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Ultimate Moist Homemade Carrot Cake with Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

Close-up of a slice of Moist Homemade Carrot Cake topped with thick cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts.
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A straightforward recipe for a deeply moist carrot cake featuring warm spices and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

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  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups grated carrots (packed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
  • For Frosting: 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • For Frosting: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • For Frosting: 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • For Frosting: 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until combined. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the grated carrots and nuts, if using.
  6. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until creamy. Mix in the vanilla extract.
  11. Once the cakes are completely cool, frost and stack them.

Notes

  • Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture content.
  • Do not overbake; this is the main cause of dry cake. Check for doneness at 30 minutes.
  • Ensure your cream cheese and butter are truly at room temperature for smooth frosting.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://savorandpin.com/moist-homemade-carrot-cake-recipe/