Indulge in a slice of pure delight with this classic Carrot Walnut Cake Delight! This isn’t just any cake; it’s a beautifully moist, perfectly spiced, and utterly irresistible dessert, studded with grated carrots and crunchy walnuts, and crowned with a luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s a timeless favorite that’s perfect for celebrations, holidays, or simply satisfying your sweet tooth any day of the week.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Carrot Walnut Cake is an absolute joy to bake and to eat, and it holds a special place in my dessert repertoire. What I love most is the incredible moisture and tender crumb that comes from the vegetable oil and the perfect balance of both granulated and brown sugars. The warming spices like cinnamon complement the natural sweetness of the grated carrots beautifully, while the chopped walnuts add a delightful textural crunch. But let’s be honest, the tangy, rich cream cheese frosting is the star that brings it all together, creating a harmonious balance that makes every bite pure heaven. It’s a cake that always impresses and leaves everyone asking for the recipe!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create this moist and flavorful Carrot Walnut Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Swaps and Notes
- Carrots: Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and flavor. Avoid pre-shredded carrots, which can be dry.
- Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add a fantastic crunch. Pecans can be substituted, or you can omit them for a nut-free cake. You can also lightly toast them for enhanced flavor.
- Oil: Vegetable oil (or canola oil) is traditional for carrot cake as it helps create a very moist texture.
- Sugars: The combination of granulated and brown sugar provides depth and moistness.
- Spices: Cinnamon is essential. You can add a pinch of nutmeg, allspice, or ginger for a more complex spice profile.
- Cream Cheese & Butter (Frosting): Ensure both are thoroughly softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free frosting. Unsalted butter is recommended to control salt levels.
- Powdered Sugar: Sift your powdered sugar before mixing to prevent lumps in the frosting.
- Optional Add-ins for Cake: Consider adding 1/2 cup of shredded unsweetened coconut or raisins to the cake batter with the carrots and walnuts for extra flavor and texture.
Instructions
Let’s get this delicious Carrot Walnut Cake baking and frosted!
- Preheat Oven & Prep Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. You can also line the bottoms with parchment paper for easier removal.
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the 1 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup packed brown sugar. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer until well combined. Add the 4 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Combine & Fold: Gradually add the dry ingredients mixture from step 2 to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or by hand until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the 2 cups grated carrots and 1 cup chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared 9-inch round cake pans. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean.
- Cool Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in their pans on wire racks for 10-15 minutes. Then, carefully invert them onto the wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the 4 cups powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low speed until incorporated, then increasing to medium speed and beating until light and fluffy. Beat in the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Assemble & Frost: Once the cake layers are completely cool, place one cake layer on your serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top of this first layer. Carefully place the second cake layer on top. Frost the entire cake – the top and sides – with the remaining cream cheese frosting, using an offset spatula for a smooth finish.
- Decorate & Serve: If desired, decorate the top or sides with extra chopped walnuts. Slice and serve immediately.
Tips for Success
- Room Temperature Ingredients (Frosting): Ensure cream cheese and butter are thoroughly softened for a smooth, lump-free frosting.
- Don’t Overmix Batter: Mix the cake batter just until combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
- Grate Carrots Finely: Finely grated carrots blend seamlessly into the cake and contribute to its moistness.
- Cool Cakes Completely: Frosting a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt and slide off. Ensure layers are fully cooled.
- Sift Powdered Sugar: Sifting powdered sugar for the frosting helps prevent lumps and ensures a super smooth consistency.
- Adjust Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk (1 tsp at a time). If too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This Carrot Walnut Cake is a complete and satisfying dessert on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:
- Coffee or Tea: A perfect accompaniment for an afternoon treat.
- Glass of Milk: A classic pairing for a sweet slice of cake.
- Fresh Berries: A side of fresh raspberries or blueberries can add a lovely tart contrast.
- Celebrations: Ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any special occasion.
- For other delightful baked goods and sweet treats, consider our This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas or These Easy Pumpkin Spice Muffins Are My Favorite Fall Treat To Bake On Repeat.
Storage and Leftover Tips
This cake stays wonderfully moist and flavorful for several days!
- Refrigeration: Due to the cream cheese frosting, store the cake, covered loosely or in an airtight cake carrier, in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days.
- Bringing to Room Temp: For best flavor and texture, remove the cake from the refrigerator about 30-60 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to soften slightly.
- Freezing: Carrot cake freezes exceptionally well, both frosted and unfrosted layers.
- Frosted: Freeze entire cake or slices uncovered until frosting is firm, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Unfrosted Layers: Wrap individual cooled cake layers tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the moist, comforting, and sweet nature of this cake, you’ll definitely want to explore some of our other fantastic, fuss-free recipes that bring joy to your kitchen:
- For another beloved quick bread that uses fruit, try our This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Is My Favorite Way To Use Up Overripe Bananas.
- If you’re a fan of big, comforting desserts that feed a crowd, our This Big Family Banana Pudding Is My Favorite Classic Dessert To Feed A Crowd is a must-try.
- For amazing brownie recipes, check out The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made (And I’ve Made A Lot)or These Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownie Bombs Are My Favorite Sweet Obsession.
Final Thoughts
This Carrot Walnut Cake Delight recipe is a true testament to the timeless appeal of a well-made carrot cake. It’s moist, perfectly spiced, and features that irresistible cream cheese frosting that makes it a standout dessert for any occasion.
Give this recipe a try and share the joy of this delightful cake with your loved ones! What’s your favorite classic cake to bake? Share your ideas and feedback in the comments below! And for more amazing, easy-to-follow recipes that bring joy to your kitchen, be sure to visit Chefmaniac.com. Happy baking!
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