Homemade Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Name: Homemade Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil; 4 large eggs; 3 cups grated fresh carrots; 1 cup chopped pecans; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1/2 cup softened butter; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This classic carrot cake is moist and full of warm spices topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting and crunchy candied pecans.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 18, 2026

Homemade Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

dailyrecipesbook.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

1 hour

Serves

There is nothing quite like a slice of homemade carrot cake to brighten up your day. It is a favorite in my house because it stays so soft and flavorful for days, making it the perfect treat for any occasion or just a quiet afternoon snack.

The secret to a great carrot cake is using fresh carrots that you grate yourself. Pre shredded carrots from the store are often too dry and do not give the cake that wonderful moist texture we all love.

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
4 large eggs
3 cups grated fresh carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3
Add the vegetable oil and eggs to the dry mixture, stirring until everything is well combined.
4
Fold in the grated carrots and half of the chopped pecans.
5
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6
Let the cake cool completely before you start the frosting.
7
To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla.
8
Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and sprinkle the remaining pecans on top.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. You can toast your pecans in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the cake to bring out an even deeper nutty flavor.

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