Description
This Easy Chocolate Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a moist, flavorful dessert that combines the earthiness of fresh carrots, rich unsweetened cocoa, and warm spices, topped with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for family gatherings, parties, or everyday treats, it offers a perfect balance of sweetness and texture with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 2 cups freshly grated carrots
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease your cake pan. Finely grate the carrots and measure all dry and wet ingredients for easy mixing.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and spices.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk the eggs with granulated and brown sugars until light and fluffy, then mix in the vegetable oil and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Finally, fold in the grated carrots until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar along with lemon juice or zest, mixing until light and fluffy.
- Frost and Serve: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Chill briefly if desired, then slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Grate Carrots Finely: Ensures the carrots cook well and maintain moisture without sogginess.
- Do Not Overmix: Overworking batter can cause a dense cake; mix just until combined.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Eggs and cream cheese at room temperature help achieve smoother batter and frosting.
- Check Oven Temperature: Accurate oven temperature prevents under- or over-baking.
- Chill Frosting If Needed: Refrigerate frosting briefly if too soft for easier spreading.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12th of cake)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: chocolate carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, moist cake, easy dessert, carrot cake recipe, chocolate cake with carrots