The Ultimate Rich, Spiced, and Irresistibly Creamy Carrot Cake! 🎉
This Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is everything a perfect carrot cake should be—ultra-soft, packed with fresh carrots and sweet pineapple, richly spiced, and finished with a dreamy layer of tangy cream cheese frosting. Whether it’s for a birthday, Easter, or an everyday treat, this cake will have everyone asking for seconds!
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Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe Overview
Fluffy yet rich, moist without being dense, and spiced just right—this carrot cake takes everything you love about the classic and dials it up a notch with the tropical sweetness of pineapple and optional crunchy walnuts.
- Flavor: Warm cinnamon spice with sweet carrots and tangy cream cheese
- Texture: Moist, tender crumb with a luscious, velvety frosting
- Perfect For: Holidays, birthdays, potlucks, and cozy celebrations
- Bonus: No mixer needed for the cake—super simple!
Ingredients List
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Necessary Tools for Preparation
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer (for frosting)
- Grater (for carrots)
- 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round cake pans
- Whisk and spatula
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pan(s). - Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. - Cream Butter & Sugars
In another bowl, cream butter with granulated and brown sugar until light and fluffy. - Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla. - Combine & Fold
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and walnuts if using. - Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan(s) and bake 30–35 minutes (round pans) or 40–45 minutes (9×13 pan), until a toothpick comes out clean. - Cool
Let cakes cool completely before frosting. - Make the Frosting
Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until fluffy. - Frost and Decorate
Spread frosting over cooled cake. Decorate with extra chopped walnuts if desired.
Tips for Perfecting the Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Grate carrots finely for a tender cake texture.
- Drain the pineapple well to avoid excess moisture.
- Chill the frosting briefly if it’s too soft before spreading.
- Toast walnuts for extra flavor before folding in!
What to Serve With It
- Hot coffee or chai tea
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- Fresh berries or a pineapple slice
- Light dusting of cinnamon on top!
Storage Instructions
- Room Temp: Store frosted cake loosely covered for 1 day
- Fridge: Keeps well up to 5 days
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers for up to 2 months
General Information
- Occasions: Easter, birthdays, Sunday brunch, cozy fall desserts
- Texture Tip: Use freshly grated carrots (not pre-shredded!) for best moisture
- Frosting Tip: Let cake cool completely to prevent sliding layers
FAQ
Can I make it ahead?
Yes! Bake the cake layers a day ahead and frost before serving.
Can I skip the pineapple?
You can, but it adds great moisture and flavor—highly recommended!
Can I make it gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and check that your baking powder is gluten-free.
Can I double the frosting for layering?
Absolutely—it’s worth it for extra creamy goodness.
Conclusion
This Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a beloved classic for a reason—rich, flavorful, and completely irresistible. It’s the kind of cake that brings people together and disappears faster than you can say “save me a slice!”
Baked it? Show off your cake masterpiece on Pinterest @poulefrecipe! 🎂✨
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Best-Ever Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting 🥕🍰
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is rich, warmly spiced, and packed with carrots and pineapple for a flavorful, tender cake topped with luscious cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Cake:
-
2 cups all-purpose flour
-
1½ tsp baking powder
-
1 tsp baking soda
-
½ tsp salt
-
1 tsp cinnamon
-
½ tsp nutmeg
-
½ tsp ginger
-
½ cup butter
-
1 cup sugar
-
½ cup brown sugar
-
3 large eggs
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
-
2 cups grated carrots
-
½ cup crushed pineapple, drained
-
½ cup walnuts (optional)
Frosting:
-
8 oz cream cheese
-
¼ cup butter
-
2 cups powdered sugar
-
1 tsp vanilla extrac
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease pans.
-
Mix dry ingredients.
-
Cream butter and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla.
-
Mix dry into wet. Fold in carrots, pineapple, and walnuts.
-
Bake 30–45 mins depending on pan size. Cool completely.
-
Beat frosting ingredients until fluffy. Frost cooled cake.
Notes
Use fresh carrots and drained pineapple. Chill frosting if needed before spreading.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
