Perfect Homemade Carrot Cake That Everyone Loves
Discover the ultimate carrot cake recipe, moist, fluffy, and full of flavor. A classic dessert everyone will crave again and again!
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour Can be substituted with gluten-free flour if needed.
- 2 cups Granulated sugar Adjust sweetness as per preference.
- 1 tsp Baking powder Ensure it’s fresh for best results.
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon Use fresh cinnamon for best flavor.
- 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup Vegetable oil Can be substituted with olive oil or butter.
- 4 large Eggs Room temperature eggs work best for even mixing.
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 3 cups Grated carrots About 3 medium carrots, peeled and finely grated.
- 1 cup Crushed walnuts (optional) Optional but adds great crunch and flavor.
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened applesauce (optional) Adds moisture and slight sweetness.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, mix together eggs, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots and walnuts (if using).
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting or your preferred frosting.
- Slice and serve.
Notes
Moisture:
The key to a moist carrot cake is to avoid overmixing the batter and to ensure that the carrots are finely grated. If you prefer an even more moist texture, adding unsweetened applesauce or an extra egg can help. Flavor Variations:
You can adjust the spices based on your preference. Some people like adding ginger or cloves for an extra depth of flavor. A small amount of orange zest can also brighten the flavor. Sweeteners:
If you’re looking to make a healthier version, you can substitute granulated sugar with honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind that it may affect the texture and moisture slightly. Allergy-Friendly:
To make this cake gluten-free, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. For a dairy-free version, you can use dairy-free butter and cream cheese for the frosting. Walnut Option:
Walnuts are optional, but they add a lovely crunch and extra richness to the cake. If you have nut allergies or prefer a smoother texture, you can skip them. Frosting Tips:
The cake can be paired with cream cheese frosting for the classic flavor, or you could use buttercream or even a whipped coconut cream frosting for a lighter option. Storage:
Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh for up to 5-7 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months if you want to prepare it in advance. Serving Tip:
Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly and prevent it from melting into the cake.
The key to a moist carrot cake is to avoid overmixing the batter and to ensure that the carrots are finely grated. If you prefer an even more moist texture, adding unsweetened applesauce or an extra egg can help. Flavor Variations:
You can adjust the spices based on your preference. Some people like adding ginger or cloves for an extra depth of flavor. A small amount of orange zest can also brighten the flavor. Sweeteners:
If you’re looking to make a healthier version, you can substitute granulated sugar with honey or maple syrup, but keep in mind that it may affect the texture and moisture slightly. Allergy-Friendly:
To make this cake gluten-free, you can swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. For a dairy-free version, you can use dairy-free butter and cream cheese for the frosting. Walnut Option:
Walnuts are optional, but they add a lovely crunch and extra richness to the cake. If you have nut allergies or prefer a smoother texture, you can skip them. Frosting Tips:
The cake can be paired with cream cheese frosting for the classic flavor, or you could use buttercream or even a whipped coconut cream frosting for a lighter option. Storage:
Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh for up to 5-7 days. You can also freeze the cake for up to 3 months if you want to prepare it in advance. Serving Tip:
Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly and prevent it from melting into the cake.