Here’s a moist, flavorful Carrot Walnut Cake — packed with warm spices, chopped walnuts, and rich cream cheese frosting. It’s classic, cozy, and perfect for any occasion.
🥕 Carrot Walnut Cake
Ingredients (for one 9×13-inch cake or two 8-inch layers)
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ginger (optional)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (200 g) brown sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Add-Ins
- 3 cups (about 3–4) grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Optional: ½ cup raisins or crushed pineapple (drained)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat oven
- Set to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour your baking pan(s).
2. Mix dry ingredients
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. Mix wet ingredients
- In a large bowl, whisk oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well.
- Stir in the vanilla.
4. Combine mixtures
- Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix gently until combined.
- Fold in grated carrots and walnuts (and raisins/pineapple if using).
5. Bake
- Pour batter into the pan.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes for a 9×13, or 25–30 minutes for layered cakes.
- Cake is done when a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Cool completely
- Let cool before frosting.
🎂 Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2–3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually until desired thickness.
- Mix in vanilla (and cinnamon if desired).
- Spread over cooled cake.
- Sprinkle extra chopped walnuts on top.
🌟 Tips & Variations
- Extra moisture: Add ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained well).
- Warm & spicy: Increase cinnamon or add cardamom for a cozy flavor.
- Super tender cake: Use half oil, half applesauce.
- Layered version: Double the frosting for tall, bakery-style layers.
- Nut-free: Replace walnuts with shredded coconut.
If you want, I can also give you:
🥕 Carrot Walnut Cupcakes
🍍 Carrot Cake with Pineapple
🌰 Spiced Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Frosting
Just tell me!
