Brighten your day with a slice of moist spiced carrot cake, a delightful simple cake recipe perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-follow guide ensures a tender crumb and a rich cream cheese frosting, making it an irresistible treat. You’ll love how straightforward it is to create this classic dessert.
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Carrots: Freshly grated carrots are best for flavor and moisture. You can use pre-shredded, but it might be a bit drier.
- All-Purpose Flour: A gluten-free baking blend can be used for a gluten-free simple cake recipe.
- Brown Sugar: You can use granulated sugar, but brown sugar adds more moisture and depth of flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is essential for the best frosting consistency.
- Spices: Adjust cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger to your taste.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
How Much Time Will You Need?
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
- Servings: 12 slices
- Calories per serving: Approximately 450 calories
- Tools Needed: 9×13 inch baking pan, mixing bowls, electric mixer, whisk.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, ensuring it’s ready for your simple cake recipe. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
2. Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Make sure there are no lumps to ensure even distribution in your simple cake. This step is crucial for proper leavening.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth. You are creating the liquid base for your moist simple cake. Ensure everything is well combined.
4. Mix Wet and Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make your cake tough. Gently fold in the grated carrots last, distributing them evenly throughout the simple cake batter.
5. Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow your simple cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
6. Prepare the Frosting
While the cake cools, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, mixing until smooth and light. This creates a fluffy frosting for your simple cake recipe.
7. Frost Your Cake
Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can use an offset spatula for a smooth finish. Your delicious simple cake is now ready to serve!
Variation Ideas:
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch.
- Include a handful of golden raisins for a touch of sweetness.
- Drizzle with a caramel sauce before serving for an indulgent treat.
- Add a splash of orange zest to the frosting for a bright flavor.
Storage Instructions:
Store your spiced carrot cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices for up to 2 months. Thaw frozen cake in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Can I make this simple cake recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the cake a day in advance and store it at room temperature, unfrosted. Frost on the day of serving.
Why is my carrot cake dry?
Overmixing the batter or baking for too long can lead to a dry cake. Ensure you measure ingredients accurately and don’t overbake.
Can I use canned carrots?
Freshly grated carrots are highly recommended for the best texture and flavor in this simple cake recipe. Canned carrots often contain too much moisture.
How do I prevent the frosting from being too soft?
Ensure your cream cheese and butter are softened, but not warm or melted. If your frosting is too soft, chill it in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before using.
Can I bake this in round cake pans?
Yes, you can divide the batter between two 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pans. Adjust baking time accordingly, usually around 30-35 minutes.
Do I need to sift the powdered sugar for the frosting?
Sifting powdered sugar helps prevent lumps, resulting in a smoother, more desirable frosting for your simple cake.