King Arthur Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist carrot cake enriched with warm spices and chopped walnuts, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting for a perfect classic dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 65 minutes layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 12, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup, packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 8 oz, softened cream cheese
- 1/2 cup, softened unsalted butter
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup vegetable oil with 1 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar until combined. Add 3 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 3: Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Fold in 3 cups grated carrots and 1 cup chopped walnuts.
- Step 4: Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
- Step 5: Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- Step 6: For frosting, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until smooth. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 tbsp lemon juice, beating until fluffy.
- Step 7: Spread frosting evenly between layers and over the top and sides of the cooled cake.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does King Arthur Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover King Arthur Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in King Arthur 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 King Arthur Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). 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 King Arthur Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting?
American desserts 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.
