The Best Homemade Carrot Cake Recipe

What You’ll Love About This Recipe

This carrot cake recipe is perfect for anyone who loves a moist, flavorful dessert that’s easy to make. With a few simple steps, you can create a treat that’s sure to impress.

• Perfectly moist texture – The combination of shredded carrots, oil, and crushed pineapple keeps the cake tender and delicious.
• Warm, cozy spices – Cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of vanilla bring out the natural sweetness of the carrots.
• Creamy frosting – The rich cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch, adding a tangy sweetness that balances the cake.

Recipe

Carrot cake is a classic dessert that combines the natural sweetness of carrots with warm spices and a rich cream cheese frosting. This homemade version is moist, flavorful, and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, beat sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients.
4. Fold in grated carrots, nuts, and pineapple (if using). Pour batter into prepared pans.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes (round pans) or 35-40 minutes (9×13-inch pan) until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
6. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy. Frost the cooled cake.

Notes:

• Store frosted cake in the refrigerator.
• For extra moisture, add ½ cup raisins or shredded coconut.

Equipment:

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• 9-inch round cake pans or 9×13-inch baking dish
• Grater

Time:

• Prep time: 20 minutes
• Cooking time: 30-40 minutes

Cuisine: American

Serving: 12 slices

Nutrition

This homemade carrot cake is a flavorful and nutritious dessert. Below is the nutritional information per serving.

What To Serve With It

I love pairing my homemade carrot cake with creamy cream cheese frosting—it’s a classic combo that’s hard to beat. For a cool, sweet twist, I sometimes add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Both options make every bite even more enjoyable.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Though it’s tempting to dig right into a freshly baked carrot cake, adding cream cheese frosting takes it to a whole new level of deliciousness. I love how the tangy, creamy frosting complements the sweetness of the cake, creating a perfect balance. Making it’s simple: just blend softened cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of vanilla until smooth. I always let the cake cool completely before spreading the frosting—this keeps it from melting into a mess. Trust me, the extra time is worth it. A generous layer guarantees every bite is blissfully rich, making it a dessert I can’t resist.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Pairing a slice of carrot cake with vanilla ice cream creates a classic dessert duo that’s hard to beat. The warm, spiced cake melts the ice cream just enough, blending the flavors into a perfect bite. I love how the creamy sweetness of the ice cream balances the cake’s richness, making each mouthfeel indulgent but not overwhelming. I often use a good-quality vanilla ice cream with real bean specks for an extra touch of luxury. It’s simple, timeless, and feels like a hug on a plate. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser—everyone I’ve served this combo to comes back for seconds!