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Carrot cake recipes from scratch on rustic wood table

Classic Carrot Cake From Scratch

This classic carrot cake recipe from scratch is moist, richly spiced, and made with simple pantry ingredients. Freshly grated carrots, warm spices, and optional pineapple create a tender crumb, finished with a tangy homemade cream cheese frosting.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 410
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp ground cloves
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups freshly grated carrots
  • 0.5 cup crushed pineapple (optional)
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Equipment

  • mixing bowls
  • whisk
  • hand mixer
  • box grater
  • two 9-inch cake pans

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
  3. In another bowl, beat together granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients gently until just combined.
  5. Stir in grated carrots and optional pineapple or nuts.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  7. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting with cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 410kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 5gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 320mgPotassium: 210mgFiber: 2gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 4100IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 55mgIron: 1.6mg

Notes

Grate carrots fresh for best moisture. Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake tender. Let the cake cool completely before frosting. Optional add-ins include crushed pineapple, walnuts, coconut, or raisins.

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