Description
This quick carrot cake recipe delivers a moist, flavorful dessert with minimal effort. Packed with warm spices, grated carrots, and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s perfect for any occasion. The easy preparation makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced bakers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Β½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Β½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese (for frosting)
- Β½ cup butter (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan
- Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl
- In another bowl, beat together sugars and oil until well combined
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until combined
- Fold in grated carrots and walnuts (if using)
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes
- Let cake cool completely before frosting
- For frosting: beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth
- Spread frosting over cooled cake and serve
Notes
- For extra moisture, add Β½ cup crushed pineapple to the batter
- Substitute pecans for walnuts if preferred
- Cake stays fresh for 5 days when refrigerated in an airtight container
- Unfrosted cake layers can be frozen for up to 3 months
- For cupcakes, reduce baking time to 20-25 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 480 Kcal
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: quick carrot cake, easy carrot cake recipe, moist carrot cake, best carrot cake, simple carrot cake, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, homemade carrot cake, carrot dessert recipes