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–+ servings

Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake is a timeless dessert that delivers warm spices, rich texture, and just the right touch of sweetness. Made with freshly grated carrots, warm cinnamon, and optional additions like crushed pineapple or chopped nuts, the cake is known for its incredibly moist crumb. Finished with a silky layer of tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s a beloved choice for holidays, birthdays, or any time a comfort-style dessert is called for.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Additional time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 18
Course: cake, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 574
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup chopped pecans Optional
Frosting
  • ½ cup butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans Optional

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • 2 (8-inch or 9-inch) round cake pans
  • Whisk or electric mixer
  • Box grater (for carrots)

Method
 

  1. Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
  2. Beat sugar, oil, eggs, and 2 teaspoons vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well combined.
  3. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in carrots, then fold in pecans.
  4. Pour into the prepared pan.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
  6. To make the frosting: Beat butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  7. Stir in chopped pecans.
  8. Frost the cooled cake. Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 574kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 5gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 347mgPotassium: 158mgFiber: 2gSugar: 50gVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 75mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Moist, spiced, and topped with tangy cream cheese frosting, this classic carrot cake is a forever favorite.

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