This is a simple 9×13 carrot cake that is a long time favorite of the family. It is a staple at celebrations and is great for for Easter. Of course it is topped with a cream cheese frosting that compliments the moist cake perfectly.
If moist, delicious, flavorful carrot cake is what you are after, you are in the right place! This great from scratch recipe is easier to make than you might think.
Bake it up into the perfect cake and be sure to make some cream cheese frosting to go on top. Linda uses her classic cream cheese frosting which is fabulous, but sometimes I like to give it a maple cream cheese frosting twist!
This recipe has been a favorite in our family for years. It comes from my aunt’s sister-in-law, Linda.
She made it for me when I lived in the St. Louis area. It wasn’t too long after I graduated from college, so it has been a few years now.
This cake was one of the dishes that she was known for. If there was a carry-in or bake sale happening, people wanted her to bring a carrot cake.
I instantly fell in love and was lucky enough to enjoy her cakes on several occasions. Then, when my sister went to college nearby, I found a reason to be close enough to enjoy the cake a few more times.
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We all fell in love, so I had to ask for the recipe. Luckily she shared, so now we can all make this delicious cake.
Which is good, because now one of my brothers requests it for his birthday dessert. Now the whole family is in love!
Don’t let the thought of making a cake from scratch scare you off. This is a great one that comes together in a bowl with no fancy methods.
If you have a food processor, grating the carrots is quick and easy too. The whole process is painless, I promise.
Now this famous cake can be in your repertoire too. Just be warned, it is likely you will be expected to make it for all of the events.
Luckily there are worse fates to have!
Homemade Carrot Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Carrot Cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1½ cups vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pound carrots finely grated
- 1 cup chopped walnuts optional
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 3 Tablespoons butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Carrot Cake
- Grease a 9×13 pan and preheat your oven to 350°F
- In a medium bowl, stir together the 2 cups granulated sugar, 2 cups all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoons salt, and 2 teaspoons baking soda until it is lump free and combined. .
- In a large bowl, beat together 4 large eggs, 1 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1½ cups vegetable oil. Add the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Stir in 1 pound carrots and 1 cup chopped walnuts if using. Pour batter into prepared 9×13 pan.
- Bake at 350°F for about 1 hour to an hour and 15 minutes or until browned and springy when touched. Let cool before icing.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream together 3 Tablespoons butter and 8 ounces cream cheese
- Add 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix well, until smooth and creamy.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake.
Notes
Video
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I love carrot cake and must try this!
I hope you love it, thanks!
You can't beat a good carrot cake. I'll also have to check out the maple cream cheese frosting you linked to…. I can't resist anything maple!
I love maple too and the maple cream cheese is the perfect topper for the carrot cake! Thank you!
Yes, time, where do you keep going?! I was thinking back to the last time I dyed my hair and was thinking about doing it again. When I realized how long ago 2005 was I wanted to cry just a little bit.
Thanks for sharing the carrot cake, it looks lovely.
Isn't it ridiculous? It only seems to get worse too! Thanks, Lauren!
This looks so delicious! I love carrot cake and make it from time to time all spring and summer.
Thanks Val!
Carrot cakes are easily one of my favorites but I've never thought to put maple in the frosting. I know that has to be epic beyond my wildest dreams because hi, maple, I adore you :). This cake looks positively divine!
Maple and I have a little thing going too. The warm maple flavor really goes well with the carrot cake. Thank you so much, Kelsie!
Isn't it amazing how fast time flies by? Boggles my mind…..and this carrot cake blows my mind…so very delicious looking.
It is definitely boggling. Thanks, Wendy!
Yum! The hubby's family LOVES carrot cake, I might have to make them this version sometime! 😁And cream cheese frosting is one of my favorites, it just seems like it was made for carrot cake!
Cream cheese frosting and carrot cake are definitely made to go together! I hope they love this recipe!
Yum! Sounds like a great cake and how fun to hear the story!
Mollie
Thank you!
I totally agree, the frosting makes the cake! My husbands loves this cake!
Thank you! We really enjoy this version!
I've never tried carrot cake. I've always wanted to, but I haven't because I thought the recipe was too complicated. Now I see that it isn't. And I like cream cheese, so I'll give this recipe a try. It sure does look delicious and moist!
It really wasn't too hard and sooo good!