1. Home
  2. International
  3. American Recipes
  4. Carrot Cake

Traditional Carrot Cake

2022-10-31

By American Baker

American Cuisine

Dessert

Quick and Easy Carrot Cake Recipes: How to Bake with a Slow Cooker, Instant Pot, and Air Fryer

How to Make Moist and Tender Carrot Cake in a Slow Cooker: Perfect Results Every Time

Use the slow cooker’s "Low" setting to bake a moist, tender carrot cake. After mixing your batter, pour it into the slow cooker and cook for 2-3 hours. Use the "Keep Warm" function to prevent overcooking and keep your cake at the perfect temperature.

Instant Pot Carrot Cake: Speed Up Your Baking with the 'Cake' Function for a Fluffy, Moist Treat

The Instant Pot’s "Cake" function is ideal for cooking carrot cake quickly. Simply pour your batter into a cake pan, place it on the trivet, and pressure cook for 30 minutes. The pressure creates a moist, fluffy cake in no time!

Air Fryer Carrot Cake: Bake Mini Portions with a Golden Crust and Perfect Texture

The air fryer’s convection heat is great for baking smaller individual portions of carrot cake. Set it to 320°F and cook for 18-20 minutes, checking halfway through for even baking and a golden finish. It’s a quick way to make mini carrot cakes with a crisp crust.

Tips and Suggestions on Carrot Cake

Grating the Carrots

Grating the carrots for your Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting can be a challenge as it's important to get the right texture. Grate the carrots finely or coarsely depending on your preference. If you have a food processor with a grating attachment, use that to save time and effort.

Mixing the Batter

Mixing the batter for your Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting can be a challenge as it's important to combine the ingredients thoroughly without overmixing them. Mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and any other desired spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in grated carrots, chopped nuts, and any other desired add-ins such as raisins or coconut.

Baking the Cake

Baking the cake for your Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting can be a challenge, as it's important to get the right temperature and cooking time to ensure it is properly cooked. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch cake pans. Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely before frosting.

Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

Making the cream cheese frosting for your Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting can be a challenge as it's important to get the right consistency and flavor. Beat together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. You can add more or less powdered sugar depending on your desired sweetness and thickness.

Decorating the Cake

Decorating the Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting can be a challenge as it's important to make the cake look visually appealing. Carefully place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate and spread a layer of frosting on top. Then place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with frosting. Use extra frosting to pipe designs or add decorations such as chopped nuts or grated carrots on top of the cake. Refrigerate the cake for at least an hour before serving to set the frosting.

Classic Carrot Cake Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup of vegetable oil
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 cup of light brown sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups of grated carrots
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts/li>
  • 8 ounces of cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
  • 4 cups of confectioners' sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 2 9-inch round cake pans with butter and sprinkle with flour, tapping off any excess. Alternatively, use parchment paper to line the bottoms of the pans.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Sift together and mix thoroughly.
  3. In a second mixing bowl, beat together the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer. Add eggs to the mixture one at a time, beating well between each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Fold in the sifted dry ingredients into the batter, alternately with shredded carrots, until just combined. Mix in the chopped walnuts.
  5. Divide the carrot cake batter equally between the two pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  6. Let cakes cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  7. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Gradually mix in confectioners' sugar until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
  8. Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting between the two layers and on top of the cake. Optional: sprinkle chopped walnuts on top of the frosting for added texture and flavor.
  9. Enjoy your delicious and moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting!

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 30 min

Cook Time 40 min

Total time 1 hr 10 min

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 520
  • Total Fat: 28g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 84mg
  • Sodium: 436mg
  • Total Carbohydrate: 66g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2g
  • Sugars: 52g
  • Protein: 4g

Variations for Carrot Cake

Coconut Carrot Cake

This version is made with moist carrot cake infused with the warmth of coconut, topped with cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut flakes.

Coconut Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Maple Icing Carrot Cake

This version is made with moist carrot cake featuring a touch of maple syrup, topped with rich maple icing for a delightful twist.

Carrot Cake w/ Maple Meringue Frosting {grain-free, dairy-free}, Paleo

Carrot Cake Maple Cream Cheese

This version is made with a spiced carrot cake, layered with rich maple cream cheese frosting, creating a deliciously sweet and savory treat.

Four Layer Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake Moist Pistacchio

This version is made with moist carrot cake infused with crushed pistachios, offering a delightful crunch and a unique flavor twist.

Moist Pistachio Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake Moist Chocolate

This version is made with rich, moist chocolate cake blended with grated carrots, delivering a decadent twist on the classic recipe.

MOIST Chocolate Carrot Cake

Vegan Carrot Cake

This version is made with wholesome plant-based ingredients, featuring fluffy carrots, warm spices, and a delightful vegan frosting for sweetness.

Vegan Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake Red Velvet

This version is made by combining classic carrot cake flavors with rich red velvet, creating a vibrant and indulgent treat.

RED VELVET CARROT CAKE WITH HOMEMADE FONDADNT

Carrot Cake Macadamia Nuts

This version is made with moist carrot cake infused with crunchy macadamia nuts, adding a delightful richness and texture to every bite.

Carrot Cake with Coconut and Macadamia Nuts

Carrot Cake with Orange Glaze

This version is made by drenching moist carrot cake in a zesty orange glaze, enhancing the flavors with a refreshing citrus twist.

Semolina Carrot Cake with Orange Glaze

Carrot Cake with Chickpea

This version is made by incorporating pureed chickpeas into the batter, adding a protein boost and a moist texture to the classic carrot cake.

Healthy Chickpea Flour Carrot Cake Pancakes

Carrot Cake Flax Seed Flour

This version is made using flaxseed flour, offering a nutty flavor and a healthy dose of omega-3 fatty acids in every bite.

Carrot Cake & Flax Seed Muffins

Carrot Cake Recipe Review

Go to Top