Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Icing

Moist, Flavorful & A Perfect Way to Sneak in Veggies! 🥕✨

carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-icing


There are some cakes that instantly feel like a hug in dessert form — and carrot cake is definitely one of them. 🧡 Every family has that one recipe that’s passed around, tweaked, and perfected, and in mine, it’s always been carrot cake. Moist, full of warm spices, and topped with luscious spiced cream cheese icing, this cake has been a showstopper at our family gatherings for as long as I can remember.

I still recall the first time my aunt baked it for a family Sunday lunch. We kids were skeptical — “Carrots in cake? No way!” 🙅‍♀️ But after the first bite, we were hooked. The earthy sweetness of the carrots, the crunch from walnuts, the warm cinnamon-spice aroma, and that tangy cream cheese frosting… oh, it was heaven.

The best part? You can totally tell your little ones it’s a “veggie cake” — and they’ll happily devour it without complaint. Sneaky, right? 😉

🥕 Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake

✔️ Super moist with a tender crumb
✔️ Packed with warm spices (cinnamon, nutmeg & ginger)
✔️ Cream cheese icing with a cozy spiced twist
✔️ Easy to bake, even for beginners
✔️ A crowd-pleaser at birthdays, Easter, or even tea-time

🍰 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 tsp baking powder

  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

  • ½ tsp ground ginger

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 1 cup brown sugar

  • 4 large eggs (room temperature)

  • 1 cup vegetable oil

  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (optional, for extra moisture)

  • 3 cups grated carrots 🥕

  • 1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)

  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

For the Spiced Cream Cheese Icing:

  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)

  • ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)

  • 4 cups powdered sugar

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

⏱️ Prep & Bake Time

  • Prep time: 20 minutes

  • Bake time: 35–40 minutes

  • Cooling time: 30 minutes

  • Total time: About 1 hour 30 minutes

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat the oven – Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or line with parchment paper).

2️⃣ Mix the dry ingredients – In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

3️⃣ Whisk the wet ingredients – In another bowl, beat together sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and applesauce until smooth.

4️⃣ Combine wet & dry – Gradually add the dry mixture into the wet mixture. Stir until just combined (don’t overmix!).

5️⃣ Fold in the goodies – Add grated carrots, pineapple, and walnuts. Gently fold them in for that moist, nutty bite.

6️⃣ Bake it – Pour batter evenly into pans and bake for 35–40 minutes. Cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

7️⃣ Cool completely – Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

8️⃣ Make the spiced cream cheese icing – Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix until creamy and fluffy.

9️⃣ Frost your cake – Spread icing over the first cake layer, add the second layer on top, and frost the entire cake. Garnish with extra walnuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

📋 Beautiful Recipe Card

🥕 Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Icing 🧡

✨ Ingredients  
Cake: Flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, oil, applesauce, carrots, pineapple, walnuts  
Frosting: Cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg  

⏱️ Timings  
Prep: 20 min | Bake: 40 min | Cooling: 30 min | Total: 1 hr 30 min  

👩‍🍳 Instructions  
1. Preheat oven (350°F/175°C). Prepare pans.  
2. Mix dry ingredients.  
3. Whisk sugars, eggs, oil, applesauce.  
4. Combine wet & dry.  
5. Fold in carrots, pineapple, walnuts.  
6. Bake 35–40 min.  
7. Cool completely.  
8. Make frosting.  
9. Frost & decorate.  

🍰 Pro Tip: Chill your cake before frosting to avoid crumbs in the icing!

💡 Extra Tips for the Perfect Carrot Cake

🥄 Grate your carrots fresh – Pre-shredded ones are too dry and lack flavor.
🍍 Pineapple = moisture boost – Don’t skip it if you love a tender, juicy crumb.
🧁 Make it cupcakes – Divide batter into muffin tins for carrot cake cupcakes!
🥥 Tropical twist – Add shredded coconut for extra flavor.
❄️ Storage tip – Store in the fridge (airtight) up to 5 days. Bring to room temp before serving.

👨‍👩‍👧 A Family Favorite

When my family comes over, this cake disappears faster than you can say “extra slice, please!” 😂 Last spring, we had a garden party and I decorated the carrot cake with tiny marzipan carrots — the kids loved it so much they fought over who got the carrot toppers. 🥕💚

Carrot cake isn’t just a dessert. It’s a memory, a tradition, and the kind of cake that makes everyone feel at home. So next time you want to bake something cozy, wholesome, and a little nostalgic — whip up this carrot cake. It’s more than just sneaking in veggies; it’s sneaking in happiness with every bite. ✨

Other related blogs:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Perfect Iced Caramel Macchiato

Image
  The Perfect Iced Caramel Macchiato: Your At-Home Barista Guide The Perfect Iced Caramel Macchiato: Your At-Home Barista Guide Elevate your coffee experience with this easy-to-make Iced Caramel Macchiato. Feature Image. Who doesn't love the rich, sweet, and utterly satisfying taste of an Iced Caramel Macchiato? That delightful layering of milk, vanilla, espresso, and a generous drizzle of caramel just hits different, especially on a warm day. While grabbing one from your favorite coffee shop is always a treat, imagine being able to whip up a barista-quality version right in your own kitchen! Not only is it incredibly rewarding, but it's also a fantastic way to save a few bucks in the long run. In this comprehensive guide, we're going to break down the Iced Caramel Macchiato, demystify its layers, and provide you with a step-by-step recipe that's so easy, you'll wonder why you ever bought o...
Read more

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Image
A Timeless Classic with a Velvety Crumb and Tangy-Sweet Frosting ❤️🎂 Some recipes are more than just food — they’re tradition, comfort, and love served on a plate. For me, the Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting falls right into that category. Every bite reminds me of family gatherings, warm laughter, and that special moment when the cake comes to the table and everyone’s eyes light up. I’ll never forget the first time I baked this cake for my aunt’s visit. She was traveling from out of town, and I wanted to surprise her with something homemade, something a little more special than the usual chocolate or vanilla cake . My aunt has always had a soft spot for red velvet, so I rolled up my sleeves, preheated the oven, and got to work. That day turned into a memory I’ll cherish forever — a kitchen filled with the scent of cocoa, the sound of clinking teacups, and family gathered around, waiting for the first slice. 🍰 The Charm of Red Velvet Cake What makes this cake such a c...
Read more

My Cozy Afternoon Baking Lemon Drizzle Cake 🍋✨

Image
There’s something about rainy afternoons that makes me crave baking. The smell of butter, sugar, and citrus filling the kitchen feels like the warmest hug. Last weekend, I decided to bake my all-time favorite — a classic lemon drizzle cake . Honestly, every time I make it, I fall in love all over again. It’s simple, bright, and has that addictive crunchy lemon glaze that I can’t resist. So, grab a cup of tea and let me share not just the recipe, but my little baking story too. Who knows, maybe by the end, you’ll be tempted to preheat your oven right away. 😉 Why Lemon Drizzle Cake Feels Special 💛 I’ve baked many cakes — chocolate, vanilla, carrot — but this one always makes me smile. Maybe it’s because it reminds me of visiting my grandmother. She always had a loaf cooling on the counter, and as kids, we’d sneak tiny pieces before dinner (sorry, Grandma 😅). What makes a lemon drizzle cake so different from other bakes is that magic moment when you pour lemon juice mixed with su...
Read more