The Best Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients
FOR CARROT CAKE
- 250 gm All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 1½ tsp Ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp Ground ginger
- ¼ tsp Ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¾ cup Canola or vegetable oil
- 4 qty Eggs room temperature
- 300 gm Light brown sugar
- 100 gm Granulated sugar
- 125 gm Unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 300 gm Grated carrots, lightly packed
FOR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- 8 ounce Brick style cream cheese
- 115 gm Unsalted butter,
- 240 gm Powdered sugar
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
Instructions
FOR CARROT CAKE
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Spray two 9-inch round cake pans well with non stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, applesauce, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Add the grated carrots into the wet ingredients and mix until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk or rubber spatula until just combined, making sure not to over mix the batter.
- Pour the cake batter evenly between both prepared cake pans. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes or until the tops of the cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each one comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack, and allow to cool in the pans for about 20-25 minutes.
- Once the cakes have cooled, remove from the pans and return the cakes to the wire rack to finish cooling.
FOR CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand-held mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the butter and mix for about 30 seconds-1 minute until well combined and smooth.
- Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
FOR ASSEMBLE THE CAKE
- Level the tops of each cake with a knife or cake leveler.
- Place one of the cakes on a cake stand, top with a little over 1/2 cup of the frosting, and smooth it out into one even layer.
- Place the other cake on top and use the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Top with pecans or other toppings of choice if desired.
