My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe

4.9

(285)

sallysbakingaddiction.com
Your recipes

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Servings: 10

My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe

Ingredients

Remove All · Remove Spices · Remove Staples

Export 16 ingredients for grocery delivery

Instructions

Helping creators monetize
Show ad-free recipes at the top of any site

Step 1

Preheat oven to 300°F (149°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Spread the chopped pecans on the sheet and toast for 7-8 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.

Step 2

Turn the oven up to 350°F (177°C). Grease two or three 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.

Step 3

Whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, applesauce, and vanilla together in a large bowl until combined and no brown sugar lumps remain. In another large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves together. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, fold the ingredients together until just combined. Fold in the carrots and 1 cup of the toasted pecans. (The rest of the pecans are for garnish.)

Step 4

Pour/spoon the batter evenly into the cake pans. If using three cake pans, bake for 20-24 minutes. If using two cake pans, bake for 30-35 minutes. Test the center with a toothpick. If it comes out clean, the cakes are done. If not, continue to bake until cooked through. Do not over-bake. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set on a wire rack. The cakes must be completely cool before frosting and assembling.

Step 5

In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and butter together on medium-high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, cream/milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes until completely combined and creamy. Add more confectioners’ sugar if frosting is too thin, more milk if frosting is too thick, or an extra pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. Frosting should be soft, but not runny.

Step 6

First, using a large serrated knife or cake leveler, layer off the tops of the cakes to create a flat surface. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer, more frosting, and then top with the 3rd layer. Spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. Decorate the sides and top of the cake with the remaining toasted pecans. Refrigerate cake for at least 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.

Step 7

Cover leftover frosted cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Top similar recipes

My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe-image
trending173 views

My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe

sallysbakingaddiction.com

4.8

(459)

30 minutes

Favorite Carrot Cake-image
trending410 views

Favorite Carrot Cake

cookieandkate.com

4.6

(70)

50 minutes

20 Irresistable Vegan Cake Recipes: My Favorite Vegan Carrot Cake-image
trending182 views

20 Irresistable Vegan Cake Recipes:...

thefullhelping.com

3.8

(4)

60 minutes

Favorite Carrot Cake Bars-image
trending96 views

Favorite Carrot Cake Bars

yummytoddlerfood.com

5.0

(43)

22 minutes

My Favorite Fondue Recipe-image
trending401 views

My Favorite Fondue Recipe

melskitchencafe.com

4.6

(236)

15 minutes

My Favorite Cornbread Recipe-image
trending584 views

My Favorite Cornbread Recipe

sallysbakingaddiction.com

4.9

(162)

20 minutes

My Favorite Guacamole Recipe-image
trending121 views

My Favorite Guacamole Recipe

shelikesfood.com

my favorite brownies-image
trending692 views

my favorite brownies

smittenkitchen.com

My Favorite Challah-image
trending756 views

My Favorite Challah

cooking.nytimes.com

5.0

(2.1k)

My Favorite Meatloaf-image
trending387 views

My Favorite Meatloaf

thepioneerwoman.com

4.8

(4)

45 minutes

My Favorite Cookie-image
trending304 views

My Favorite Cookie

allrecipes.com

4.5

(4)

My Favorite Brisket-image
trending224 views

My Favorite Brisket

justapinch.com

5.0

(1)

My Favorite Challah-image
trending270 views

My Favorite Challah

cooking.nytimes.com

5.0

(492)

My Favorite Pie Crust Recipe-image
trending181 views

My Favorite Pie Crust Recipe

onceuponachef.com

5.0

(19)

My Favorite White Bread Recipe-image
trending952 views

My Favorite White Bread Recipe

browneyedbaker.com

4.4

(971)

30 minutes

My Favorite Gingerbread Men Recipe-image
trending637 views

My Favorite Gingerbread Men Recipe

sallysbakingaddiction.com

4.9

(75)

10 minutes

My Favorite Pecan Pie Recipe-image
trending508 views

My Favorite Pecan Pie Recipe

sallysbakingaddiction.com

4.6

(35)

50 minutes

My Favorite Falafel recipe | Epicurious.com-image
trending2884 views

My Favorite Falafel recipe | Epicur...

epicurious.com

My Favorite Cinnamon Rolls Recipe-image
trending352 views

My Favorite Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

foodiecrush.com

4.5

(37)

25 minutes