Carrot cake may not be the official dessert for the Easter bunny however, it is very popular for the easter table. It is not labor-intensive. If you have a problem with the word moist, this carrot cake doesn't care as it is passionate and true to itself. It has the perfect amount of spices that balance the satiny irresistible cream cheese frosting. Standing tall, It will not make any apologies because it's here! It is moist and has the plural form of flavour, making it the best and easy carrot cake recipe.
As the name implies, it has a lot of carrots but it's not "carrot...y". The caramel from brown sugar and the warm embrace of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, empowers the subtle flavours of carrots. It is very tender but not to the point where it breaks apart into erratic crumbs.
There are many carrot recipes out there that don't make sense to me. Some go for coconut, some add pineapple, trying to be exotic, and yet they call it carrot cake. This is like rubbing the roar of carrots. Why not make a pina colada instead where you'll find everything in one place (one of my favourite drinks and cake). If you crave that specific banana flavour, make banana bread that speaks to itself ( and speaking about banana bread, a generous slather of cream cheese frosting makes it sublime). Raisins, I know some of you love 'em and I don't understand why. Plump sugary raisins in the almost-going-to-melt decadent carrot cake in your mouth???
What makes the best carrot cake?
There are a few things that carrot cake must always have.
- Carrots, Can you think of any dessert that relies on carrots for a dang thing? No matter how many carrots you dump in, you will not be able to taste it. I think carrots are only here for a vitamin A shot (that is why the rabbit's eyes allow them to have a nearly 360 panoramic vision and a keen sense of smell), let's go with that. How does that sound?
- Spices balance the whole cake. From the cake itself to the cream cheese frosting, making it better than on its own. Also, it enhances the mood of the baking process until you savour it.
- Cream Cheese frosting, has the right tinge of tang making it irresistible to our palates. Whatever playful twist you decide to frost carrot cake steer clear of cream cheese, please don't disappoint anybody. Carrots and cream cheese are meant for each other.
Ingredients
This spectacular cake is always at heart, made as a vessel to frost with cream cheese. It literally has carrots, oil, eggs, flour, sugar, salt, spices, cream cheese, and everything nice. Now, Make it for your family and friends anytime you need something superb not only for Easter. They will sing the ohh and ahh praise asking for a second serving.
Nuts are also a great addition, particularly toasted pecans or walnuts. It adds texture and savouriness that blends well with the spices and helps balance the sweetness and the tanginess of the cream cheese. Though it is not necessary, only if you like it. Either fold it in the cake batter or sprinkle around after frosting, that will be a perfect adornment as well. I'm a pro-nuts but nuts don't love one of my family. That is why you'll never find nuts in this recipe.
How to make the easiest carrot cake?
This carrot cake recipe doesn't require elbow grease.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk the oil, eggs and sugar until fully incorporated.
- Sift all the dry ingredients and then add to the wet ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Gently fold in the grated carrots.
- Divide the batter into the prepared baking pan and then bake. Once done, let it cool completely on a cooling rack.
- Make the cream cheese frosting.
Carrot cake comes in different shapes and adorns in different ways. As per tradition, my family never misses my carrot cake, adorned with whole fresh carrots and a chocolate-shaped bunny.
📖 Recipe
THE BEST AND EASY CARROT CAKE RECIPE
Equipment
- 3 9 inches cake pan
- Stand mixer or electric handheld mixer or balloon whisk
- large mixing bowl and rubber spatula
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup (200 g) Granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) Light brown sugar
- 1 ½ cup (327 g) Vegetable oil
- 5 large Eggs, beaten
- 4 cups (400 g) Grated carrots
- 2 ½ cups (320 g) All-purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoon (15 g) Baking soda
- 2 ½ teaspoon (10 g) Baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5.9 g) Salt
- 1 ½ teaspoon (4 g) Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) Nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon (pinch) of ground cloves
For the Frosting
- 2 8 ounces Cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ Cup (113 g) Butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla paste
- ½ teaspoon (3) pink salk
- 7 Cup (875 g) Icing sugar, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line the pans with parchment paper.
For the cake
- In the bowl of a standing mixer, or using a handheld electric mixer and a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and oil until blended at a medium speed. Add the eggs and beat for 1 minute or until fully incorporated.
- Sift all the dry ingredients into the egg mixture and continue beating at a low speed for 2 minutes or until thoroughly mixed. Add the grated carrots, using a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula, combine well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean and the whole kitchen smells amazing.
- Transfer to the cooling rack and let it cool in the pan completely before frosting.
For the Frosting
- In the bowl of a standing mixer, or a handheld electric mixer and a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, salt and vanilla paste at a medium-high speed until creamy and lump-free.
- With a mixer on low, add the icing sugar gradually until fully combined but don't overbeat. Stop when sugar is already mixed.
Assembly
- Smear 3 tablespoons of the frosting on top of the cake stand or cake plate then place the first layer of the cake to hold the cake stay while frosting.
- Spread the frosting between each layer of the cake, the side and top. Enjoy!
Notes
- Love nuts, Add ¾ cup roasted chopped pecans or walnuts in the batter along with the carrots. OR, sprinkle the nuts around the frosted cake.
- The cake must be kept in the fridge. It will still keep itself moist but take it out 20-30 minutes before serving.
- You don't have to use all the spices listed in the ingredients, use what you have. But, opt for cinnamon.
Nutrition
Thank you for coming! Let me know what you think.