Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Printable)

A moist, spiced cake loaded with carrots, nuts, and pineapple, finished with tangy cream cheese frosting.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tsp ground cinnamon
03 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
04 - 1/2 tsp ground ginger
05 - 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
06 - 1 tsp baking soda
07 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ Cake Wet Ingredients

08 - 1 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
10 - 1 cup vegetable oil
11 - 4 large eggs
12 - 2 tsp vanilla extract

→ Cake Add-ins

13 - 2 cups grated carrots
14 - 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
15 - 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
16 - 1/2 cup raisins

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

17 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
18 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
19 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
20 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
21 - Pinch of salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined.
03 - In another bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until well combined and mixture appears glossy.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Gently fold in grated carrots, chopped nuts, pineapple, and raisins until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
07 - Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
08 - Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
09 - Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; beat until light and fluffy.
10 - Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides of the cake. Garnish with extra nuts or grated carrot if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of warm spices creates the most inviting aroma that fills your entire kitchen
  • Moist, tender crumbs that never dry out, even after a few days in the fridge
  • The perfect balance between earthy carrots, sweet pineapple, and nutty crunch in every bite
02 -
  • Cooling the cakes completely before frosting is non-negotiable or the frosting will melt right off
  • Drain the crushed pineapple thoroughly, pressing out excess liquid with a spoon
  • Room temperature ingredients blend better and prevent a curdled looking batter
03 -
  • Grate your carrots by hand instead of using food processor shreds for better texture
  • Sprinkle a handful of chopped nuts between the cake layers to prevent them from sliding
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