Description
A moist, spiced carrot cake with luscious maple-infused cream cheese frosting that's perfect for celebrations or everyday indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease pans and line with parchment.
- Whisk dry ingredients (flour through salt) in a bowl.
- In another bowl, beat sugars, oil, eggs and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.
- Fold in carrots, pineapple and nuts (if using).
- Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30-40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool in pans 15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks.
- For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and whip until fluffy.
- Frost completely cooled cake.
Notes
- For extra moisture, wrap unfrosted cake layers in plastic while slightly warm
- Frosting can be made 2 days ahead - store in fridge and rewhip before using
- Toast nuts for deeper flavor if including
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: carrot cake, maple frosting, moist cake, cream cheese frosting, dessert