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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Dessert

Moist Carrot Cake

Published: Apr 1, 2019 · Modified: May 19, 2021 by Anna 36 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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The best recipe for Moist Carrot Cake! Very easy to make and topped with quick vanilla cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts.

Easy one layer cakes are my favorite, just like the popular One-Bowl Chocolate Cake and my Apple Crumb Cake.

Moist Carrot Cake piece on white plate.

This is my go-to carrot cake recipe. It's moist, sweet, delicious and so easy to make. I don't make layer cakes anymore, instead, I go for easy cakes, like my One-Bowl Chocolate Cake. The fewer dishes I need to use, the better. You only need one bowl, one measuring cup and one baking pan to make this delicious treat! Each piece melts in your mouth, and you can't help yourself but reach for another one. This recipe can be made into cupcakes as well.

Ingredients:

  • all-purpose flour
  • white sugar
  • brown sugar
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • cinnamon, ginger, cloves
  • eggs
  • canola oil
  • vanilla extract
  • carrots
  • cream cheese
  • butter
  • powdered sugar

How to make Moist Carrot Cake?

  • Start by greasing and flouring your cake pan or simply line it with parchment paper.
  • Whisk together dry ingredients. Combine wet ingredients in a large measuring cup. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, then fold in carrots. The batter will be thick.
  • Pour batter onto prepared baking pan. Bake until toothpick inserted in a few places comes out clean.
  • Make frosting by beating together cream cheese and butter. Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until creamy. Spread over cake. Chill cake until ready to serve. Top with chopped walnuts or pecans before serving.
Overhead shot of carrot cake batter with shredded carrots in pink bowl.

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Kitchen tools needed:

To make this cake you will need one mixing bowl, a whisk, one large measuring cup (for wet ingredients) and one square or round 8" pan.

Best tips:

  • grate carrots on small hole side of your grater: you won't have long strings of carrots in your cake.
  • measure out the flour: fluff it with a fork or spoon in the container you store your flour in; then spoon it into the measuring cup, level out the top. Do not dip your measuring cup right into the flour. You will end up with too much of it and the cake won't be fluffy and moist.
  • add nuts, raisins or shredded coconut.
  • add cinnamon and nutmeg to frosting for added spice!

More easy dessert recipes:

  • Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake
  • One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
  • Strawberry Crumble
  • Old-Fashioned Apple Crisp
  • One-Bowl Vanilla Cake

For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Dessert Category.

If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment! 😀

Carrot cake piece on white plate.

Moist Carrot Cake

Author: Anna
The best recipe for Moist Carrot Cake! Very easy to make and topped with quick vanilla cream cheese frosting and chopped nuts.
4.95 from 18 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 9 servings
Calories 443 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cup shredded carrots see note
  • 4 oz. cream cheese softened
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar sifted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 8" square or round cake pan (or line with parchment paper). Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugars, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, ginger and cloves.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • In a large measuring cup, whisk oil with eggs. Add vanilla and whisk well.
    2 large eggs, ½ cup canola oil, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir in with a wooden spoon.
  • Add carrots and stir in well.
    1 ½ cup shredded carrots
  • Pour batter into prepared pan, tap it against the counter to release any air bubbles.
  • Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in a few places comes out clean.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • To make frosting: in a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese for 30 seconds. Add butter and beat for 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar, ¼ cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Spread frosting on cake.
    4 oz. cream cheese, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Chill cake until ready to serve.

Notes

  • to measure out flour properly: fluff it with a fork or spoon in the container you store your flour in; then spoon it into the measuring cup, level out the top. Do not dip your measuring cup right into the flour. You will end up with too much of it and the cake won't be fluffy and moist.
  • grate carrots on small hole side of your grater
  • the cream cheese and butter should be very soft, as in you have to scrape it off the wrapper

Nutrition

Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 103mg | Potassium: 167mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 3940IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

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Comments

    4.95 from 18 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Kris says

    January 22, 2020 at 11:30 am

    If I used round pans, how tall would the cakes be after baking??

    Reply
  2. Laura says

    April 16, 2019 at 9:08 am

    5 stars
    Looks amazing, could this be adapted for cupcakes? What do you think the baking time would be?

    Reply
  3. Vanessa says

    April 07, 2019 at 8:13 pm

    Looks delicious! I noticed in the pictures you can see nuts in the cake, but you don't mention nuts in the recipe.

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 08, 2019 at 10:21 pm

      Hi Vanessa! Yes, you can add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts if you like. I hope you love the cake!

      Reply
      • Ella says

        August 09, 2020 at 9:39 am

        Can you use cinnamon and nutmeg instead of ginger and cloves

      • Anna says

        March 25, 2021 at 11:48 am

        You sure can!

  4. Patricia says

    April 05, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    Carrot cake is one of my faves, and not one I make often. This recipe looks really easy to put together, and it look soooo delicious! I see this in my future!

    Reply
  5. Erin says

    April 03, 2019 at 6:24 pm

    5 stars
    This couldn't be any more perfect! This was a huge hit in my house!

    Reply
  6. Taylor says

    April 03, 2019 at 1:01 pm

    5 stars
    So moist and delicious! Love the frosting on top!

    Reply
  7. Bee says

    April 03, 2019 at 3:26 am

    Your cake looks amazing. It looks really hearty and full of spicy goodness. I like how you decorated just the top with the cream cheese and nuts. Gorgeous! I want a slice right now.

    Reply
  8. Chrissie Baker says

    April 03, 2019 at 3:24 am

    This looks delicious! Now I have to add ANOTHER possible Easter dessert to my list — how am I going to decide?!

    Reply
  9. Katerina says

    April 03, 2019 at 2:51 am

    5 stars
    Such a faaantastic recipe!!

    Reply
  10. Beth Pierce says

    April 02, 2019 at 8:11 pm

    5 stars
    I have been wanting to teach my daughter how to prepare for Easter brunch for our household; this will be a great recipe for her to attempt for the first time! Yum!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:44 pm

      It's so easy and absolutely delicious! Thanks, Beth!

      Reply
  11. Dorothy Reinhold says

    April 02, 2019 at 6:46 pm

    I may have to make a trial batch before Easter dinner. It would be a shame if I had to eat them all myself!

    Reply
  12. Sommer says

    April 02, 2019 at 1:40 pm

    5 stars
    Totally adding this to my Easter day menu!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks, Sommer!

      Reply
  13. Taylor says

    April 02, 2019 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    This carrot cake looks like a dream! So yummy!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks, Taylor!

      Reply
  14. Katerina says

    April 02, 2019 at 9:25 am

    5 stars
    Oh my goodness, this looks incredible!! I bet it tastes amazing!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:43 pm

      It sure does! 😀

      Reply
  15. Eden says

    April 01, 2019 at 11:17 pm

    5 stars
    Love the brown sugar and oil in this. Makes is so moist!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Yes! So moist and delicious!

      Reply
  16. Kimberly says

    April 01, 2019 at 10:56 pm

    5 stars
    That is pure deliciousness right now, SO good!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      April 02, 2019 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks, Kimberly!

      Reply
Newer Comments »
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