Description
A moist, tender carrot cake topped with creamy cream cheese frosting. This classic dessert combines warm spices, sweet carrots, and pineapple.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment if you like for easy removal.
- Measure and prep all ingredients. Grate the carrots and drain the crushed pineapple well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat together the vegetable oil, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir in the grated carrots and drained crushed pineapple.
- Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Fold in the chopped nuts if using.
- Do not overmix; stop when the batter is uniform.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edges and turn the layers out onto wire racks.
- Cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth after each addition. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- If the frosting is too soft, chill 15–20 minutes.
- Spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers, then frost the top and sides.
Notes
Serve slices at room temperature, and pair with coffee or tea. For variations, consider adding coconut or changing the fruit.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 690
- Sugar: 75g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 94g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 80mg