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Best Carrot Cake Recipe 2024 Easy Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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A moist and flavorful carrot cake balanced with cinnamon and nutmeg, complemented by a smooth and tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, this easy recipe uses simple ingredients and yields a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (can swap half with whole wheat)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (220g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil (light olive oil or canola preferred)
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (330g) finely grated carrots (about 4–5 medium carrots)
  • ½ cup (120ml) crushed pineapple, drained
  • ½ cup (60g) chopped walnuts or pecans (toasted)
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until combined.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula; do not overmix.
  6. Fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and chopped nuts.
  7. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans, filling about two-thirds full.
  8. Bake 40-45 minutes for round pans or 50-55 minutes for 9×13 pan; test doneness with toothpick.
  9. Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then turn out onto cooling racks to cool completely.
  10. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating after each addition.
  11. Mix in vanilla extract and pinch of salt until frosting is thick and spreadable.
  12. Assemble cake by frosting between layers and covering top and sides evenly.
  13. Chill frosted cake in fridge for about 30 minutes before slicing.

Notes

Toast walnuts lightly in a dry pan for 3-5 minutes for enhanced flavor. Use room temperature eggs, cream cheese, and butter for smoother batter and frosting. Avoid overmixing batter to keep cake tender. Drain pineapple well to prevent sogginess. Chill frosting if kitchen is warm to avoid runniness. Cake layers freeze well un-frosted for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, moist carrot cake, easy carrot cake recipe, holiday dessert, homemade cake

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/best-carrot-cake-recipe-2024-easy-moist-carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/