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Best Ever Carrot Cake Recipe

This easy to make carrot cake recipe guarantees a sweet, delicious and moist dessert with a tangy smooth cream cheese frosting that all will enjoy.

A close up view of a piece of carrot cake on fork.

Grandma’s Easy Carrot Cake Recipe

The classic combination of a sweet carrot cake with the tanginess of a cream cheese frosting is a tried and true recipe our family has been indulging in for years.

While the cream cheese frosting is delicious, our kids actually prefer it without. If we’re really feeling fancy, we simply sprinkle some icing sugar on top.

Overhead view of a carrot cake in a rectangular glass dish with white frosting. The carrot cake has been cut into 20 serving size squares.

The kids love this baked (healthier) treat for an afternoon snack. And we love to indulge in a piece with a fresh cup of coffee or delicious afternoon tea.

Carrot Cake Recipe Variations

For additional flavor options, consider adding raisins, shredded coconut or chopped walnuts to the carrot cake batter before baking.

Frosting

When preparing the frosting, ensure that the cream cheese as well as the butter are soft. Remove from the fridge prior to preparing to allow the ingredients enough time to soften at room temperature.

Before adding the creamy frosting, be sure to wait until the carrot cake cools completely. Afterwards, place the frosted carrot cake in the fridge and store it there until you’re ready to serve.

slice of delicious and moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting

Best Ever Carrot Cake Recipe

Jane and Sonja
A guaranteed sweet, delicious and moist dessert with this easy to make best-ever carrot cake recipe.
5 from 108 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 pieces
Calories 202 kcal

Equipment

  • stand mixer or electric mixer

Ingredients
  

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 cream cheese softened
  • 1/4 cup butter softened
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 9”x13” glass pan.
  • Preheat the oven to 365F.
  • Shred carrots.
  • In a medium sized bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
  • Using a stand mixer or electric mixer, beat eggs for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add brown sugar and mix until sugar is fully dissolved.
  • Slowly pour oil into the egg and sugar mixture. Continue mixing for a few minutes until ingredients are well blended and a creamy texture forms.
  • Add dry ingredients to the mixture and mix at a slow speed.
  • Lastly, add shredded carrots (and any other optional ingredients such as raisins or chopped walnuts) to batter and stir with a wooden spoon just until blended.
  • Bake at 365F for 30-40 minutes. Check that the cake is fully cooked by inserting a toothpick into the center, if the toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
  • Leave the cake to cool completely before adding the cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine cream cheese, butter and icicng sugar in a mixing bowl using an electric mixer on low to medium speed.
  • Add the lemon juice and mix again until blended and icing appears smooth and creamy.
  • Spread the frosting using a silicone spatula on to the cooled carrot cake and enjoy!

Notes

Be sure to keep the peel on the carrots and shred just prior to mixing to retain the moisture.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 3gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 206mgPotassium: 155mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 4324IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg
Keyword carrot, dessert, sheet cake
Tried this recipe?Tag @sustainmycookinghabit or #sustainmycookinghabit!

For more vegetable based dessert recipes, try this much loved easy zucchini cake recipe, pumpkin flan recipe , carrot cake cookies or this rhubarb strawberry crisp recipe.

Do you have a favourite carrot dessert recipe?

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A close up view of a piece of carrot cake with text overlay saying "grandma's homemade carrot cake recipe".
Recipe Rating




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Jerissa

Tuesday 12th of March 2024

Hi! Can we substitute vegetable oil for avocado oil? Thanks!

Jane and Sonja

Tuesday 12th of March 2024

Hi Jerissa. Yes! Avacado oil is a great substitute for vegetable oil.

Tia

Wednesday 22nd of November 2023

Can you use white sugar instead of light brown?

Jenifer

Monday 20th of November 2023

365degrees seems too hot, isn’t it?

Bethani

Wednesday 8th of November 2023

Lovee this recipe! I have someone needing gluten free and was wondering if anyone’s ever opted the flour for gluten free and how it turned out? Thanks in advance!

Vivien

Friday 18th of August 2023

What is 2 cups of flour in grams please

Jane and Sonja

Friday 18th of August 2023

Hi Vivien. It is 240g . Hope that helps! Jane

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