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You are here: Home / Desserts / Cake / The Best Carrot Cake Recipe (with Video)

The Best Carrot Cake Recipe (with Video)

April 6, 2020 By Sam 938 Comments

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The Best Carrot Cake Recipe

A wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced carrot cake recipe. This cake is surprisingly simple to make and includes a step-by-step video for no-fail results every time. Top everything off with my simple cream cheese frosting for what truly might be the perfect cake.

Carrot cake with a bite out of it

Today I’m re-sharing an old favorite recipe! Considering current events I was hesitant to re-share this cake as originally planned. I’ve mostly been focusing on recipes that use pantry staples, but with Easter right around the corner I wanted to share it as a small gesture of celebration (even though Easter is going to be different for a lot of us). Back to basics later this week! 

If I had to choose a favorite cake recipe on my blog, I think this carrot cake recipe would be it.

Maybe I’m biased, but even though I’m wildly in love with my white cake, vanilla cake (a reader favorite!) and chocolate cake, this carrot cake is hands-down the one I will reach for first every time.

There’s something about its deliriously moist crumb, the perfect amount of spices, and yes, that all-time favorite cream cheese frosting of mine. It’s sweet without being too sweet, carefully crafted with both butter and oil and just the right amount of carrots –the flavor is so good that even Zach reached for a second piece.

I think you guys are going to love this one just as much, so  let’s dig in.

A slice of carrot cake on a white plate

How to Grate Carrots

My carrot cake recipe uses 3 cups of finely grated carrots. This is usually about 4 large carrots for me and I always peel my carrots before grating them. You can use a box grater to grate your carrots, but I prefer to use my food processor.

To use the food processor, I’ll first use the “shred” blade, but I’ve found that this doesn’t get my carrots as fine as I’d like them to be, so I’ll then switch to the standard blade and briefly pulse the carrots until they’re fine pieces. Don’t overdo this step or you’ll end up with carrot puree (this is also why I start by using the shred blade on my processor, I’ve found that just tossing the carrots in with my standard blade quickly breaks down the carrots too much for my liking).

One thing you definitely want to avoid is store-bought shredded carrots (or “matchstick” carrots). Those are way too thick to use here, unless you like biting into discernible chunks of carrot (I do not).

Ingredients for carrot cake
Ingredients

two cake tins filled with batter

Can I make this into Cupcakes?

While you could, I personally found this carrot cake to be a bit too heavy for cupcakes. Because of that I developed a carrot cake cupcake recipe that I would recommend using instead. It’s still flavorful and delicious, but not so moist that it requires a fork for eating.

Oh, and if you’re interested in more carrot cake variations, I also have a carrot cake cookie recipe you can try out, too.

How to Store

If you’re eating this cake the same day it is made or within 48 hours of making it and are able to store it somewhere cool and dry you do not have to refrigerate it, though you do want to store it in an airtight container. However, any longer than that and I recommend storing refrigerated in an airtight container, where it will keep for about 5 days. I generally don’t like to keep cakes in the refrigerator (like my caramel cake) because the refrigerator can dry them out, but this carrot cake is so moist it holds up quite well in the fridge.

A large slice of cake with cream cheese icing on a white plate

Before I let you watch the video below the recipe I need to talk to you about my cake decorating skills. I am not a cake decorator, but I can usually modestly frost a cake so that it looks at least presentable. The frosting job you’re about to see in this video is not an example of my finest work, at all!

My pride compels me to inform you that this was my sloppiest frosting job ever. I had to turn off the air conditioning in my house to shoot the video (my microphone picks up the noise and it sounds awful if we don’t) and at the time I shot this (it’s an old video) it was a 90+ degree day outside. I pulled the cream cheese frosting out of the fridge too far in advance and between the hot lights that I use for filming, the lack of AC, and the fact that I was right in front of my 350F oven, everything was a melty disaster, so while I’m not a cake decorator things aren’t usually that bad!

Alright I feel better now getting that off my chest 😉Enjoy!

More Recipes You Might Like:

  • Tres Leches Cake
  • Funfetti Cake
  • Coconut Cake

Are you more of a visual learner? Check out my YouTube channel where I show you exactly how I make this recipe step-by-step in my own kitchen.

Carrot cake slice

The Best Carrot Cake Recipe

A wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced carrot cake recipe.  This cake is surprisingly simple to make and includes a step-by-step video for no-fail results every time. Top everything off with my simple cream cheese frosting for what truly might be the perfect cake.
4.93 from 178 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cake
Cuisine: American
Keyword: carrot cake, classic carrot cake, moist cake, the best carrot cake
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Calories: 765kcal
Author: Sam Merritt

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (315g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1 cup light or dark brown sugar* tightly packed (200g)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 cup canola or vegetable oil (235ml)
  • 1/2 cup or 1 stick unsalted butter melted (113g)
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups grated carrots** (340g)
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional (125g)

Cream Cheese Frosting***

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter softened (113g)
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened (brick-style, not spreadable) (226g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups powdered sugar (500g)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and prepare two 8-inch pans**** by lining the bottoms with parchment paper and lightly greasing and flouring the sides.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together your flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  • Add your canola oil and melted butter and stir well (batter will be pretty stiff and thick at this point, I usually use an electric mixer or my stand mixer to combine everything nicely).
  • Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition.
  • Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Stir in carrots and nuts (if using) until ingredients are well-combined.
  • Evenly divide carrot cake batter into prepared baking pans and bake on 350F (175C) for 40 minutes (toothpick inserted in center should come out mostly clean with only few moist crumbs).
  • Allow carrot cake to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge and invert onto cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Allow cake to cool completely before covering with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Combine butter and cream cheese in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until creamy, well-combined, and lump-free.
  • Add vanilla extract and sprinkle salt into the bowl and stir well to combine.
  • With mixer on low, gradually add powdered sugar until ingredients are completely combined (be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a spatula).
  • Once your cake has cooled completely, cover with frosting.

