11 Moist Carrot Cakes
Classic Heritage Moist Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon baking powder
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- /2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- large eggs at room temperature
- cups finely grated fresh carrots
- teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them with butter and dusting them lightly with flour to prevent sticking.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon until the mixture is uniform in color and free of any large clumps.
In a separate larger bowl, combine the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and vegetable oil, whisking vigorously until the sugars begin to dissolve into the oil.
Add the eggs one at a time to the wet mixture, beating well after each addition to incorporate air and create a stable emulsion that will support the cake's structure.
Slowly fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to a tough and rubbery cake texture.
Once the batter is mostly smooth, stir in the finely grated carrots and vanilla extract until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Divide the batter equally between the two prepared cake pans, tapping them gently on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean with only a few moist crumbs attached.
Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before carefully inverting them onto wire racks to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
Golden Pineapple and Walnut Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon baking powder
- /2 teaspoon salt
- teaspoons ground cinnamon
- /2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- cups grated carrots
- can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple well drained
- cup chopped walnuts toasted
- teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Begin by preheating your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and lining the bottoms of two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and ginger to ensure a fine and even spice distribution.
Toast the chopped walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes until they are fragrant and slightly darkened, then set them aside to cool.
In a large stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the sugar and vegetable oil together on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Add the eggs to the oil mixture one by one, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next to maintain a smooth batter.
Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing only until no white streaks of flour remain visible.
Gently stir in the grated carrots, the well-drained crushed pineapple, toasted walnuts, and vanilla extract using a large spoon or spatula.
Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, checking the center with a skewer to ensure it is fully baked through.
Let the cakes rest in the pans for at least 15 minutes to allow the structure to set before transferring them to a cooling rack to reach room temperature.
Dark Muscovado and Pecan Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoon baking soda
- teaspoons baking powder
- /2 teaspoon salt
- tablespoon ground cinnamon
- /2 teaspoon ground cloves
- cups dark muscovado sugar
- 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- large eggs
- cups grated carrots
- cup toasted pecans chopped
- /2 cup golden raisins soaked in warm water
Directions
Set your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan thoroughly with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
Drain the golden raisins that have been soaking in warm water and pat them dry with a paper towel to prevent excess moisture from affecting the batter.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cloves together until the spices are evenly integrated.
In another bowl, break up any large clumps in the muscovado sugar and whisk it together with the vegetable oil until the mixture looks like wet sand.
Incorporate the eggs into the sugar and oil mixture one at a time, whisking vigorously until the batter becomes slightly lighter in color and smooth.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients in three stages, mixing gently after each addition to avoid over-working the gluten in the flour.
Add the grated carrots, toasted pecans, and plumped raisins, stirring them in by hand to ensure they are evenly spread throughout the thick batter.
Spread the batter into the prepared 9x13 pan and smooth the top with a spatula to ensure an even bake across the entire surface.
Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly pressed and a toothpick comes out clean, then cool completely in the pan.
Zesty Orange and Ginger Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoons baking soda
- /2 teaspoon salt
- teaspoons ground cinnamon
- teaspoon ground ginger
- tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- Zest of two large oranges
- /4 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- cups finely grated carrots
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper circles at the bottom.
In a medium-sized bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground ginger together to ensure there are no lumps.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs, whisking until the mixture is thick and well combined.
Add the fresh orange zest, fresh orange juice, and the finely grated fresh ginger to the wet ingredients, stirring well to distribute the aromatics.
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a large metal spoon, being careful to maintain the airiness of the batter.
Gently stir in the grated carrots until they are fully coated by the batter and no large clumps of carrots remain.
Distribute the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and smooth the tops with an offset spatula for a level finish.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through the baking time to ensure even browning and rising.
Let the cakes cool in their pans for 15 minutes before turning them out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely before you apply the frosting.
Buttermilk and Honey Moist Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- /2 teaspoon salt
- teaspoon cinnamon
- /4 cup granulated sugar
- /2 cup honey
- /2 cup buttermilk
- /4 cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cups grated carrots
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 10-cup capacity bundt pan or a standard 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together until they are thoroughly blended and aerated.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar together until they become pale and slightly frothy, which indicates that air has been incorporated.
Slowly stream in the vegetable oil, honey, and buttermilk while continuing to whisk to create a stable, liquid base for the cake.
Whisk in the vanilla extract, then carefully fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula until just combined.
Fold in the grated carrots, ensuring they are evenly distributed so that every slice of the cake contains a consistent amount of vegetable.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, ensuring it fills the corners and is level on top to prevent uneven baking.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes for a bundt pan, or 35 to 40 minutes for a rectangular pan, until the cake feels firm to the touch in the center.
Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan if using a rectangular pan, or for 20 minutes before inverting a bundt cake onto a serving plate.
Maple Syrup and Toasted Pecan Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- /2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- /2 cup granulated sugar
- /4 cup pure maple syrup
- cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- 1/2 cups grated carrots
- cup toasted pecans finely chopped
Directions
Heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease two 9-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to ensure the spices are evenly distributed through the flour.
