Few desserts are as comforting and indulgent as a slice of moist, spiced carrot cake topped with creamy frosting. Bursting with flavor from fresh carrots, warm spices, and optional nuts or raisins, this cake feels like a hug in every bite. Perfect for birthdays, afternoon treats, or a special dessert, it’s a classic with a twist of decadence.
Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake
✔️ Moist & Tender – Soft, fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.
✔️ Naturally Sweet – Carrots and optional raisins provide subtle sweetness.
✔️ Customizable – Add nuts, pineapple, or coconut for extra flair.
✔️ Beginner-Friendly – Easy to make but impressive enough for guests.
Classic Carrot Cake
Ingredients (for a 9-inch cake or 12 cupcakes):
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 tsp baking powder
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1 ½ tsp baking soda
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1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
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½ tsp ground nutmeg
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½ tsp salt
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1 ½ cups sugar (or brown sugar)
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1 cup vegetable oil
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4 large eggs
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2 cups grated carrots
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Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts, ½ cup crushed pineapple, or ½ cup raisins
Cream Cheese Frosting:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups powdered sugar
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1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round pan (or muffin tins for cupcakes).
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
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In another bowl, beat together sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth.
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Gradually fold in dry ingredients, then stir in grated carrots and any optional add-ins.
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Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and bake for 35–40 minutes (or 20–25 minutes for cupcakes), until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Let cakes cool completely before frosting.
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To make frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Frost the cooled cake generously.
Tip: For the ultimate moist cake, use freshly grated carrots and avoid overmixing the batter — it keeps the crumb light and tender.
Flavor Variations
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Pineapple-Carrot Cake: Fold in ½ cup crushed pineapple for tropical sweetness.
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Nutty Carrot Cake: Add ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans for crunch.
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Spiced Up: Sprinkle in ¼ tsp cloves or ginger for a warm, autumnal kick.
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Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based cream cheese.
Pro Tip: Perfectly Even Frosting
Use an offset spatula to smooth the cream cheese frosting. Chill the cake for 20 minutes before slicing to get clean, neat slices that look as stunning as they taste.
Explore our selection of offset spatulas here!
