Daddy's Favorite Carrot Cake

Indulge in the rich, nostalgic flavors of "Daddy's Favorite Carrot Cake," a moist and tender dessert that’s packed with wholesome ingredients and a touch of love. Featuring freshly grated carrots, the natural sweetness of crushed pineapple, and a spiced kick of cinnamon, this classic carrot cake recipe hits all the right notes. Topped with a luscious homemade cream cheese frosting that’s perfectly tangy and silky smooth, each bite is an irresistible balance of sweetness and warmth. Simple to prepare yet absolutely show-stopping, this cake is perfect for celebrations or as a heartwarming treat anytime. Whether you include the optional pecans or walnuts for a nutty crunch or savor it as is, this two-layer masterpiece yields 12 generous servings and comes together in just an hour. Try it for your next family gathering—we promise it’ll become an instant favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 0.5 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
• 0.75 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 tablespoons milk (if needed for thinning frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.

Step 3

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 4

Gradually incorporate the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Step 5

Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and nuts (if using), ensuring an evenly distributed batter.

Step 6

Divide the batter equally between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9

While the cakes are cooling, make the cream cheese frosting. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.

Step 10

Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.

Step 11

Mix in the vanilla extract and add milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed to reach your desired frosting consistency.

Step 12

Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread an even layer of frosting on top of one cake. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides until fully covered.

Step 13

Decorate with additional chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired. Slice and serve!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2485.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8824.3

Total Fat 466.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 150.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 134.4g
Cholesterol 1255.9mg	0%
Sodium 5015.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1139.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 31.3g	0%
Total Sugars 914.6g
Protein 80.1g	0%

Vitamin D 237.3IU	0%
Calcium 683.4mg	0%
Iron 21.8mg	0%
Potassium 2131.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.3%

Protein: 3.5%

Carbs: 50.2%