Go Back
A Simple Carrot Cake Dessert, beautifully plated and ready to eat

Simple Carrot Cake Dessert with Cream Cheese Frosting

This simple carrot cake is a delightful dessert topped with luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s easy to make, moist, and bursting with flavor, perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 slices
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • baking pan
  • large bowl
  • whisk
  • medium bowl
  • spatula or wooden spoon
  • wire rack
  • electric mixer

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups shredded carrots
  • ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins Optional

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Preheat & Prep

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan (or two 8-inch round pans).

Combine Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.

Combine Wet & Dry

  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Fold in Carrots (and optional additions)

  • Gently fold in the shredded carrots and any optional additions like chopped nuts or raisins until evenly distributed.

Bake

  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 30-35 minutes for a 9x13 pan, or 25-30 minutes for round pans, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool

  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes, then invert it onto the rack to cool completely before frosting.

Make the Frosting

  • While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Add Powdered Sugar & Vanilla

  • Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until smooth after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract, adjusting consistency with milk or more powdered sugar as needed.

Frost & Serve

  • Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, then slice and enjoy your magnificent Simple Carrot Cake Dessert!

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated carrots. Make sure the cake is completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting. This recipe can also be made into cupcakes; adjust baking time accordingly.