Carrot Cake Recipes | Two Classic Cakes + Cream Cheese Icing
These carrot cake recipes come from classic community cookbook traditions—simple, reliable, and full of old-fashioned flavor. Choose the easy pan cake or the loaf-pan version, then finish with a traditional cream cheese icing.
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Recipes on this page
Use the links below to jump directly to each Carrot Cake Recipe.
Easy Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 pound walnuts, chopped
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Instructions
- Cream eggs and sugar until smooth. Add carrots and oil; mix well.
- Sift dry ingredients together; add to wet mixture and blend.
- Stir in chopped walnuts.
- Pour into a greased baking pan and bake until golden and a toothpick tests done.
- Total cook time: bake until golden and set
- Equipment: baking pan
- Servings: 8–10
Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup oil
- 2 cups flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1/2 cup walnuts (optional)
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Instructions
- Mix sugar and eggs until well blended. Add oil and blend.
- Sift flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; add to egg mixture and blend well.
- Stir in grated carrots (and walnuts if using).
- Bake in a greased loaf pan for 40–45 minutes. Cool before icing or slicing.
- Total cook time: 40–45 minutes
- Equipment: loaf pan
- Servings: 18
Icing for Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- 1 stick margarine (oleo), 1/2 cup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 lb confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Blend cream cheese and margarine until smooth.
- Add vanilla.
- Gradually add confectioners’ sugar and beat until fluffy.
Carrot Cake FAQ
Should I peel carrots before grating for carrot cake?
Peeling is recommended for a smoother texture, but it’s optional if the carrots are clean and tender.
Can I leave out the walnuts?
Yes. Walnuts are optional and can be omitted or replaced with pecans or raisins.
How do I know when carrot cake is done?
The cake is done when the top is golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Does cream cheese icing need refrigeration?
For best freshness, refrigerate cream cheese icing and iced cake if it will sit out longer than about 2 hours.