Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

4.85 from 60 votes

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This classic Carrot Cake recipe is one you'll want to add to your collection! A moist and delicious cake paired with a not-too-sweet cream cheese frosting.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 55

Total Time 2 55

Servings

Calories 572kcal

Author Olivia

Ingredients

Carrot Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground ginger
pinch ground cloves
1 1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs room temperature
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrots lightly packed, approx. 4 large carrots (300g shredded)

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
1 cup cream cheese full fat, chilled
4 cups powdered sugar sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
cornstarch or meringue powder optional, as needed

Assembly:

edible flowers optional

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Carrot Cake:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour three 6" cake rounds, line with parchment.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer combine vegetable oil and sugars. Beat until well combined (2 mins). Add eggs one at a time, fully incorporating after each addition. Add vanilla.
Add flour mixture in 3 parts. Fold in carrots.
Spread batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 55mins or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Place cakes on wire rack to cool for 10mins then turn out onto wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer beat butter until pale and creamy. Reduce speed to low. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time and mix on low until well blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for 3 minutes.
Add vanilla and continue to beat on medium for 1 minute.
Slowly add chilled cream cheese one cube at a time (about 1 tablespoon at a time). Beat well until blended and ensure no lumps of cream cheese remain.
If needed, add cornstarch or meringue powder 1 tablespoon at a time to stiffen the frosting (I didn't but this is an option). Run mixer on low for a couple of minutes to remove any air bubbles.

Assembly:

Place one layer of cake on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with approximately 2/3 cup of buttercream and spread evenly. Repeat with remaining layers. Frost and smooth the outside with a thin crumb coat.
Decorate the top with a swirl and some edible flowers if desired.

Nutrition

Liv for Cake - https://ai-deterrant.org/carrot-cake/%3C/em%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cscript%3Ewindow.wprm_recipes = {"recipe-10220":{"type":"food","name":"Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting","slug":"wprm-carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting","image_url":"https:\/\/livforcake.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/classic-carrot-cake-thumb1.jpg","rating":{"count":60,"total":291,"average":4.85,"type":{"comment":60,"no_comment":0,"user":0},"user":0},"ingredients":[{"uid":1,"amount":"2","unit":"cups","name":"all-purpose flour","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"250","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8092,"id":556,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"2","unit":"cups","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"2","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"250","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":3,"amount":"2","unit":"tsp","name":"baking powder","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"9 6\/7","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":557,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"9 6\/7","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":5,"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","name":"baking soda","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"1 \u00bc","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":558,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/4","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"1 \u00bc","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":7,"amount":"3\/4","unit":"tsp","name":"salt","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"3 \u2154","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":559,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"3\/4","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"3\/4","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"3 \u2154","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":9,"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","name":"ground cinnamon","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"7 \u2156","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":560,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"7 \u2156","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":11,"amount":"3\/4","unit":"tsp","name":"ground nutmeg","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"3 \u2154","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":561,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"3\/4","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"3\/4","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"3 \u2154","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":13,"amount":"1\/2","unit":"tsp","name":"ground ginger","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"2 \u00bd","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":1291,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1\/2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"2 \u00bd","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":15,"amount":"","unit":"pinch","name":"ground cloves","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"","unit":"pinch","unit_id":8094}},"unit_id":8094,"id":1312,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"","unit":"pinch","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"","unit":"pinch","unitParsed":"pinch","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"","unit":"pinch","unitParsed":"pinch","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":17,"amount":"1 1\/4","unit":"cup","name":"vegetable oil","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"272 \u00bd","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":628,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1 1\/4","unit":"cup","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1 1\/4","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"272 \u00bd","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":19,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"dark brown sugar","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"220","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":571,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"220","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":21,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"granulated sugar","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"200","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":603,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"200","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":23,"amount":"4","unit":"large","name":"eggs","notes":"room temperature","converted":{"2":{"amount":"4","unit":"large","unit_id":8090}},"unit_id":8090,"id":584,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"4","unit":"large","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"4","unit":"large","unitParsed":"large","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"4","unit":"large","unitParsed":"large","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":25,"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","name":"vanilla extract","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"7 \u2156","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":564,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1 1\/2","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"7 \u2156","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":27,"amount":"3","unit":"cups","name":"grated carrots ","notes":"lightly packed, approx. 4 large carrots (300g shredded)","converted":{"2":{"amount":"384","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8092,"id":572,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"3","unit":"cups","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"3","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"384","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":30,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"unsalted butter","notes":"room temperature","converted":{"2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":555,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":32,"amount":"1","unit":"cup","name":"cream cheese","notes":"full fat, chilled","converted":{"2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8086,"id":570,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"cup","unitParsed":"cup","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"227","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":34,"amount":"4","unit":"cups","name":"powdered sugar","notes":"sifted","converted":{"2":{"amount":"480","unit":"g","unit_id":8085}},"unit_id":8092,"id":639,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"4","unit":"cups","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"4","unit":"cups","unitParsed":"cups","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"480","unit":"g","unitParsed":"g","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":36,"amount":"1","unit":"tsp","name":"vanilla extract","notes":"","converted":{"2":{"amount":"5","unit":"ml","unit_id":8088}},"unit_id":8089,"id":564,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"1","unit":"tsp","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"1","unit":"tsp","unitParsed":"tsp","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true},"unit-system-2":{"amount":"5","unit":"ml","unitParsed":"ml","unit_connector":"","unit_connector_spacing":"space-both","unit_connector_pluralizes_ingredient":true}}},{"uid":41,"amount":"","unit":"","name":"cornstarch or meringue powder","notes":"optional, as needed","converted":{"2":{"amount":"","unit":""}},"id":8106,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"","unit":"","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"","unit":"","unitParsed":""}}},{"uid":39,"amount":"","unit":"","name":"edible flowers","notes":"optional","converted":{"2":{"amount":"","unit":""}},"id":5074,"conversion_item_snapshot":{"amount":"","unit":"","timestamp":1789920553000},"type":"ingredient","unit_systems":{"unit-system-1":{"amount":"","unit":"","unitParsed":""}}}],"originalServings":"12","originalServingsParsed":12,"currentServings":"12","currentServingsParsed":12,"currentServingsFormatted":"12","currentServingsMultiplier":1,"originalSystem":1,"currentSystem":1,"favorite":false,"unitSystems":[1,2],"originalAdvancedServings":{"shape":"round","unit":"inch","diameter":0,"width":0,"length":0,"height":0},"currentAdvancedServings":{"shape":"round","unit":"inch","diameter":0,"width":0,"length":0,"height":0},"collection":{"servingsUnit":"","servingsUnitRaw":"","originalServings":"12","originalServingsParsed":12,"type":"recipe","recipeId":10220,"name":"Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting","image":"https:\/\/livforcake.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/classic-carrot-cake-thumb1-300x300.jpg","servings":12,"parent_id":"10219","parent_url":"https:\/\/livforcake.com\/carrot-cake\/","cachedAt":1789920553,"modifiedAt":1680688391}}}