Carrot cake, a classic dessert known for its irresistible flavors and colorful appearance, holds a special place in the culinary world. If you're looking to embark on a delightful baking journey and create a truly exceptional carrot cake experience, look no further. This comprehensive guide will take you on a culinary adventure, providing you with the best recipes and expert tips to create a moist, flavorful, and visually stunning carrot cake that will leave your taste buds tingling with joy. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, we've got you covered with a diverse selection of recipes that cater to every skill level and preference.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
INCREDIBLY MOIST AND EASY CARROT CAKE
This is the best carrot cake recipe I've ever used. We prefer to use a hand grater when preparing the carrots since it creates delicate carrot shreds that melt into the cake batter. Pre-shredded bags or shredding carrots using a food processor are also options, but the carrot shreds will be larger. This recipe is forgiving. You can make this with or without the nuts or raisins. We love the combination of granulated and brown sugar, but if you only have one of them, use it, and the cake will still be delicious. Frosting: Our creamy frosting recipe shared below is not a traditional cream cheese frosting. Thanks to whipped cream, it's creamier and has soft peaks (you can see it in our video). We love it, but if you prefer a more traditional frosting, see the tips section below the recipe. We have provided instructions for a classic cream cheese frosting that works nicely with this cake.
Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield Makes 1 (9-inch) double layer cake (16 thin slices) or 22 to 24 cupcakes
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Position a rack in the middle of the oven. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottom with parchment paper and then grease the top. Or grease and flour the bottom and sides of both pans.
- Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176C).
- Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until very well blended.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking after each one.
- Switch to a large rubber spatula. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then add the dry ingredients in three parts, gently stirring until they disappear and the batter is smooth.
- Stir in the carrots, nuts, and raisins.
- Divide the cake batter between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake until the tops of the cake layers are springy when touched and when a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes.
- Cool cakes in the pans for 15 minutes, then carefully turn the cake layers out onto cooling racks. Remove the parchment paper and cool completely. If you find that a cake layer is sticking to the bottom of the pan, leave the cake pan upside down and allow gravity to do its thing.
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a handheld mixer on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
- Beat in the powdered sugar, a 1/4 cup at a time, until fluffy.
- Pour in the whipping cream. Beat on medium speed for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the frosting is whipped and creamy. This frosting resembles the texture of whipped cream. Chill covered until ready to frost the cake.
- When the cake layers are completely cool, frost the top of one cake layer, and place the second cake layer on top.
- Add the remaining frosting to the top of the carrot cake and use a butter knife or small spatula to swirl the frosting around. Leave the sides of the cake unfrosted. Finish with a handful of nuts on top.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 slice (1 of 16), Calories 535, Fat 33.4g, SaturatedFat 6.9g, Cholesterol 69.3mg, Sodium 315.9mg, Carbohydrate 56.4g, Fiber 2.4g, Sugar 40.5g, Protein 5.6g
CARROT CAKE FOR TWO
If you avoid baking a cake because there aren't enough people in your home to help you eat it, then we have the solution: Make just one slice. We've scaled down a regular recipe so you won't be stuck with leftovers.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories dessert
Time 2h55m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9-by-2-inch round cake pan with parchment, and lightly coat with cooking spray. Toast the pecans on a small baking sheet until lightly browned and fragrant, about 8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Make a big well in the center so you can see the bottom of the bowl. Working within the well, add the sugar and egg and beat with a fork until well combined, then add the oil and vanilla and beat with the fork. Stir the dry and wet ingredients together with the fork until just combined. Fold in the carrots and pecans.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Let the cake cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 20 minutes, then turn it out of the pan, remove the parchment and let cool completely, right-side up, on the rack, about 1 hour.
- For the frosting: Process the cream cheese and butter in a food processor until completely combined and smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape the bottom and side of the bowl. Add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, and process until just combined. Transfer to a small bowl.
- To assemble: Cut the cake into 4 even wedges, as if you were cutting up a pie. Frost the top of each wedge with about 3 tablespoons of frosting (an offset spatula helps spread the frosting evenly). Stack the frosted wedges directly on top of each other on a serving plate, resulting in a 4-layer slice of cake with frosting between the layers and on top. Completely cover the curved back side of the cake with the remaining frosting, and leave the 2 remaining sides open. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Cut the wedge in half, and serve.
OLD-FASHIONED CARROT CAKE
MY FAMILY thinks this is the best carrot cake ever! We love the moist texture. The surprise is in the frosting. It's a pleasant departure from the usual cream cheese frosting that tops most carrot cakes. This cake doesn't last very long around our house! -Muriel Doherty, Phoenix, Arizona
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 1h25m
Yield 16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, carrots, cream cheese and oil until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually add to carrot mixture. Stir in pineapple and nuts. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove to a wire rack to cool. , In a heavy saucepan, cook and stir flour and milk over medium-low heat until a thick paste forms, about 10 minutes. Chill for 30 minutes. In a large mixer, cream the butter, sugars and salt until light and fluffy. Beat in the chilled flour mixture until smooth, about 5 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Frost cake. Sprinkle with nuts.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 652 calories, Fat 40g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 93mg cholesterol, Sodium 537mg sodium, Carbohydrate 69g carbohydrate (52g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.
