Moist Carrot Cake Recipe
Layers of light and moist cake made with shredded carrots and the perfect balance of warm spices, and topped with a tangy homemade cream cheese frosting, this really is the Best Carrot Cake Recipe ever!
Servings: 12 -16 Servings
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 1/4 cups oil
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 cup (200g) brown sugar
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups finely shredded carrots (about 6-7 medium carrots)
- 2 1/2 cups (353g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Frosting
- 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup (227g) salted butter room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
- 4-6 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish
Instructions
Make the cake
- Preheat oven to 350℉ (177℃). Line three 8-inch pans with parchment paper circles.
- In a large bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, applesauce, oil, eggs, and vanilla on medium-high speed until combined. Stir in the shredded carrots.1 1/4 cups oil, 1/4 cup applesauce, 1 cup (200g) brown sugar, 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 3 cups finely shredded carrots
- Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. You can always whisk these together in a separate bowl first, which is what a lot of bakers do, but I feel like if you sprinkle the spices over the flour instead of dumping them, you can save yourself a bowl and a step and they will mix in just fine without any clumps of cinnamon or cloves.2 1/2 cups (353g) all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean with just a few crumbs on it. Cool for a few minutes in the pans before turning them out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the frosting
- Beat the butter and cream cheese in a bowl until smooth and creamy.16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup (227g) salted butter
- Add the powdered sugar, coconut, and vanilla. Beat until smooth.2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 4-6 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon coconut extract
Assembly
- Set one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Frost with about 3/4 cup of the frosting. Repeat with the second layer, then top with the final cake layer. Spread the remaining frosting on the top and around the sides of the cake, reserving 1/2-3/4 cup for decorating with piped carrots.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans in a ring around the top.1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish
- In a small bowl, mix 2/3 of the reserved frosting with orange food coloring. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a medium round tip. Pipe from the outside edge of the cake in toward the center, stopping and starting a couple of times to create ridges in the "carrots" and easing up pressure toward the middle so the frosting comes to a point.
- In another small bowl, mix the remaining frosting with green food coloring. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip. Pipe a few lines from the edge of each carrot to create the carrot greens.
Notes
- OPTIONAL: 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans can be added to the cake batter. Personally, I don't love nuts in my carrot cake, just on the outside of it.
- OPTIONAL: 1 cup shredded coconut can be added to the batter as well.
- Sheet Cake Version: You can bake this as a sheet cake in a 9x13-inch rectangular baking dish for 40-50 minutes.
- Storing Instructions: This cake will keep at room temperature for 1-2 days. Or you can store leftover slices in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I do not recommend freezing the cake once it has been assembled, but unfrosted layers can be wrapped in plastic wrap and stored for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 964kcal | Carbohydrates: 102g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 60g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 26g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 665mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 6424IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 2mg
QR code
Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.
