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The Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

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A moist, flavorful carrot cake with a soft crumb paired with a thick, fluffy, and tangy cream cheese frosting, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups lightly packed grated carrots (about 300g)
  • 4 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups packed light brown sugar (300g)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (125g)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
  • ½ cup sour cream or yogurt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
  • For the cream cheese frosting:
  • 1 (8-ounce) package brick-style cream cheese (226g), softened
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
  3. In another large bowl, beat together the eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until combined.
  4. Add oil, applesauce, and sour cream to the wet ingredients and mix until fully blended.
  5. Stir in the grated carrots and fold in the chopped walnuts, if using.
  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined; avoid overmixing.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
  8. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Allow cakes to cool in pans for 20 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  10. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  11. Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until fluffy; stir in vanilla extract and lemon juice if using.
  12. Once cakes are completely cool, spread frosting evenly between layers and over the top and sides of the cake.
  13. Chill cake if desired to help set the frosting before serving.

Notes

1. For extra moistness, do not overmix the batter. 2. Walnuts add a nice crunch but can be omitted or substituted with pecans. 3. Lemon juice in frosting adds a subtle tang, enhancing flavor.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.receipster.com/carrot-cake-cream-cheese-frosting/

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