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Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is the carrot cake that converts people who think they don’t like carrot cake. It’s incredibly moist, perfectly spiced, and that cream cheese frosting is absolutely divine. The carrots add moisture and a subtle sweetness while the spices create warmth and depth. The cream cheese frosting is tangy enough to balance the sweetness perfectly. It’s the kind of cake that gets requested for every birthday and holiday.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup oil
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Make sure your oven is fully preheated before putting anything in — this ensures even baking from the very first minute.
  2. Mix flour, baking soda, spices, and salt. Always taste as you go — you can add more seasoning, but you can't take it away!
  3. Beat eggs, oil, and sugar.
  4. Stir in carrots and walnuts.
  5. Fold in dry ingredients.
  6. Pour into greased pans.
  7. Bake 30-35 minutes. Every oven is a little different, so start checking a few minutes early. You're looking for a golden color and a wonderful aroma filling your kitchen.
  8. Beat cream cheese and butter.
  9. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.
  10. Frost cooled cake. I know it's tempting to dig in right away, but this resting time allows everything to set properly and makes a real difference in the final result.