Here’s a delicious and easy carrot cake recipe you can make at home. It’s moist, flavorful, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.
Carrot Cake Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or a 9×13-inch pan if you prefer a single-layer cake).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add the vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Mix well.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Add Carrots and Nuts: Fold in the grated carrots, nuts, and pineapple (if using).
- Bake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If using a 9×13-inch pan, bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cakes are cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the entire cake. If using a 9×13-inch pan, simply frost the top.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy your homemade carrot cake!
Feel free to customize the recipe with raisins or coconut for extra texture and flavor. Enjoy your baking!
