Best 7 Best Carrot Cake Frosting Recipes

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Carrot cake is a classic dessert that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It is often served during Easter or as a birthday cake. The best carrot cake frosting is the one that perfectly complements the flavor of the cake. It should be light and fluffy, but also have enough body to hold its shape. The flavor should be sweet, but not too overpowering. There are many different variations of carrot cake frosting, but some of the most popular include cream cheese frosting, vanilla buttercream, and maple frosting. No matter what your preference, you are sure to find the perfect frosting for your carrot cake in this article.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

OLD-FASHIONED CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

A pleasingly moist cake, this treat is the one I requested that my mom make each year for my birthday. It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this homemade carrot cake is never enough-better than all the other carrot cakes recipes I've tried!-Kim Orr, West Grove, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups grated carrots
FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk
1 cup chopped walnuts, optional
Orange and green food coloring, optional

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and oil. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; beat into egg mixture. Stir in carrots., Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in another large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Add enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Reserve 1/2 cup frosting for decorating if desired. If desired, stir walnuts into remaining frosting. , Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. If decorating the cake, tint 1/4 cup reserved frosting orange and 1/4 cup green. Cut a small hole in the corner of pastry or plastic bag; insert #7 round pastry tip. Fill the bag with orange frosting. Pipe twelve carrots on top of cake, so each slice will have a carrot. Using #67 leaf pastry tip and the green frosting, pipe a leaf at the top of each carrot. , Store cake in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 531 calories, Fat 28g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 203mg sodium, Carbohydrate 68g carbohydrate (54g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

AWESOME CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Awesome Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

This straightforward recipe delivers moist, dense, and delicious carrot cake with pineapple under a cream cheese frosting.

Provided by Tracy Kirk

Categories     Desserts     Frostings and Icings     Cream Cheese

Time 1h40m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 cups grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
¾ cup chopped pecans
3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
½ cup butter, softened
1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
  • In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in eggs, oil, 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, pineapple and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
  • To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until smooth, then stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Spread on cooled cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.2 calories, Carbohydrate 46.5 g, Cholesterol 48.3 mg, Fat 19.6 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 259.8 mg, Sugar 36.3 g

CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting image

This is a tall, moist carrot cake, light in texture and lightly spiced with cinnamon and touch of nutmeg. Heavy cream whipped into the cream cheese frosting makes it extra fluffy.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 3h

Yield 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Cooking spray
2 cups pecan halves
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Kosher salt
4 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups finely grated carrots (about 1 pound carrots)
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 pound cream cheese, cut into cubes, at room temperature
2 sticks unsalted butter, cut into cubes, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Kosher salt
1/4 cup heavy cream, cold

Steps:

  • For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.
  • Spread the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until light brown and fragrant, 7 minutes. Set aside 12 pecan halves to decorate the finished cake; chop the remaining pecans. Set aside 1 cup of the chopped pecans to use in the batter; reserve the rest for decorating the finished cake.
  • Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl.
  • Whisk together the eggs and granulated sugar in a large bowl until smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk in the oil until well combined. Add the grated carrots, vanilla and 1 cup chopped pecans, and mix well. Add the dry ingredients, and stir until just combined. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the cakes are nicely browned, about 30 minutes. Let cool on a cooling rack for 10 minutes. Loosen the edges with a spatula, turn the cakes out and let cool completely, right-side up, on the cooling rack, about 2 hours. Remove the parchment before frosting.
  • For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, scraping down the side as necessary, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla and 1/2 teaspoon salt; gradually increase the mixer speed to medium-high, and beat until the sugar is incorporated and the frosting is fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes. With the mixer on medium-high, add the cream a few drops at time until it's all incorporated. Continue beating for 1 more minute until the frosting is slightly lighter in color and creamy.
  • To assemble: Place one of the cake layers on a serving plate, and spread 1 cup of the frosting over the top. Top with the other layer, and use the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake. Arrange the 12 whole pecans on top of the cake like the numbers on a clock face, and sprinkle the remaining chopped pecans in between.

EASY CREAM CHEESE FROSTING FOR CARROT CAKE



Easy Cream Cheese Frosting for Carrot Cake image

Use this simple cream-cheese frosting generously on our Carrot Cake.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes

Yield Makes enough for one 9-inch, three-layer cake

Number Of Ingredients 4

16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and brought to room temperature
2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Steps:

  • Beat cream cheese and vanilla with a mixer on medium speed until creamy. Gradually add butter, beating until incorporated after each addition.
  • Reduce speed to low. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, and beat until fluffy and smooth.

BEST CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



Best Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting image

This is by far the best carrot cake recipe I've ever had. You can substitute the pecans for walnuts if you prefer. Both are tasty. This recipe is also very easy because you don't have to worry too much about sifting the dry ingredients and making the batter perfectly smooth.