In a different bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and pure maple syrup until the mixture is uniform and the sugar has mostly dissolved.
Gradually pour in the vegetable oil while whisking constantly to create a smooth and glossy liquid mixture.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two batches, folding gently with a spatula to avoid over-mixing and keep the cake tender.
Stir in the grated carrots and the toasted chopped pecans until they are evenly dispersed throughout the thick, maple-scented batter.
Divide the batter equally between the two prepared pans, using a kitchen scale if necessary to ensure both layers are the same thickness.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cakes have risen and a tester comes out clean from the thickest part of the cake.
Cool the cakes in their pans for at least 15 minutes before moving them to wire racks, as the maple syrup makes the warm cake quite fragile.
Spiced Apple and Carrot Harvest Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoons cinnamon
- /4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- /4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 1/2 cups grated tart apples (like Granny Smith)
- /2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a standard 9x13 inch baking pan with butter or oil.
Peel and grate both the carrots and the apples, then place them together in a bowl, tossing them lightly to mix.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until well blended.
In a separate large bowl, combine the light brown sugar and vegetable oil, whisking until the mixture is smooth and no large sugar lumps remain.
Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to ensure the batter is well-emulsized and aerated.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring gently with a wooden spoon or spatula until the flour is just incorporated.
Fold in the grated carrots, grated apples, and chopped walnuts, making sure to distribute the fruit and vegetables evenly through the batter.
Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13 pan and level the surface with a spatula to ensure it bakes evenly across the pan.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges start to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan, then cool completely before serving.
Coconut and Macadamia Tropical Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cups vegetable oil
- large eggs
- cups grated carrots
- cup sweetened shredded coconut
- cup chopped macadamia nuts
- teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by greasing them and lining the bottoms with parchment.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until the mixture is uniform.
In a separate bowl, whisk the sugar and oil together, then add the eggs one by one, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth base.
Stir in the vanilla extract, then gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a rubber spatula until just combined.
Fold in the grated carrots, shredded coconut, and chopped macadamia nuts, ensuring all the additions are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
Divide the batter between the two pans and tap them on the counter to remove any air pockets that could cause holes in the finished cake.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are a deep golden brown.
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Wait until the cake is entirely cold before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting into the porous coconut crumb.
Brown Butter and Cardamom Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cup unsalted butter
- cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- /2 teaspoon salt
- teaspoon ground cardamom
- /2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- cup granulated sugar
- /2 cup light brown sugar
- large eggs
- teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
Directions
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and continue cooking it, swirling frequently, until it turns a deep golden brown and smells nutty.
Immediately pour the browned butter into a heat-proof bowl, making sure to scrape in all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan, and let it cool for 15 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an 8-inch square baking pan or a round cake pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, cardamom, and cinnamon together until the spices are well-dispersed.
In a large bowl, whisk the cooled brown butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened.
Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, whisking well after each addition to ensure the batter is smooth and well-incorporated.
Stir in the vanilla extract, then fold in the dry ingredients using a spatula until no more dry flour is visible in the bowl.
Gently fold in the finely grated carrots, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the rich, brown butter batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the cake is set in the center and a toothpick comes out clean.
Espresso-Infused Mocha Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- cups all-purpose flour
- teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- /4 cup strong brewed espresso cooled
- 1/2 cups grated carrots
- /2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease two 8-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper for easy release.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon until the mixture is uniform and free of clumps.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar together until they are light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes of vigorous whisking.
Slowly pour in the vegetable oil and the cooled espresso, whisking constantly to ensure the liquids are fully emulsified with the egg mixture.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a large rubber spatula, being careful not to over-mix and deflate the aerated eggs.
Gently stir in the grated carrots and the mini chocolate chips if you are using them, ensuring they are evenly spread throughout the dark batter.
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spoon to ensure an even rise during the baking process.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cake surface feels springy to the touch and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool the cakes in their pans for 15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely before you begin the frosting process.
Old World Raisin and Spice Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- teaspoon salt
- teaspoons ground cinnamon
- /2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- /2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- cup vegetable oil
- large eggs
- cups grated carrots
- cup raisins soaked in warm water
- /2 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 10-inch tube pan or bundt pan thoroughly to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
Drain the raisins that have been soaking and pat them dry so that they don't add unwanted liquid to the batter.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice until the spices are thoroughly integrated into the flour.
In a separate bowl, whisk the light brown sugar and vegetable oil together until smooth, then add the eggs one by one, beating well after each addition.
Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, using a spatula to ensure the batter remains thick and uniform without any large pockets of flour.
Stir in the grated carrots, the plumped raisins, and the chopped walnuts until they are evenly distributed through the spiced batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared tube pan, smoothing the top and tapping the pan on the counter to settle the contents.
Bake for 55 to 65 minutes, or until a long skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the top is dark golden brown.
.png)