Flavors Worth Savoring
Moist and Easy Carrot Cake Recipe – Perfect for Dessert Lovers
Course: DessertCuisine: French, Italian, GreekDifficulty: MeduimServings
8
servingsPrep time
20
minutesCooking time
40
minutesCalories
400
kcalDescription of Recipe:
This Moist and Easy Carrot Cake Recipe is a delicious, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. Grated carrots are mixed with a blend of warm spices, chopped nuts, and a rich cream cheese frosting, creating a classic carrot cake that’s moist, flavorful, and beautifully textured. Whether you’re following the Mediterranean diet, looking for a vegetarian-friendly treat, or just craving a slice of homemade cake, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Taste, Smell, and Texture:
Taste: The cake has a perfectly balanced sweetness, with a hint of cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla, and the cream cheese frosting adds a tangy, creamy contrast.
Smell: The aroma of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg fills the kitchen, combined with the sweet scent of baking cake.
Texture: The carrot cake is moist, soft, and slightly dense, with bits of shredded carrot and crunchy nuts throughout, and a smooth, velvety frosting on top.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for a GF version)
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
¾ cup granulated sugar
½ cup brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil or olive oil (for Mediterranean adaptation)
2 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1 tsp vanilla extractFor the Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp milk (optional, for a smoother texture)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper. - Prepare the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside. - Mix the Wet Ingredients:
In another bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vegetable oil (or olive oil) until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract. - Combine Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple (if using), and chopped nuts. - Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. - Make the Frosting:
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, and mix until creamy. Add milk if needed to achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. - Frost the Cake:
Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Garnish with extra chopped nuts if desired.
- How to Serve:
Serve slices of the carrot cake with a hot cup of tea or coffee.
For a Mediterranean twist, drizzle a bit of honey over each slice before serving.
Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or some grated orange zest for extra flavor.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Remarks, Tips, and Ideas:
Tip: For a healthier version, replace half of the oil with unsweetened applesauce.
Idea: Add ½ cup of raisins to the batter for added sweetness and texture.
Variation: Use a bundt pan for a more elegant presentation or make cupcakes instead for individual servings. - This Classic Carrot Cake Recipe is an irresistible dessert that brings together the sweetness of grated carrots, the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg, and the rich creaminess of homemade cream cheese frosting. Adaptable for various diets, including Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, and DASH, this carrot cake offers a moist, flavorful, and satisfying treat for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying it as a weekend indulgence or serving it at a gathering, this cake is sure to be a hit with everyone!