Provided by HocoRuco

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h5m

Yield 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
8 ounces cream cheese
1 (16 ounce) box powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine
2 teaspoons vanilla

Steps:

  • First prepare the cake.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine all cake ingredients (brown sugar, oil, eggs, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, carrots and pecans) in a large bowl.
  • Pour batter into a 13x9 inch cake pan or two 8 inch round cake pans that have been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes (if using 13x9) or until toothpick comes out clean but cake is still moist.
  • Allow cake to cool and prepare cream cheese frosting.
  • In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla.
  • Cover cooled cake with frosting, slice and serve.
  • You may want to keep it in the fridge if you aren't going to be eating it right away because of the cream cheese in the frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 926.1, Fat 51.2, SaturatedFat 12.6, Cholesterol 111.6, Sodium 502.8, Carbohydrate 113.2, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 89.8, Protein 7.4

THE BEST CARROT CAKE YOU'LL EVER EAT RECIPE BY TASTY



The Best Carrot Cake You'll Ever Eat Recipe by Tasty image

Hand-grating carrots is a labor of love that gives this recipe the ultimate carrot flavor and delicate texture we love in our cake. Not to be outdone, the luscious cream cheese frosting has real vanilla bean to take this cake to the next level. This is the best carrot cake we have ever made.

Provided by Matt Ciampa

Categories     Bakery Goods

Time 1h40m

Yield 12 servings

Number Of Ingredients 24

nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
2 lb large carrot, peeled
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 ¾ teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 cups light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 tablespoon McCormick® vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
2 sticks butter, softened
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 vanilla bean, seeds scraped
3 cups powdered sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line the bottoms of 3 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and grease with nonstick spray.
  • Make the cake: Grate the carrots on the large holes of a box grater. You should have about 6 cups.
  • In a large bowl, combine the grated carrots and buttermilk and stir until the carrots are completely coated.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose and whole wheat flours, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda, cloves, allspice and nutmeg.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment (or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer), combine the brown and granulated sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until the mixture drips from the whisk in ribbons, about 3 minutes.
  • With the mixer running on medium speed, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through, if necessary. Continue mixing until the mixture is fully emulsified, about 2 minutes.
  • Add ⅓ of the flour mixture and mix on low speed until just combined. Add ½ of the carrot mixture and continue mixing on low speed until incorporated. Continue alternating adding the flour and carrot mixture. Remove the bowl from the mixer and use a flat rubber spatula to bring the batter together.
  • Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let the cakes cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and let cool completely.
  • Make the frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with an electric hand mixer), cream together the butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, salt, and vanilla bean seeds until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar and continue mixing until silky and smooth, about 4 minutes.
  • Assemble the cake: Dab a bit of frosting on a cake board and place a cake layer on top. Scoop 1 cup of frosting onto the cake. Repeat with the remaining 2 layers. Use the remaining frosting to coat the top of the cake completely, leaving the sides naked.
  • Slice and serve.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 755 calories, Carbohydrate 107 grams, Fat 33 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 10 grams, Sugar 74 grams

BEST EVER CARROT CAKE & FROSTING



Best Ever Carrot Cake & Frosting image

This came out of the New Better Homes and Garden Cookbook. Made it for a church function and got rave reviews and I truly do think it is the Best Ever Carrot Cake I have made and I've made several. Enjoy!

Provided by vlynn

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h

Yield 1 cake, 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

4 beaten eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3 cups finely shredded carrots, lightly packed
3/4 cup cooking oil
cream cheese frosting (any will do)
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted (optional)

Steps:

  • Allow eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, grease and flour two 9x1 1/2 inch round cake pans; set pans aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda.
  • In a medium bowl combine eggs, carrots, and oil. Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir until combined. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
  • Bake at 350 oven for 30-35 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean.
  • Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely on racks.
  • Frost tops and side with frosting. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans over frosting. Store cake in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • *The carrots need to be finely shredded or they may sink to the bottom of pan during baking.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 361.4, Fat 15.6, SaturatedFat 2.3, Cholesterol 70.5, Sodium 155.7, Carbohydrate 52.2, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 34.7, Protein 4.5

Tips:

  • To enhance the flavor of your carrot cake frosting, consider adding a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  • For a richer and creamier frosting, use full-fat cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream.
  • If you want a lighter and fluffier frosting, whip the cream cheese and butter until light and airy before adding the powdered sugar.
  • To achieve a perfectly smooth frosting, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before using.
  • For a beautiful presentation, pipe the frosting onto the carrot cake using a pastry bag fitted with a star tip.
  • Store the frosted carrot cake in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving.

Conclusion:

Carrot cake is a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist and flavorful cake layers and creamy, tangy frosting, it's sure to be a hit with everyone. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can create a carrot cake frosting that is both delicious and beautiful. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give this carrot cake frosting a try. You won't be disappointed!

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