Paula's Easy Carrot Cake

Discover the magic of baking with *Paula's Easy Carrot Cake*, a moist and flavorful dessert that's as simple to make as it is delicious. Packed with warm cinnamon spice, sweet grated carrots, and the optional crunch of chopped walnuts, this cake strikes the perfect balance of texture and flavor. Topped with a dreamy cream cheese frosting, this easy carrot cake is a crowd-pleaser for any occasion—from birthdays to weekend gatherings. With just 20 minutes of prep time and common pantry ingredients like all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and vanilla extract, you'll have a made-from-scratch masterpiece in no time. Whether you bake it in two layers or one simple sheet, this foolproof recipe delivers big on taste and presentation. Impress your guests with this classic carrot cake recipe that's sure to become a family favorite! Keywords: easy carrot cake recipe, moist carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, best carrot cake, Paula's carrot cake.

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
• 0.5 cups Brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons Baking powder
• 1 teaspoon 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
• 1 cup Chopped walnuts (optional)
• 8 ounces Cream cheese
• 0.5 cups Unsalted butter
• 4 cups Powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract (for frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9x13-inch pan.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing gently until the batter comes together smoothly.

Step 5

Fold in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts (if using) until evenly combined.

Step 6

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Smooth out the tops with a spatula.

Step 7

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

Step 8

Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 9

While the cake cools, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter together until fluffy and smooth.

Step 10

Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, while mixing on low speed. Add the vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is creamy and well combined.

Step 11

Once the cake is completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting between the cake layers (if using round pans) and cover the top and sides of the cake. For a 9x13-inch cake, simply frost the top evenly.

Step 12

Serve and enjoy your delicious and moist carrot cake!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2283.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8414.7

Total Fat 436.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 118.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 137.8g
Cholesterol 1097.1mg	0%
Sodium 4627.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1100.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 28.9g	0%
Total Sugars 870.7g
Protein 88.4g	0%

Vitamin D 164IU	0%
Calcium 690.6mg	0%
Iron 23.2mg	0%
Potassium 2273.6mg	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: 45.2%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 50.7%