Spring brings to mind images of flowers blooming, bunnies hopping around in fresh, green grass, and gardens growing with the season’s freshest fruits and vegetables. And nothing says spring like the sweet, juicy taste of carrots! This delicious, 5-star Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is sure to be a hit at your next spring celebration, whether it’s for Easter, Mother’s Day, graduation or just because.
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This absolutely delectable three-layered concoction is simple to make and comes together in just an hour. In this recipe, carrots naturally burst with flavor along with a touch of cinnamon, which are balanced nicely with the flavor and crunch of walnuts and smooth, melt-in-your-mouth cream cheese frosting. Moist and delicious, this cake has a delightfully sweet, nutty flavor.
How to Make This Recipe
Before you begin, here are the ingredients you’ll need to gather.
For the cake:
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 eggs, large
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 (4-oz.) jars of pureed carrot baby food
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup California walnuts, chopped. Plus additional for garnish.
- 1 medium or 2 small carrots, peeled and shredded
For the frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
Step 1: Get prepared
Preheat oven to 350°F and coat two 8-inch round or three 6-inch round baking pans with baking spray.
Step 2: Mix dry and wet ingredients for the cake
Stir together all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Whisk together oil, vanilla, eggs and baby food in another bowl. Add to dry ingredients and mix well; stir in walnuts and carrots. Pour equal amounts into prepared pans.
Step 3: Bake the cake, let it cool
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The cake is done when the edges start to break away from the sides. Cool on a wire rack.
Step 4: Make the frosting
To prepare frosting, beat the butter, vanilla and cream cheese in a large mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment for 1 minute on medium speed. Slowly add powdered sugar and beat for 2 minutes more or until light and fluffy. Beat in milk or cream.
Step 5: Layer it up and serve!
Place one cake layer on a cake stand or plate, and spread a layer of frosting over the top. Repeat with remaining cake.
Pro tips to make it extra fun
When you’re done baking, turn up the fun factor, and get creative by garnishing your finished cake with some more whole walnuts. You can put some on top, around the middle or down the sides. Then add a pretty springtime pop of color to your cake by placing some colorful spring flowers on top. Or use fresh edible flowers. You can often find edible flowers at your local market.
