Baked Easter Lamb Shaped Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist carrot cake baked in a lamb mold, finished with a tangy cream cheese frosting perfect for Easter celebrations. This american-inspired easter ready in about 70 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.4 (9 ratings) Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 8 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 3D lamb-shaped cake pan thoroughly with 2 tbsp butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt until evenly combined.
  3. Step 3: In another bowl, beat 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, and 3/4 cup vegetable oil until smooth. Add 3 large eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract.
  4. Step 4: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Then fold in 2 cups grated carrots and 1/2 cup chopped walnuts until evenly dispersed.
  5. Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared lamb mold, smoothing the top with a spatula, and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the thickest part comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes before unmolding onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  6. Step 6: To make the frosting, beat 8 oz cream cheese with 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar, then mix in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tbsp milk until smooth and spreadable.
  7. Step 7: Once the cake is fully cooled, carefully spread the cream cheese frosting all over the lamb-shaped cake, smoothing with a spatula. Decorate with additional chopped walnuts or small edible flowers if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Easter Lamb Shaped Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Easter Lamb Shaped Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Easter Lamb Shaped Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Easter Lamb Shaped Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Easter Lamb Shaped Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?

American easter like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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