Easy Carrot Cake

Get ready for spring with this Easy Carrot Cake Recipe! With a perfectly moist cinnamon-spiced carrot cake base and a luscious cream cheese frosting, this decadent dessert is a must-try. Keep it simple or decorate with chopped nuts and caramel sauce for a showstopping presentation that’s fit for your Easter table or any occasion!

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Variations
• How to Make This Easy Carrot Cake
• Serving Suggestions
• Expert Tips
• Recipe FAQs
• More Dessert Recipes for Special Occasions
• We Want Your Feedback!
• Easy Carrot Cake From Scratch

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy Homemade Carrot Cake: Put that boxed cake mix down and make this homemade version instead! Both the cake and the frosting come together easily with simple ingredients you may already have on hand.
• Irresistible Flavor and Texture: The cake is moist and tender with plenty of flavor from the fresh carrots and cinnamon. The rich and tangy cream cheese frosting adds the perfect finishing touch.
• Great for Any Occasion: This carrot cake is sure to be a hit for any occasion from a casual family dessert to a special celebration.

For more cake dessert recipes, check out our raspberry vanilla sheet cake, strawberry coconut cake, and chocolate sheet cake next.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• Canola Oil: Fat needed to keep the cake moist. Feel free to use vegetable oil instead if that’s what you’ve got on hand.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps keep it moist and tender.
• Eggs: Add moisture, flavor, and act as a binding agent.
• Flour: All-purpose flour provides structure for the cake.
• Leavening Agents: I used both baking soda and baking powder to help the cake rise properly.
• Cinnamon: Gives the carrot cake its signature spiced flavor.
• Chopped Walnuts: These are optional, but add texture to the cake.

For the Frosting

• Cream Cheese: Provides a rich and creamy texture and a subtly tangy flavor to the frosting.
• Butter: For more richness that balances out the tanginess of the cream cheese a bit.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances and balances the flavors in the frosting.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Mix-ins: Try mixing some raisins or shredded coconut into the cake mix to add more texture and flavor.
• Icing: Swap the spreadable frosting for a simple carrot cake icing to drizzle over the cake. Adjust the recipe by cutting back on the powdered sugar and adding a few tablespoons of milk to thin it out.
• Cupcakes: Instead of making a whole cake, make individual servings by turning this recipe into cupcakes. Then, decorate them with sprinkles or candies to match the occasion!

How to Make This Easy Carrot Cake

To get started making this simple carrot cake recipe, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease your baking pan(s). You can also place parchment paper in the bottom of the pan(s) to help prevent sticking.

1. Step 1: Combine oil, sugar, and eggs. Add the oil and sugar to a mixing bowl and mix until well combined. Then, add the eggs and mix until well incorporated.
2. Step 2: Add the carrots. Stir the shredded carrots into the mixture.

3. Step 3: Mix in the dry ingredients. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon to the bowl. Mix to combine, and then stir in the chopped walnuts if using.
4. Step 4: Pour the mixture into pan(s). Transfer the cake mixture to your prepared baking pan(s).
5. Step 5: Bake and cool. Bake according to the timing indicated in the recipe card for your size pans. Cool completely before frosting.
6. Step 6: Combine frosting ingredients. Add the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl.

7. Step 7: Mix up the frosting. Use a stand or hand mixer to mix the frosting until smooth.
8. Step 8: Frost the cake. Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake, layering as you go (if making a layer cake). Decorate as desired.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some great ways to enjoy this decadent, yet simple carrot cake:

• Serve this stunning cake for Easter dessert after a dinner of pressure cooker ham and au gratin potatoes. Be sure to toast everyone in the family with a glass of mock champagne!
• Bring to a spring family gathering or potluck along with some of these delicious deviled eggs.
• Enjoy a slice drizzled with salted caramel sauce to take it over the top.

Expert Tips

• Shred your own carrots: Freshly grated is best here, as I find the pre-shredded carrots to be too dry.
• Use room temperature ingredients: Allow your eggs, cream cheese, and butter to come to room temperature to make mixing easier. 
• Checking for doneness: If you press your finger lightly into the center of the cake and it bounces back, it’s ready. If your finger leaves an impression, the cake needs to keep baking. You can also insert a toothpick into the center of the cake, and if it comes out clean, the cake is done.
• Storing: Because of the cream cheese frosting, leftover cake must be refrigerated. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Recipe FAQs

More Dessert Recipes for Special Occasions

Save this amazing carrot cake recipe for later!