Does carrot cake really taste like carrots? While this classic favorite is made with freshly shredded carrots, it tastes more like a spice cake bursting with cinnamon and walnut goodness. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, it’s a match made in heaven. It’s the perfect ending to holiday meals (we love it at Easter or at Thanksgiving, decorated with pumpkin candies and candy corn) but make it your go to for any occasion or even for snacking—it’s just that versatile.
Our fans give this a top rating…and we know why! Not only does it have the right balance of flavors, but it only takes 20 minutes to prep and turns out beautifully every time because it’s been thoroughly tested in the Betty Crocker Kitchens by food experts. No matter what level baker you are—you can be assured this recipe will bring you rave reviews every time you make it.
Yes, yes, and yes! The sweet, tangy flavor of cream cheese frosting makes the flavors of this carrot cake sing (and oh, so indulgent). That’s why we’ve included the best cream cheese frosting for carrot cake, right with the recipe. Other frostings won’t enhance the flavor of our best carrot cake like cream cheese frosting does.
To make a luscious and smooth cream cheese frosting, it’s important to soften the butter and cream cheese correctly. Butter that’s been overly softened (so that any of it is melted) will make the frosting too soft and have a thinner consistency. If the cream cheese is at all still cold when making the frosting, tiny lumps can still remain when making the frosting. It is simple to soften sticks of butter perfectly if you take them out of the fridge when the cake is cooling. Remove the cream cheese and butter from the boxes (leaving the wrappers on) and let them stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Holiday Events: Homemade carrot cake is frequently served at holiday gatherings—everybunny loves it at the big Easter meal! Looking for more Easter dessert ideas? Thanksgiving is another common time to serve it—the rich spice cake has all the coziness of fall.
Birthday Cake or Potluck: It’s a super choice to serve as a birthday cake, too, or bring it to a potluck or serve it with a weeknight dinner.
Anytime Snack: Frankly, it’s so easy to make and always a hit, you don’t need an occasion to dig in! Got a craving for a sweet treat? This is the recipe to keep it in your hip pocket. The nourishing power of carrots is stealthily hidden within in the cake…so it also makes an everyday great snack.
Our carrot cake is so delicious, it’s doubtful you will have any leftovers. If you do, you can enjoy the remaining cake later—as it will be as fresh as the day you made it. The carrots add moistness to the cake which helps it hold up to storage.
Refrigerate: Carrot cake (frosted) can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you baked our carrot cake recipe in a rectangular pan, just cover it with plastic wrap! For a layer cake, simply wrap it on the plate it's on with plastic wrap.
Frozen: Unfrosted cooled carrot cake can be removed from the pan or wrapped in the pan with plastic wrap and frozen for up to 3 months.
Thaw: To thaw, loosen plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for several hours or overnight. Continue as directed in Step 3.
| Food Component / Nutrient | Amount | % , Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Total Fat | 26g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 3&½g | 18% |
| Trans Fat | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | % Value Not Available |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 15g | % Value Not Available |
| Omega-3 | 2140g | % Value Not Available |
| Cholesterol | 55mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 230mg | 10% |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46g | 15% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2g | 9% |
| Soluble Fiber | 0g | % Value Not Available |
| Insoluble Fiber | 1g | % Value Not Available |
| Sugars | 27g | % Value Not Available |
| Protein | 6g | % Value Not Available |
| Vitamin D | Value Not Available | 0% |
| Calcium | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Iron | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Potassium | 170mg | 5% |
| Vitamin A | Value Not Available | 100% |
| Vitamin C | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Vitamin E | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Thiamin | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Riboflavin | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Niacin | Value Not Available | 8% |
| Vitamin B6 | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Folic Acid | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Vitamin B12 | Value Not Available | 2% |
| Pantothenic Acid | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Phosphorus | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Magnesium | Value Not Available | 6% |
| Zinc | Value Not Available | 4% |
| Manganese | Value Not Available | 30% |
| Selenium | Value Not Available | 15% |
| Copper | Value Not Available | 10% |
| Beta-Carotene | Value Not Available | % Value Not Available |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | ||
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