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Moist Homemade Carrot Cake Recipe

Moist Homemade Carrot Cake Recipe

This Moist Homemade Carrot Cake Recipe features a perfect blend of spices and is topped with creamy frosting, making it a delightful dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 1 hour
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 slices
Calories 350 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • baking pan
  • Cooling Rack

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups brown sugar (packed, light brown preferred)
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (can substitute with melted coconut oil)
  • 3 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 cups grated carrots (freshly grated)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 0.5 cup crushed pineapple (drained, optional)

Instructions
 

Baking

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease baking pan(s) with butter or non-stick spray and line with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined.
  • In another bowl, beat brown sugar with vegetable oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Gently fold in grated carrots, chopped nuts, and crushed pineapple if using. Do not overmix.
  • Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture, folding gently until just incorporated. Batter will be thick and sticky.
  • Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and smooth the top. Bake for 40-45 minutes for 9×13 inch pan or 30-35 minutes for two 8-inch pans. Check doneness with a toothpick.
  • Cool cake in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely (about 1 hour).

Frosting

  • For frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract and salt.
  • Spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes if firmer frosting is desired.

Notes

Light brown sugar gives the best flavor, but you can use dark brown sugar if desired. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing. Can substitute other nuts or omit them entirely based on preference. Frosting can be adjusted by adding more or less sugar depending on sweetness preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 4gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 30g
Keyword baking, Carrot Cake, Cream Cheese Frosting, Dessert Recipe, Homemade Cake, Moist Cake
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