Desserts > Holiday & Seasonal Desserts > Easter Desserts Recipes > Carrot Cake Recipe

Easter Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Celebrate Easter with this moist and flavorful carrot cake, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. A delightful dessert for your holiday gathering.

This cake is perfect for those who appreciate a balance of spice, sweetness, and a creamy, decadent frosting. It's relatively easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
30-35 minutes
Servings
12
Ingredients
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons Baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups Granulated sugar
  • 1 cup Vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 3 cups Grated carrots
  • 1 cup Chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups Powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Milk

Prepare the Cake Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

Add Carrots and Nuts

Fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts.

Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Prepare the Frosting

In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Add the milk and mix until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Frost the Cake

Once the cake is completely cooled, frost it with the cream cheese frosting. Decorate with extra chopped nuts or carrot shavings if desired.

Nutrition Facts Estimated per 100g of product

Calories: 350kcal, Carbohydrates: 40g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 20g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 25g.
Note: These values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and preparation methods.

Other Important Considerations for Nutrition

This cake is high in sugar and fat due to the frosting and oil content. Consider using a lighter cream cheese or reducing the amount of sugar in the frosting. Also, opting for whole wheat flour can slightly increase the fiber content.

FAQ

  • Can I make this cake ahead of time?

    Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance and store it, tightly wrapped, at room temperature. Frost it just before serving.
  • Can I freeze this cake?

    Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
  • What can I use instead of nuts?

    If you have a nut allergy, you can omit the nuts entirely or substitute with shredded coconut or dried cranberries.