Carrot Cake

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This classic carrot cake is everything you want in a homemade bake — moist, gently spiced, and packed with freshly grated carrots for natural sweetness. A touch of cinnamon and nutmeg adds warmth, while optional walnuts or raisins bring extra texture. The cake is finished with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting that balances the sweetness perfectly. Whether baked as a show-stopping layer cake or a simple traybake, it’s a timeless recipe that works for birthdays, tea-time treats, or any occasion where comfort and indulgence are welcome.

Ingredients

  • For the cake:

    • 250.00g plain flour
    • 2.00tsp baking powder
    • 1.00tsp baking soda
    • 0.50tsp salt
    • 2.00tsp ground cinnamon
    • 0.50tsp ground nutmeg
    • 0.50tsp ground ginger
    • 150.00g brown sugar
    • 50.00g white sugar
    • 4.00large eggs
    • 200.00ml sunflower oil
    • 2.00tsp vanilla extract
    • 300.00g grated carrots
    • 100.00g chopped walnuts or pecans
    • 50.00g raisins
  • For the frosting:

    • 200.00g cream cheese
    • 100.00g unsalted butter, softened
    • 100.00g icing sugar, sifted
    • 1.00tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • For the cake:

    1. Prep: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line two 20 cm (8-inch) round cake tins.
    2. Dry mix: Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
    3. Wet mix: In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugars, sunflower oil, and vanilla until smooth.
    4. Combine: Stir dry ingredients into wet until just combined. Fold in grated carrots, nuts, and raisins if using.
    5. Bake: Divide batter between tins and bake 30–35 minutes until a skewer comes out clean. Cool completely.
  • For the frosting:

    1. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in icing sugar and vanilla. Adjust sugar to taste for a lighter frosting.
  • Assemble:

    1. Frost between layers and on top. Optionally decorate with extra nuts or a dusting of cinnamon.
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