When it comes to carrot cake, this recipe takes the cake—literally! It’s moist, perfectly spiced, and loaded with the finest ingredients to make every bite memorable. This guide will walk you through every step to create a show-stopping carrot cake that’s wonderfully dense yet fluffy, rich with flavor, and topped with a silky cream cheese frosting.
Here’s how to make the best carrot cake ever!
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional for extra warmth)
- 3 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (adds moisture without extra fat)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups finely grated carrots (about 3-4 large carrots)
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for crunch and flavor)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional for texture and taste)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional, for a creamier texture)
Equipment Needed
- Two 9-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Cooling rack
- Cake stand or serving plate