Notes

*Either light or dark brown sugar will work fine, dark brown sugar will make your cake slightly more moist and rich, but light brown sugar works perfectly if you don't have dark on hand.
**For me, this usually requires about 4 large carrots. I always peel my carrots before grating. Make sure to use the small shred of your box grater. Another way I like to prepare my carrots is to use the "shred" setting on my food processor and then switch to the blade and briefly pulse the carrots so that you have fine pieces of carrot (don't over-do it though, or you'll have carrot juice!). Whatever you do, don't use store-bought "matchstick" carrots, they're not nearly thin enough!
***A single batch of my cream cheese frosting recipe will cover this cake, but because I like a lot of frosting and will usually pipe decoration on the top of the cake, I generally increase the recipe by 50% or even double it.
****You can use 9" cake pans instead, but the carrot cake will need to bake for less time, likely around 30-35 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice (calories calculated with frosting but without optional nuts) | Calories: 765kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!
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This recipe was originally published August 22nd 2018.

Filed Under: Cake, Desserts, Easter/Spring

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Comments

  1. Marie-Claude Albert says

    January 14, 2021 at 8:02 am

    This cake is so good.
    I used 4, 6 inch pans and baked for 40 minutes. Turned out perfect.
    I also added a salted caramel filling between cake layers! So good!!!

    Reply
    • Sam says

      January 14, 2021 at 9:27 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much! Thank you for your feedback using the smaller pans. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Cheryl says

    January 3, 2021 at 11:18 am

    Can you add pineapple (drained) thank you

    Reply
    • Sam says

      January 4, 2021 at 9:20 pm

      Hi Cheryl! Others have done it with success. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Alaina says

    December 29, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    5 stars
    This is one of the best carrot cakes I have ever eaten. Your videos help make everything easy to follow and turn out perfectly. I have become a regular on your website and youtube channel and my son loves picking out a new recipe and watching the video. Everything we have made has been loved by everyone. We have been baking many of your cakes and cookies. Thank you so much for all your wonderful recipes.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      December 30, 2020 at 10:50 am

      I am so glad you and your son have enjoyed everything so much, Alaina! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jade Ally says

    December 19, 2020 at 7:23 pm

    Hi! Amazing recipe, can you add buttermilk to it?

    Reply
    • Sam says

      December 19, 2020 at 8:50 pm

      Hi Jade! I wouldn’t add anymore liquid to this recipe. It has enough moisture as it is. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Carmen says

    December 16, 2020 at 12:40 am

    The best recipe, do you know if I can use this recipe in 3 – 6” pans ?

    Thanks a lot, I’m going to try another recipe of this blog.

    Greetings from México

    Reply
    • Sam says

      December 16, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      Hi Carmen! You can make it in 3 6 inch pans, but you may have a little excess batter. Make sure to not overfill the pans. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Dorthy Dharmasena says

    December 6, 2020 at 8:00 am

    I baked your carrot cake and it is delicious. Could you let me know how long does it take to bake a carrot cake in a 2 kg pan (10×10×4). Thanks.

    Reply
    • Sam says

      December 6, 2020 at 10:45 pm

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Dorthy! Unfortunately I haven’t made it in that size pan so I’m not sure how long it would take to bake. Just keep an eye on it. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Nana says

    December 1, 2020 at 4:59 pm

    Hi Sam. I made this cake following the recipe a week ago. It turned out really nice. I want to make it this Saturday for my sons birthday but I bought cake and pastry flour thinking it might turn out better. Now I am worried it might not rise enough? Will this flour be okay instead of the l purpose or no?

    Reply
    • Sam says

      December 1, 2020 at 10:57 pm

      Hi! Truthfully I have not tried this recipe with cake flour, if you substitute it properly (I believe the substitute is 1 cup + 2 Tbsp of cake flour for every cup of all purpose flour) then I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. It will most likely result in a lighter crumb, which isn’t my preference with carrot cake which I prefer a bit more dense, but I think the cake would still turn out quite well 🙂 Would love to know how it works for you if you try it!

      Reply
      • Nana says

        December 8, 2020 at 6:52 pm

        I made it with cake flour and although it wasn’t bad, it was much more crumbly/drier. I definitely should have went with all purpose!

      • Sam says

        December 8, 2020 at 9:17 pm

        Thanks for the feedback! 🙂

  8. Emmalee says

    November 23, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    5 stars
    Hey, Sam! I was wondering how many cups of batter this cake yields. I was going to use this recipe for a Thanksgiving carrot bundt cake and I wanted to see if my bundt pan would be a good size. Thank you for posting this recipe!😊

    Reply
    • Sam says

      November 23, 2020 at 9:52 pm

      Hi Emmalee! It should make about 8 cups of batter. 🙂

      Reply
      • Emmalee says

        November 25, 2020 at 3:26 pm

        Thanks, Sam!

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The author (Sam) in blue shirt holding donut Hi, I'm Sam! I'm dedicated to bringing you sweet, simple, and from-scratch dessert recipes. My life may or may not be controlled by my sweet tooth. Send help (or chocolate). Read more about me.

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