The Best Carrot Cake With Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The BEST carrot cake ever! Creamy, fluffy cream cheese frosting on moist, soft spicy carrot cake! Raisins and walnuts are optional.

INGREDIENTS

Cake batter: – 2 cups 284g all-purpose flour – 1 teaspoon baking powder – ¾ teaspoon baking soda – ½ teaspoon salt – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – ¼ teaspoon each ground allspice, nutmeg and ginger – 2 cups 240g finely grated carrots (from about 3 medium carrots) – ⅔ cup 145g packed light brown sugar – ½ cup 100g granulated sugar – 3 large eggs at room temperature – ⅔ cup 160ml sunflower oil – ½ cup 120ml plain low fat yogurt – ⅓ cup 80ml pure maple syrup – ½ cup 50g coarsely chopped walnut – ½ cup 70g soaked and drained raisins (optional)

INGREDIENTS

Frosting: – ½ cup 113g unsalted butter, softened – 1 ⅔ cups 200g powdered icing sugar, sifted and divided – 1 block 250g cream cheese, softened – 1 ½ teaspoon 7ml lemon juice – ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the oven to 350°F. Prepare two 8-inch round cake pans with little oil and parchment. I prefer taller layers, but you can oil pans if they stick.

Step 1

Make cake batter. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and spices.

Step 2

With an electric hand mixer, beat grated carrots, sugars, and eggs in a large bowl on medium speed. Combine oil, yogurt, and maple syrup.

Step 3

Incorporate half the flour mixture slowly. Mix remaining dry ingredients on low until barely mixed. Do not overmix. Fold in walnuts and raisins if using.

Step 4

Spread batter evenly between pans and bake 28–32 minutes until brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Knife-loosen edges and invert cakes to cool after 15 minutes on a wire rack.

Step 5

Make frosting. For 2 minutes, beat soft butter and 1 cup (120g) icing sugar until frothy. Whisk soft cream cheese cubes one spoonful at a time until thick, fluffy, and pale. 

Step 6

Mix ⅔ cup (80g) icing sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until creamy. One cake layer per plate. Spread 1 cup frosting on top, leaving a ½-inch border. Top with the second layer and gently press down. 

Step 7

Spread thinly on cake. Let chill 15 minutes. If desired, spread the leftover frosting on the cake from top to corners and sides. The naked method shows cake sides better. Slice, serve, enjoy!

Step 8

Delicious Double Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

Also see