Carrot Cake

The Ultimate Carrot Cake: Moist, Easy, and Irresistibly Delicious

Calling all carrot cake lovers (and soon-to-be lovers)! Today, we’re sharing our show-stopping carrot cake recipe that has taken the internet by storm. This isn’t just any carrot cake – it’s the real deal. It’s moist, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, making it a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

With over 4 million views and counting on our Chef Tips YouTube channel, this recipe holds the title of our No. 1 hit. And there’s a good reason why.

This carrot cake is:

  • Moist and flavorful: Packed with grated carrots, warm spices, and crunchy walnuts, this cake is bursting with deliciousness in every bite.
  • Easy to make: No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques required. This recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
  • Unbelievably versatile: Enjoy it as a classic dessert, a decadent breakfast treat, or even a delightful afternoon snack.

Ready to fall in love with carrot cake? Let’s gather the ingredients!

Ingredients:

  • For the cake:
    • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
    • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 1/2 cups canola oil
    • 3 cups peeled and shredded carrots 6 medium carrots
    • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
    • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • Raisins and walnuts if desired
  • Cream Cheese Frosting:
    • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
    • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 tablespoon sour cream

🎬 Watch How to Make This Recipe

Want to see this recipe come to life? Check out this video where I walk you through the entire process, step-by-step!

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the cake bakes evenly and reaches the perfect golden brown color.
  2. Make Frosting: Blend in food processor and scrape down sides until well incorporated. Chill until ready for use.
  3. Make the Carrot Cake: Mix eggs and sugar in food processor until frothy. Drizzle in canola oil. Mix another 20 seconds. Transfer to medium sized mixing bowl. Stir in carrots and flour, mixing well. Add spices and mix well. Add baking powder, soda and salt.
  4. Time to Bake: Transfer batter to a lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray or butter. Bake at 350 F in middle rack for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven.
  5. Cool completely: Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool completely in the pans on a wire rack before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting Magic

While this recipe focuses on the perfect carrot cake, we can’t forget the dreamy cream cheese frosting. Here’s my video on how to make it perfect, every time.

Tips & Tricks:

  • Love raisins or walnuts? Feel free to add 1 cup of chopped raisins or walnuts to the batter. However, keep in mind that this may increase the baking time by 5-10 minutes. Be sure to keep an eye on the cake after 30 minutes and adjust the baking time as needed.
  • Breakfast of champions: This carrot cake doubles as a delicious breakfast treat! Toast a slice in your toaster oven and spread it with your favorite cream cheese, butter, or even a drizzle of honey for a satisfying and flavorful start to your day.
  • Leftover love: Leftover carrot cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

So, ditch the store-bought cakes and bake this easy and delicious carrot cake at home. It’s guaranteed to become a new favorite for you and your loved ones. Enjoy!

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Photo of Chef Tips Carrot Cake Recipe

Best Carrot Cake Recipe

Recipe by Jason Hill – CookingSessions.com
Chef Jason Hill shares his favorite carrot cake recipe in this episode of "Chef Tips." This carrot cake recipe makes a perfect dessert for any other occasion. If you want to add raisins or walnuts, you may need to cook it a bit longer. Just keep an eye on it after about 30 minutes or so. Hope you enjoy this easy recipe for carrot cake at your next family gathering, and don’t forget to top it with my cream cheese frosting!
This recipe was adapted from Cooks Illustrated.
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups canola oil
  • 3 cups peeled and shredded carrots 6 medium carrots
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Raisins and walnuts if desired

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon sour cream

Instructions
 

Make Frosting

  • Blend in food processor and scrape down sides until well incorporated. Chill until ready for use.

Make Carrot Cake

  • Mix eggs and sugar in food processor until frothy. Drizzle in canola oil. Mix another 20 seconds. Transfer to medium sized mixing bowl. Stir in carrots and flour, mixing well. Add spices and mix well. Add baking powder, soda and salt.
  • Transfer batter to a lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray or butter. Bake at 350 F in middle rack for 35-40 minutes.
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Keyword cake, carrots, cream cheese, dessert
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AboutJason Hill

Hi, I’m Jason Hill, host of YouTube’s “Chef Tips” series. I graduated from culinary school in 1998, and gained my experience working the lines in Southern California. I launched my cooking videos in 2007. I love sharing quick and easy recipes that get people back in the kitchen.

5 Comments

  1. Thank you chef Jason for the lesson, i don’t buy carrots cake but bake them because that the best carrots cake ever and make me feel like a pro, i even bake carrot cake for family and friends. Thank you chef Jason.
    N/B ;- I am searching for your pumpkin bread and other recipes.

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