Moist Spiced Carrot Cake (Printable)

Moist spiced carrot cake with nuts and pineapple, topped with creamy frosting. Perfect for celebrations and gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cake

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
05 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
06 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1 cup granulated sugar
09 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
10 - 1 cup vegetable oil
11 - 4 large eggs
12 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
13 - 2 cups grated carrots (about 3–4 medium carrots)
14 - 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
15 - 1 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
16 - 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

→ Cream Cheese Frosting

17 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
18 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
19 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
20 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
21 - Pinch of salt

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
05 - Fold grated carrots, chopped nuts, crushed pineapple, and optional raisins into batter.
06 - Evenly distribute batter between prepared pans. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
07 - Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
08 - Beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; beat until light and fluffy.
09 - Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides once layers are completely cool.
10 - Optionally, decorate with additional nuts or grated carrot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Incredibly Moist: The combination of oil, carrots, and pineapple ensures a tender crumb that stays fresh for days.
  • Perfectly Spiced: A warm blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger gives this cake its signature comforting flavor.
  • Rich Frosting: The tangy, sweet cream cheese frosting is the perfect counterpart to the spiced cake.
  • Crowd-Pleaser: A classic favorite that's guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering or special occasion.
02 -
  • Cool Completely: Ensure cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Parchment Paper is Key: Lining the pans with parchment paper guarantees the cakes will release easily.
  • Soften Ingredients: For the smoothest frosting, make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature before beating.
  • Don't Overmix: Mix the batter only until the dry ingredients are just combined to keep the cake tender.
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