My Husband's Favorite Carrot Cake

Delight your taste buds with "My Husband's Favorite Carrot Cake," a moist and flavorful dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite. Packed with freshly grated carrots, warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and the perfect hint of sweetness from both granulated and brown sugars, this cake strikes the ideal balance between cozy and indulgent. The optional addition of crunchy walnuts brings a delightful texture, while the creamy, rich homemade cream cheese frosting takes this treat to the next level of decadence. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, or simply celebrating the everyday, this tender two-layer carrot cake is easy to make with just 20 minutes of prep time and bakes to golden perfection in 35 minutes. Whether decorated with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a crown of walnuts, every slice is an irresistible masterpiece of flavor and texture.

Nutriscore Rating: 42/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1.25 cups vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots (about 4-5 medium carrots)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream (optional, to adjust frosting consistency)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined. Set aside.

Step 3

In another large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix well using a handheld or stand mixer.

Step 4

Add the eggs one at a time to the sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 5

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 6

Fold in the grated carrots and walnuts (if using) by hand until evenly distributed.

Step 7

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.

Step 8

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.

Step 9

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10

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

Step 11

Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream to reach your desired consistency.

Step 12

Once the cakes are completely cool, assemble them. Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand and spread a generous layer of frosting on top.

Step 13

Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake evenly.

Step 14

Decorate as desired with chopped walnuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2581.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9695.7

Total Fat 539.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 160.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 168g
Cholesterol 1254.1mg	0%
Sodium 6401.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1184.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 32.8g	0%
Total Sugars 898.7g
Protein 96.3g	0%

Vitamin D 171.8IU	0%
Calcium 860.0mg	0%
Iron 25.7mg	0%
Potassium 2867.2mg	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: 48.7%

Protein: 3.9%

Carbs: 47.5%