Carrot Spice Cake
Indulge in the cozy flavors of this moist and tender Carrot Spice Cake, a delightful dessert that perfectly balances warming spices and natural sweetness. Featuring freshly grated carrots, aromatic cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves, this homemade cake is both flavorful and fragrant. A touch of applesauce adds extra moisture, while optional mix-ins like chopped walnuts and raisins provide texture and complexity. Finished with a luscious cream cheese frosting, it's the ultimate treat for special occasions or everyday cravings. Easy to follow and ready in under an hour, this 12-serving recipe is perfect for gatherings or meal prep. Serve it as a show-stopping centerpiece or a comforting treat with your afternoon coffee—either way, this Carrot Spice Cake is sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.75 cup vegetable oil
- 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 0.5 cup raisins (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and applesauce. Mix until well combined.
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the wet mixture and whisk until smooth.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, mixing gently after each addition until just combined.
Fold in the grated carrots, and if using, the chopped nuts and raisins, until evenly distributed in the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan(s) and spread evenly.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove the cake(s) from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost and decorate with cream cheese frosting, and garnish with extra chopped nuts if desired before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4443 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 214.5 g | 275% | |
| Saturated Fat | 31.7 g | 158% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 100.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 558 mg | 186% | |
| Sodium | 3860 mg | 168% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 608.2 g | 221% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.6 g | 102% | |
| Total Sugars | 379.1 g | ||
| Protein | 60.7 g | 121% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.1 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 448 mg | 34% | |
| Iron | 21.8 mg | 121% | |
| Potassium | 2396 mg | 51% | |
*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.
