you need to make this delicious, moist cake are a few common ingredients:

• carrots, grated
• brown sugar
• raisins (optional)
• eggs
• granulated sugar
• vegetable oil
• vanilla extract
• crushed pineapple
• all-purpose flour
• ground cinnamon
• nutmeg
• baking soda
• salt
• chopped walnuts or pecans
• butter
• cream cheese
• confectioners sugar

Carrot Bars

Start by mixing grated carrots with some brown sugar in a medium bowl. Let that delightful combo sit for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Stir in raisins if using.

Carrot Cake recipe

In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the egg mixture until everything is well combined.

Simple carrot cake recipe

Carrot Bars recipe

Bake your cake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean—this should take about 45 to 50 minutes.

Once it’s done, let it cool in the pans for 10 minutes. After that, gently remove the cake and allow it to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Whip up some delicious cream cheese frosting! Just mix together softened butter, cream cheese, a splash of vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until it’s perfectly smooth. Trust me, it’s the perfect topping for your favorite treats!

 

 

 

Layer upon layer of deliciousness! Don’t forget to add a generous spread of cream cheese frosting on top and along the sides for that perfect finishing touch.

 

carrot bar cake

Pretty Carrot Cake

Make your cake extra special by adding additional chopped nuts to the bottom for an elegant touch.

best carrot cake ever

Classic Carrot Cake Made from Scratch with Cream Cheese Frosting

Beth Gorden

Get ready to bake the ultimate, best carrot cake! This delightful simple carrot cake recipe features wholesome carrots paired with a sweet and tangy frosting, creating a delicious treat you won’t be able to resist. Whether you choose to make it as carrot bars or a classic cake, it’s sure to become a favorite!

5 from 5 votes

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Course cake, cake recipes, Dessert, dessert recipe

Cuisine cake recipes, dessert, dessert recipes

Servings 16 servings

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 6 cups carrots grated
• 1 cup brown sugar packed
• 1 cup raisins optional
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup crushed pineapple drained
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans plus more for decorating

Instructions

 

Carrot Cake

• Start by mixing grated carrots with some brown sugar in a medium bowl. Let that delightful combo sit for an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Stir in raisins if using.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F. You can choose to bake in a 9×13 inch pan for bars or go for two 10-inch round cake pans for a stunning layered look. Don’t forget to grease and flour your pans!
• Begin by beating some eggs in a large bowl until they’re nice and light in color. Next, gradually mix in white sugar, oil, and a splash of vanilla extract. Finally, stir in some crushed pineapple for that extra moisture and flavor.
• In a separate bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Gradually fold this dry mixture into the egg mixture until everything is well combined.
• Gently fold in the carrot mixture and chopped walnuts, then divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake your cake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean—this should take about 45 to 50 minutes.

  Once it’s done, let it cool in the pans for 10 minutes. After that, gently remove the cake and allow it to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Whip up some delicious cream cheese frosting! Just mix together softened butter, cream cheese, a splash of vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until it’s perfectly smooth. 
• Frost the cake and top with additional pipped carrots and/or nuts for a special touch. Cover and refrigerate leftovers.

Carrot cake from scratch

Get ready to bake the most AMAZING carrot cake ever! This deliciously simple recipe combines wholesome carrots with a sweet and tangy frosting that’s simply irresistible. Whether you whip it up as classic carrot bars or go for the traditional cake, this treat is sure to steal the spotlight and become your new favorite! Ready to impress your taste buds? Let’s get baking!