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Slice of moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting on a decorative plate, garnished with fresh carrots and walnuts.
Alyssa

The BEST Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is my favorite recipe for homemade carrot cake! It's easy to make, perfectly moist, and topped with an easy homemade cream cheese frosting.
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.75 cup canola or vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs (at room temperature)
  • 1.5 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups lightly packed grated carrots
  • 1 package (8-ounce) brick style cream cheese (softened)
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray two 9-inch round cake pans well with non stick cooking spray and line the bottom of each pan with a parchment paper circle.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
  3. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Add the grated carrots to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined, being careful not to over mix.
  5. Pour the cake batter evenly between both prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Remove from the oven, cool in the pans for 20 to 25 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add the butter and mix until well combined.
  8. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
  9. Level off the cakes, apply frosting between layers, and then frost the cake as desired.

Notes

Customize toppings as desired. Store in an airtight container for freshness.