CARROT CAKE (CAKE MIX)
this is delicious, I started making it with a Duncan Hines carrot cake mix in the 1980's and had to switch to Betty Crocker when Duncan stopped making it. I actually made it for Miss Picky's first birthday and she will be 25 in June. The pineapple and raisins really make it moist and the the chopped pecans add a different texture. Try it with cream cheese frosting.
Provided by mandabears
Categories Dessert
Time 55m
Yield 1 bundt cake
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease and flour a bundt pan.
- I use Bakers Joy spray.
- Beat cake mix, water (milk), oil, eggs and pineapple on low speed 3 minutes.
- Stir in nuts and raisins.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 50-55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pan 15 minutes.
- Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
- Cool at least 1 hour before frosting.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 4193.9, Fat 216, SaturatedFat 32.8, Cholesterol 846, Sodium 3723.5, Carbohydrate 527.3, Fiber 10.7, Sugar 80.4, Protein 66.9
CARROT CAKE
Carrot Cake is one of those classic recipes that works so well for any celebration. The bright orange color offset by creamy white frosting makes Carrot Cake the star of any dessert tray. As the name implies, the shredded carrots give this easy Carrot Cake recipe its bright color, but the taste is subtle. Warm cinnamon and vanilla help create a swoon-worthy flavor as you bite into the moist, dense cake. One of the best parts of Carrot Cake is the famous sweet-and-tangy cream cheese frosting. Follow our homemade recipe, or save time, and substitute Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Cream Cheese Frosting instead.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Dessert
Time 1h5m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of one 13x9-inch pan or two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans with shortening; lightly flour. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt; beat on low speed 1 minute. Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into pan(s).
- Bake 13x9-inch pan 40 to 45 minutes, round pans 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rectangle in pan on cooling rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
- In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Frost 13x9-inch cake or fill and frost round layers with frosting. Sprinkle nutmeg on frosted cake, if desired. Store in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 440, Carbohydrate 46 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Fat 5, Fiber 2 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 3 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 230 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 0 g
WACKY CAKE VIII
This cake is make without milk or eggs and is moist, dark and delicious. A brain child of the depression era when ingenious cooks developed a cake that could be made without expensive and scarce ingredients.
Provided by Mary Knipe
Categories Desserts Cakes Chocolate Cake Recipes
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Sift flour, sugar, salt, soda, and cocoa together into an 8x8 inch ungreased cake pan. Make three depressions. Pour oil into one well, vinegar into second, and vanilla into third well. Pour water over all, and stir well with fork.
- Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Frost with your favorite icing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 225.1 calories, Carbohydrate 35.5 g, Fat 8.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 2.4 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 243.1 mg, Sugar 20.1 g
CARROT CAKE III
I've tried many carrot cakes, and this is my favorite recipe. If you don't like pecans, feel free to leave them out.
Provided by Tammy Elliott
Categories Desserts Cakes Sheet Cake Recipes
Time 2h
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
- In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
- To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 574.6 calories, Carbohydrate 63.7 g, Cholesterol 68.8 mg, Fat 34.8 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 9.1 g, Sodium 347.2 mg, Sugar 49.9 g
HEALTHIER CARROT CAKE III
We made it with a little less oil and a little less sugar, so this carrot cake recipe is now healthier but still sure to be a favorite.
Provided by MakeItHealthy
Categories Desserts Cakes Carrot Cake Recipes
Time 2h30m
Yield 18
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
- Beat together eggs, oil, white sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
- To make frosting: Combine butter, Neufchatel cheese, confectioner's sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Spread frosting over completely cooled cake.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.5 calories, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 57.6 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 354.9 mg, Sugar 31.4 g
THE BEST CARROT CAKE YOU'LL EVER EAT RECIPE BY TASTY
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
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
CARROT CAKE VI
I received this recipe almost 50 years ago when I was on my first job. The carrots are precooked with the spices, making it very moist and delicious.
Provided by Erma Germino
Categories Desserts Cakes Spice Cake Recipes
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan, and line with wax paper.
- Combine water, sugar, raisins, grated carrots, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and butter in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Cool.
- In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, nuts, and salt. Stir in carrot mixture. Pour into prepared pan.
- Bake for 1 1/4 hours, or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 275 calories, Carbohydrate 50.6 g, Cholesterol 1.8 mg, Fat 7.5 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 4.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.1 g, Sodium 225.3 mg, Sugar 30.3 g
Tips:
- Use a good quality cream cheese. This will make a big difference in the taste of your cake.
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Be sure to cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will help your cake to be moist and tender.
- Grate the carrots finely. This will help them to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
- Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make your cake tough.
- Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting to set properly.
- If you're making the cake ahead of time, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
Carrot cake is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed all year round. With its moist and tender texture, sweet and tangy cream cheese frosting, and colorful carrots, it's sure to be a hit with everyone. So next time you're looking for a special treat, give carrot cake a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love