Easy Carrot Cake Recipe โ€“ A Simple & Delicious Classic Youโ€™ll Crave Again

Easy Carrot Cake Recipe

Baking doesnโ€™t have toโ€‚be hard โ€” not when it comes to an easy carrot cake recipe that gets all the flavor of grandmaโ€™s kitchen with a fraction of the work. Youโ€™ll never be wondering how to make carrot cake again (or searching for the best carrot cake recipe) after you try this no-fail recipe.True say, however way to your heart is going to be through the moist and perfect slice of carrot cake that youโ€™ll make after reading the guideโ€‚below.

Get the recipe for our moist and traditional one here ifโ€‚you are a fan of richer spiced layers.

Why This Simple Carrotโ€‚Cake Recipe Is the Best

No Mixer Required, Noโ€‚Fuss โ€“ Just Good for You Ingredients

Forget the fancy gear. Only twoโ€‚bowls and a whisk. We rely on pantry staplesโ€‚โ€” nothing exotic or expensive.

Not Too Dry, Not Tooโ€‚Spicy

This recipe gets all threeโ€‚right: juicy carrots, warm spices and a light crumb. Optional pineapple and applesauce โ€” those are alwaysโ€‚going to be your friends.

Ingredients That Makeโ€‚It Easy (and Impressive)

Core Ingredients List

  • Grated carrots
  • Brown sugar for depth
  • Vegetable oil, or melted coconutโ€‚oil
  • Cinnamon, nutmegโ€‚and ginger for heat

Healthy Swaps and Add-Ins

Need a healthierโ€‚carrot cake recipe? Try:

  • 50% applesauceโ€‚to replace oil.
  • Whole wheat flourโ€‚for all-purpose flour
  • Unrefined sugar substitutes like mapleโ€‚syrup or coconut sugar

Quick and Easy Carrotโ€‚Cake Recipe Instructions:

Prepping the Ingredients

Grate your own carrots (do not useโ€‚store-bought pre-shredded), and get all your ingredients measured out before mixing.

Mixing & Baking

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fโ€‚(175 degrees C). Grease a loaf pan or 9-inchโ€‚round pan.
  2. Combine dry ingredientsโ€‚for one bowl.
  3. In another, beatโ€‚together sugar, eggs, oil and vanilla.
  4. Fold in the grated carrots and nuts or raisins, if youโ€™reโ€‚using them.
  5. Combine dry and wet gently.
  6. Bake for 35โ€“40 minutes. Cool completely.

If youโ€™d like to sex it up a bit, try thisโ€‚classic with cream cheese frosting.

For Any Diet, These Are theโ€‚Frosting Options

Classic Cream Cheese Frosting

Use:

  • 1 Cream Cheeseโ€‚(Softened)
  • ยฝ cup butter
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1ยฝโ€“2 cups powdered sugar

Dairy-Free or Low Sugar Frosting Ideas

  • Whipped coconut cream with honey
  • Greek yogurt sweetened with maple syrup

Traditional Carrot Cake vs Easy Version

What Makes This Version โ€œEasyโ€?

  • One bowl prep
  • No electric tools
  • Simple ingredients

Still Traditional at Heart

Even simplified, it includes cinnamon, carrots, and that rich, golden color. Itโ€™s grandma-approved without the extra steps.

How to Make Healthier Easy Carrot Cake Recipe: Tips

Sugar and fat reduction without taste loss

  • brown sugar, applesauce
  • mashed bananas or Greek yogurt

Fiber and nutrients boost

  • chia seeds, flaxmeal, shredded zucchini
  • oat flour in place of 1/3 flour

Check out our blog archive for other healthier dessert ideas such as our Raspberry Cinnamon Rolls.

What notโ€‚to do when baking carrot cake

Overmixing the Batter

Too much flour developed will makeโ€‚the dough tough. Fold gently.

When You Aren't Sure of a Carrot'sโ€‚Size

Too little and itโ€™s dry. Too much and it wonโ€™t rise. Use 2 cups loosely packed.

Omitting Oil orโ€‚Replacing With Butter

Butter adds richness butโ€‚dries it out. Even so, stick to oil or a pureeโ€‚of fruit.

Easy Carrot Cake โ€“ Tips andโ€‚Tricks: How to store and serve Easy Carrot Cake

Storage Best Practices

  • Room Temp: 2โ€“3 days in airtight container
  • Fridge: Up to 5 days
  • Freezer: Slice and freeze individually for 1 month

Reheating for Moistness

Wrap in foil and heat at 300ยฐF for 8 mins OR microwave with a damp paper towel.


Serving Suggestions and Pairings

Best Ways to Serve

  • Serve with hot tea orโ€‚dark roast coffee
  • Cool butโ€‚not cold or at room temperature

Garnishing Ideas

Serve and garnish with a dusting of crushed walnuts, sprinkleโ€‚of cinnamon or curls from orange zest.

Looking for inspiration? Check out the super-moistโ€‚carrot cake below, its filled with just the right amount of spice.

FAQs

What makes carrot cake easy?

Minimal steps, no mixerโ€‚required, and pantry staples.

Is there any way to make thisโ€‚carrot cake healthier?

Yes โ€”โ€‚use applesauce, coconut sugar and whole wheat flour.

What is the bestโ€‚flour for carrot cake?

Reach forโ€‚all-purpose, or white whole wheat. Avoid almond flour alone.

Canโ€‚I omit eggs in this recipe?

Yes โ€” 1 tbsp Flax + 3 tbspโ€‚water per egg.

Wouldโ€‚carrot cake be better warm or cold?

It likes room temp, too, but the rest of the worldโ€‚is delicious all the same.

How long doesโ€‚easy carrot cake keep?

Refrigerateโ€‚for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.

Conclusion

Simple doesnโ€™t mean boring, and this easy carrot cake is livingโ€‚proof. It is the sort of cake you willโ€‚turn to, very gladly, again and again.โ€ Plain, frosted, healthy, indulgent โ€” you can neverโ€‚go wrong with donuts.

Find delicious recipes such as Garlic Butter Chicken for a tastyโ€‚dish to pair with this yummy treat.

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Easy Carrot Cake Recipe

Easy Carrot Cake Recipe: Moist, Simple & No Mixer Needed


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  • Author: abdo
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A moist, warmly spiced carrot cake that requires no mixer and uses simple pantry staples. Perfect for a quick dessert fix or a delightful treat for any occasion.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 cups grated carrots (about 5-6 medium carrots)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (replace part of the oil)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Grease a 9-inch round or loaf pan.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
  3. In another bowl, beat together brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined.
  4. Fold in grated carrots, and if using, applesauce, nuts, and raisins.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for 35โ€“40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  9. Optional: Frost with cream cheese frosting once cooled.

Notes

For a healthier version, substitute half the oil with unsweetened applesauce and use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour. Store the cake at room temperature for 2โ€“3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze slices for up to 1 month. Serve at room temperature for best flavor. Garnish with crushed walnuts, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or orange zest curls.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 24g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 55mg

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