Orange-Zested Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist carrot cake infused with bright orange zest and a sweet cinnamon glaze, inspired by Dr. Seuss's whimsical spirit. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 70 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 280 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 50 min Serves 12 American cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. In a large bowl, beat vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in grated carrots, chopped walnuts, and orange zest.
  4. Step 4: Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Step 5: While cake bakes, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth. Once cake cools for 10 minutes, drizzle glaze over top and let set for 30 minutes before slicing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Orange-Zested Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 Orange-Zested Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?

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 Orange-Zested Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?

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 Orange-Zested Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Glaze 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 Orange-Zested Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Glaze?

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.

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