Carrot cake is a moist and flavorful cake that is made with grated carrots, which not only add natural sweetness but also contribute to its rich texture. The cake is often spiced with cinnamon and sometimes nutmeg, giving it a warm and comforting flavor. Carrot cake is typically topped with a creamy cream cheese frosting that complements the cake’s sweetness with its tangy and smooth profile.

Estimated Time:

Preparation: 20 minutes

Baking: 25-30 minutes

Cooling: 30 minutes

Frosting: 15 minutes

Total time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes

Carrot Cake Recipe:

Ingredients:

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

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Procedure:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.
3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and vegetable oil together until smooth. Add in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts (if using), and vanilla extract. Mix until all the wet ingredients are well incorporated.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
7. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to beat until the frosting is well blended.
9. Once the cakes have cooled completely, spread a layer of cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top, and frost the entire cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
10. Optionally, you can garnish the cake with additional chopped nuts or carrot shreds for decoration.

Enjoy your delicious homemade carrot cake! It’s perfect for any occasion and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.