Classic Carrot Cake Recipe

By Danielle Nieman

This Carrot Cake is superbly delicious, moist, and has the best cream cheese frosting. I promise, everyone will become OBSESSED.

This post is all about how to make the best Classic Carrot Cake Recipe.

This carrot cake recipe has been in my family for more than forty years, and when I tell you it’s the BEST recipe out there, I hope you’ll believe me and give it a try. I’m confident that when you do, you’ll become addicted! I even included it in my cookbook.

When my mom and dad were first married, their neighbor Lucy baked this cake and brought it over to their house. My mom was blown away at how delicious it was and asked her for the recipe. Since then, we make it almost religiously every year on my dad’s birthday because it’s his favorite. And I have to say it’s mine too!

If you’ve ever ordered a piece of carrot cake in a restaurant and weren’t that impressed (I never am), then let this amazing recipe show you just how delicious and moist a carrot cake should really taste. This cake is easy to make as long as you follow the step-by-step method below.

BEST Carrot Cake Recipe EVER

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

• 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

• 1 Teaspoon Salt

• 2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

• 2 Cups White Granulated Sugar

• 1.5 Cups Vegetable Oil

• 4 Eggs

• 2 Cups Grated Carrots

• 8.5 ounces of Crushed Pineapple (Buy a 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple. Once it’s drained, you’ll have 8.5 ounces.)

• 1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans (for inside the cake)

• 2 Tablespoons of Chopped Pecans (to sprinkle on top of the cake after it’s frosted.)

Ingredients For The Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick), room temperature

• 8-ounce Brick of Cream Cheese (full-fat), room temperature

• 1 Pound of Powdered Sugar (the package will say one pound.)

• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

• 1 Tablespoon Milk

Equipment Needed:

• Mixing Bowl

• Measuring Cups and Spoons

• Spatula

• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer

• Two 9-inch Cake Pans

• Non-Stick Cooking Spray

• Oven

• Wire Cooling Racks

How To Make This Classic Carrot Cake Recipe, Step-by-Step

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 1: Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into a mixing bowl.

Step 2: Add sugar, oil, and eggs to the same bowl. Mix ingredients with a stand or hand mixer.

Step 3: Add carrots, drained pineapple, and 1/2 cup of chopped pecans to the cake batter and mix.

Step 4: Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. I spray both pans with non-stick cooking spray, then add one teaspoon of flour to each. I gently shake the pans back and forth and tilt the pans to get the sides floured.

Step 5: Divide the cake batter evenly among the two pans.

Step 6: Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees F. This cake is very moist, so use the spring-back test to check if it’s done. Gently press the center of the cake with your finger to see if it springs back. The middle should feel springy and bounce when you touch it.

Step 7: Dump both cakes out of the pans as soon as possible. Cool the cakes on wire racks.

How To Make Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting, Step-by-Step

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature butter, room-temperature cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth, using a stand or hand mixer.

Step 2: Mix in the vanilla extract and milk.

Step 3: Once the cakes are cooled, you can begin frosting them. Place one cake on a serving plate and dump half of the frosting in the middle. Smooth it out all over until it looks even.

Step 4: Place the next cake on top, and use the remaining frosting to evenly spread it over the whole cake.

Step 5: Sprinkle two tablespoons of chopped pecans on top.

FAQs

What’s the secret to a great carrot cake?

A carrot cake tastes a lot like a spice cake, so it’s crucial to have enough spice, like ground cinnamon. Also, the homemade cream cheese frosting complements the cake in the BEST way.

What are some common carrot cake mistakes?

Grating the carrots too large, using butter instead of oil, and not using homemade cream cheese frosting are some common mistakes to avoid. So, follow this recipe closely and you’ll be fine.

Final Thoughts On This Classic Carrot Cake Recipe

This Carrot Cake is unbelievably delicious, and it’s simple to make! If you want to impress your guests or make an unforgettable birthday cake for a friend, this is the recipe for you. Let me know in the comments if you LOVE this cake too.

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