Easy Carrot Cake Recipe

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This Easy Carrot Cake recipe makes a moist and delicious cake, layered with rich cream cheese frosting. The mix of pecans, pineapple, carrot, and coconut makes it so flavorful and yummy.

Check out our brioche hot cross buns and roasted lamb for some Easter meal inspiration.

A slice of Easy Carrot Cake toped with flowers and pecans next to it.

Table Of Contents

Recipe Details
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
Add-ins and Substitutions
How to Make Carrot Cake
Recipe Tips
FAQs
Serving Suggestions
Make This Recipe in Advance
More Delicious Cakes!
Full Recipe Instructions

Recipe Details

Carrot cake has been around since the Middle Ages, partly because it is such a delicious dessert and easy to embellish. I love the mix of flavors and textures in this easy-to-make Carrot Cake recipe, and you will too!

TASTE: This Easy Carrot Cake is made with pecans, sweet pineapple, coconut flakes, and, of course, shredded carrots. It’s sweet, nutty, and absolutely delicious.
TEXTURE: This cake is moist and fluffy, with some crunchy bits. It’s layered with smooth, thick cream cheese frosting.
TIME: It takes 1 hour to make this cake.
EASE: I’ll show you how easy it is to make this homemade cake with cream cheese frosting. You’re sure to wow your guests with it.

What You’ll Need

Ingredients for Easy Carrot Cake: flour, carrots, coconut flakes, pecans, brown sugar, pineapple, sugar, eggs, butter, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.

Ingredients for Cream Cheese Frosting for Easy Carrot Cake: powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter, and condensed milk.

Ingredient Notes

Carrots- Freshly grated long carrots are best as it’s really hard to grate baby carrots.
Crushed pineapple- Canned is easiest, but you can use fresh or frozen (and thawed) as well.
Pecans- Raw or toasted is great, but avoid ones that are salted.
Spices- Cinnamon and nutmeg will give the cake a deliciously warm, spiced flavor.
Powdered sugar- Don’t use granulated sugar in the frosting because it’s too grainy. Powdered is fine enough to create a smooth frosting.
Sweetened condensed milk- This sweet, syrupy milk will add flavor and a smooth texture to the frosting.

Add-ins and Substitutions

Substitute different nuts- Make this cake with walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds for a little variation.
Add a different citrusy flavor- Instead of pineapple, substitute lemon or lime. You’ll still get the bright citrusy notes, but a new flavor.
Make it with bananas- Add ripe bananas to this cake for extra moisture and flavor.
Make it allergen friendly- Make the cake gluten-free by using gluten-free baking flour. For dairy-free, substitute the butter with plant-based, the condensed milk with sweetened condensed coconut milk, and the cream cheese with a vegan version. Skip the nuts for those with allergies.

How to Make Carrot Cake

Sift the dry ingredients. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Set aside.
Beat the eggs. Using a stand mixer, beat the eggs on high until they are light and fluffy. Then, add the white and brown sugars. Beat for another 4-5 minutes while adding the vanilla and melted butter.

Steps to make Easy Carrot Cake: sift the dry ingredients, whisk the eggs in a stand mixer, then add the sugars, and finally the melted butter.

Add pineapple. Then, slow the mixer to medium-low and add the crushed pineapple.
Mix in the flour. Slowly incorporate the flour mixture into the batter.
Add in the carrots, pecans, and coconut. Finally, pour the carrots, coconut flakes, and pecans into the batter and mix on medium until everything is well-incorporated.

Steps to make Easy Carrot Cake: add the pineapple to the batter, then the dry ingredients, and the carrots and pecans, mixing thoroughly.

Prepare cake pans. Line 2 10-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Then, evenly divide the carrot cake batter between them.
Bake. In a 350-degree-Fahrenheit oven, bake the cake for 30 minutes, until a toothpick can be inserted into the center of the cake and come out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool on a cooling rack.

Pro Tip: You can tell your carrot cake is done when you slide a toothpick into the center of the cake and it comes out clean

Steps to make Easy Carrot Cake: pour the batter into a cake pan and bake.

Make the frosting. In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the butter, cream cheese, condensed milk, and powdered sugar. Start on low to keep everything in the bowl, and then work up to high speed and mix until the frosting has a smooth consistency.
Layer and frost the carrot cake. Once the cake has cooled, slice it to create a total of 4 layers. Layer the carrot cake with frosting in between each layer and spread on the sides and top.

Steps to make Easy Carrot Cake: make the cream cheese frosting by combining the cream cheese, butter, and condensed milk with powdered sugar in the stand mixer, then frosting the cake layers and decorating with chopped pecans.

Recipe Tips

Use room temperature ingredients. The best way to incorporate the ingredients is to have them all at room temperature. They mix better, resulting in a smoother frosting.
Use full fat cream cheese. Lowfat cream cheese can clump and it just lacks the smooth creaminess that you need to make the best frosting.
Grate your own carrots- When you grate the carrots fresh, they are moist and soft. Pre-grated carrots you buy are often dry and hard.
Refrigerate it if it’s too runny. If your frosting is a little runny, place it in the refrigerator to thicken up. If you leave it in too long and it becomes too thick, just let it sit out for a few minutes and give it a stir.

FAQs

Is it OK to make a carrot cake the day before?

Carrot cake gets even better if you make it a day ahead. The cake gets more moist, the flavors mingle, and the cream cheese frosting sets into its many layers. Make the cake ahead of time and it will be even better.

Do you keep carrot cake in the fridge or on the counter?

For carrot cake, you will need to store it in the refrigerator. Between the carrots that are in it and the cream cheese frosting on top, this cake needs refrigeration to stay fresh.

Are there real carrots in it?

Yes, lots of them. Fresh carrots provide both flavor and sweetness to your carrot cake. The best way to shred them is in a food processor. Shredding makes them the perfect size to flavor the cake and adds texture, without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Easy Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of chopped pecans.

Serving Suggestions

This Easy Carrot Cake recipe has delicious flavor that goes well with so many dishes. Enjoy it after a special meal or serve it with other desserts.

Meats: Serve this cake after enjoying a Boneless Leg of Lamb, Pork Crown Roast, Prime Rib, or Vertical Roasted Chicken.
Sides: Pair your main course with Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Sauteed Garlic Asparagus, Scalloped Potatoes, or Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
Breads: Enjoy some Brioche Buns (VIDEO), Focaccia Bread, Buttermilk Cornbread, or Easy Khachapuri (VIDEO) with the meal.
Desserts: Serve this cake with Brioche Hot Cross Buns (VIDEO), Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, Mini Fruit Tarts, or Mini Pavlova with Chocolate (VIDEO).

Make This Recipe in Advance

Make ahead: You can make this easy carrot cake 1 day in advance. Go ahead and make the cakes, and once cooled, wrap them in plastic wrap. Then, when you’re ready to assemble the carrot cake, cut it into 4 separate pieces, layer and frost. The frosting can be made 2-3 days in advance and refrigerated. Let it come to room temp before frosting the cake.

Storing: Store this Easy Carrot Cake in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will last for up to 5 days.

Freeze: You can freeze this cake frosted or unfrosted for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and let it come to room temperature before serving.

More Delicious Cakes!

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Dina

Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!