Easy Carrot Cake Recipe with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting.
Carrot cake is probably one of our all-time favorite cakes. Maybe the idea of a cake that contains a high amount of vegetables gives the impression of a healthy snack rather than a dessert.
As you can see from the nutritional information, the carrots don’t do a lot to offset the sugar and butter. But they do result in a moist and flavorful bite!
This version of carrot cake uses whole wheat flour, which adds a little extra texture.
We also use a pinch of orange zest in the frosting, which in our opinion elevates the cream cheese from absolutely delicious to spectacular.
Of course, regardless of how delicious the cake itself is, our favorite part is the healthy dose of cream cheese frosting.
Not too sweet, the frosting balances nicely with the spices and carrot flavor of the cake.
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We add chopped walnuts to the batter for some extra texture and flavor. If you have nut allergies, you can omit this ingredient.
You can find an Instant Pot Version of this cake recipe on our sister site: Steamy Cooker
Here are some additional dessert recipes you might enjoy!
Note: For this recipe we used a 7 X 2 inch (17.78 cm X 5 cm) round cake pan.
Easy Carrot Cake
Incredibly moist easy carrot cake made with whole wheat flour and walnuts in a creamy cheese frosting spiked with orange zest.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (128g) whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon (5g) ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25g) salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoons (4.9ml) vanilla
- 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream or Mexican crema
- 1/2 cup (64g) white sugar
- 1/4 cup (32g) brown sugar
- 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable or coconut oil or softened butter
- 1 tablespoon orange juice
- 1 1/4 cups (150g) grated carrots (about 3 medium)
- 1/2 cup (64g) chopped walnuts
Instructions
Add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and
salt to a large bowl and combine.
In another bowl, whisk the eggs, then add the sour cream (or
Mexican crema), brown and white sugar, orange juice and vanilla.
Add in the flour mixture a little at a time. Once the mixture is
combined, add in the carrots and nuts.
If you are using a non-stick pan, grease the sides with butter or
coconut oil. Cooking spray can be used on pans that are not made with
a non-stick coating (otherwise the cooking spray can form a gummy
layer over time that will eventually ruin the pan).
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (177 celsius).
Bake uncovered for 30 and check for doneness with a toothpick.
Continue to cook until the toothpick comes out clean.
Removed and cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing the
cake from the pan. Allow the cake to cool on a cake rack for about 20
minutes. The cake may now be removed from the pan. If using a regular
pan run a knife around the edge of the pan to make sure no cake is
stuck to the edge.
Directions for the frosting follows. Make sure the cake is
completely cool before frosting.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 162Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 73mgSodium 72mgCarbohydrates 21gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 5g
Nutritional information is an estimate only
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Butter (50 g) (softened)
- 2/3 cup (150g) Block Cream Cheese (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml)vanilla
- 1/8 teaspoon (.5g) salt
- 1 cup (200g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon (.1g) orange zest
Instructions
1. Make sure that the butter and cream cheese have been warmed to room temperature.
2. Add the vanilla, salt and orange zest to the butter and cream cheese in a deep bowl.
3. Blend together using an electric egg beater or whisk.
4. Once the mixture is completely combined, add in the powdered sugar and blend.
The frosting is ready to use!
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 82Total Fat 9gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 24mgSodium 71mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 1gProtein 0g
Nutritional information is an estimate only