Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
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Ingredients (18)
For the cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup whole-milk plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and grated on the large holes of a box grater or with a metal grating attachment in a food processor (about 5 cups)
- 1 cup walnut halves (about 3 ounces)
For the frosting:
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese (1 pound), at room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
If you don’t have the time or inclination to make our layered Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting, make this equally delicious and easy recipe that uses a standard 13-by-9-inch baking dish. First, whisk the dry ingredients together, then the wet ingredients, and then combine them. Fold in a generous amount of shredded carrots and bake. When the cake is cooled, spread a thick layer of tangy cream cheese frosting on top and sprinkle it with some toasted walnuts for a little crunch.
For more inspiration, check out our Red Velvet Cake and Tres Leches Cake.
Instructions
For the cake:
- 1Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
- 2Place the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to aerate and break up any lumps; set aside.
- 3Place the eggs, sugars, oil, and yogurt in a large bowl and whisk until the eggs are broken up and the mixture is thoroughly combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the flour mixture until just combined. Stir in the carrots until evenly mixed.
- 4Pour the batter into a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish (no need to coat with butter), smoothing it into the corners with the rubber spatula.
- 5Bake, rotating the dish after 20 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center comes out dry with just a few crumbs, about 40 to 50 minutes total. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting, at least 2 hours. Meanwhile, toast the nuts.
- 6Place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake until lightly browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a cutting board to cool slightly, coarsely chop them, and set aside.
For the frosting:
- 1Place the butter and cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat on medium-high speed until light, fluffy, and fully incorporated, about 3 minutes.
- 2Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle with a rubber spatula. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Turn the mixer to low and mix until the sugar is incorporated, about 30 seconds.
- 3Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle again. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and mix until the frosting is creamy and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- 4Spread all of the frosting in an even layer over the cooled cake and evenly sprinkle the toasted nuts over the frosting. If you don’t plan to eat the cake within 4 hours, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Before serving, let the cake sit at room temperature for about 45 minutes to take the chill off.
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