Indulge in the timeless appeal of a moist and flavorful carrot cake, adorned with creamy frosting and a sprinkle of nuts. This classic dessert is the perfect balance of sweetness and spice, making it a favorite for any occasion.
Ingredients:
For the Carrot Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots, granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If using nuts, fold them into the batter at this stage.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the desired sweetness and consistency are reached.
- Mix in the vanilla extract until well combined.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Carefully place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining cream cheese frosting.
- Optionally, decorate the top of the cake with additional chopped nuts or shredded carrots.
- Slice and serve this delightful carrot cake to enjoy its moist crumb and creamy frosting. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering or celebration!
