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    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Best Carrot Cake Recipe

    Published: Aug 18, 2021 · Modified: Nov 5, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley

    655 shares
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    5 from 87 votes
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    Pinterest images for carrot cake

    For years I stayed away from Carrot Cake, thinking there was no way a cake made with a vegetable would be something I’d enjoy eating. Boy was I wrong!

    slice of carrot cake on a white plate with a fork

    It was on a bus ride home from high school one afternoon when a classmate got me to try a piece of a cake she had made in her home ec class. I really didn’t want to try it, but I also didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

    After one bite, I was in love…sigh. Not with the cute girl on the bus ride home, but with the Carrot Cake she had gotten me to try.

    side view of whole cake sliced

    It was love at first bite.

    Later in life one of the desserts, I learned to make during my time with Mama Jeanette was this amazingly delicious carrot cake. It was even better than I remembered and has been my go-to recipe for this delicious dessert.

    Table of Contents:

    • Ingredients for cake
    • Chef Dennis Tip*
    • Do I have to use pecans in the cake?
    • How to make a carrot cake
    • How to make cream cheese frosting
    • How to assemble the Carrot Cake
    • More Cake Recipes You’ll Love!
    • Mama Jeanette’s Carrot Cake
      • Ingredients
        • Carrot Cake
        • Cream Cheese Frosting:
        • Assembly
      • Instructions
        • Carrot Cake
        • Cream Cheese Frosting
        • Assembly
      • Video
      • Nutrition

    Ingredients for cake

    Ingredients to make recipe

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Mama Jeanette’s Restaurant Style Carrot Cake. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Chef Dennis Tip*

    Use fresh carrots and grate them at home. Don’t buy pre-shredded carrots; they’re dry and disgusting.

    Do I have to use pecans in the cake?

    No, you don’t. You can use walnuts or leave the nuts out altogether if you have nut allergies.

    Chef's Choice
    USA Bakeware 9 inch Nonstick Round Cake Pan
    USA Bakeware 9 inch Nonstick Round Cake Pan
    $21.97

    A good cake pan makes all the difference in making your favorite layer cakes. These are the pans I use in my home kitchen.

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    09/24/2023 09:18 pm GMT
    Chef's Choice
    9 Inch Parchment Baking Circles - Set of 100
    9 Inch Parchment Baking Circles - Set of 100
    $6.89

    These parchment baking circles make removing cakes from the pan quick and easy.

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    This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    09/24/2023 10:28 pm GMT
    Chef's Choice
    11-inch Heat Resistant Silicone Spatulas (4-piece)
    11-inch Heat Resistant Silicone Spatulas (4-piece)
    $14.99

    These are the spatulas I use in my kitchen. They are durable, heat resistant and easy to keep clean.

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    This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
    09/24/2023 09:08 pm GMT
    Chef's Choice
    Fat Daddio's 8 Inch Offset Spatula
    Fat Daddio's 8 Inch Offset Spatula
    $14.54

    This offset spatula is essential for baking and frosting cakes.

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    09/24/2023 09:28 pm GMT

    How to make a carrot cake

    Start by getting the cake pans ready and preheating the oven. Once those two steps have been completed, you can start making the carrot cake.

    collage showing first steps in make cake
    • Add the applesauce, sugar and eggs to a mixing bowl.
    • Mix well and set the applesauce mixture aside until needed.
    • Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon to a mixing bowl.
    • Combine all the ingredients thoroughly for the flour mixture.
    collage showing the next steps in make batter
    • Add the carrots, coconut, pecans, pineapple (with juice) and vanilla to a bowl
    • Mix well the ingredients together until well blended
    • Add the flour mixture to the applesauce mixture.
    • Mix the flour in just enough to combine the ingredients.
    collage showing the final steps in making batter and baking
    • Add the carrot mixture to the mixing bowl
    • Combine the carrot mixture just enough to blend into the flour mixture.
    • Get the prepared pan (greased, floured with a greased parchment circle )
    • Divide the batter into the three prepared pans.

    *Make sure to use parchment paper in the bottom of the cake pans!

    overhead view of carrot cake layers cooling on wire rack

    Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes on the center rack of the preheated oven or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

    *Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

    How to make cream cheese frosting

    collage of steps to make cream cheese frosting
    • Add the butter and cream cheese to a large mixing bowl.
    • Beat until creamy and light.
    • Add the vanilla and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture.
    • Whip until well blended and creamy.

    How to assemble the Carrot Cake

    collage showing how to frost the carrot cake
    • If necessary trim the top of each layer, so they are flat
    • Add frosting to the first layer, spreading it evenly with the spatula
    • Repeat this process with the remaining layers.
    • frost the outside of the cake with an icing spatula, doing your best to keep it even. Some cake can show through.
    • Frost the top of the cake
    finished carrot cake on pedestal

    If you want to take the carrot cake to the next level add a ring of frosting along the outside edge of cake. Then garnish the top with pecans and coconut.

    This is entirely optional.

    overhead partial view of whole carrot cake

    If you’d rather not add more frosting to the top, you can simply add a ring of pecan halves on the outside of the cake. I added toasted coconut and pecans to the top of this cake.

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    slice of carrot cake on a plate with a fork with an other slice and the remainder of the whole cake on a pedestal in the background
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 87 votes

    Mama Jeanette’s Carrot Cake

    If you've ever wanted to make a Carrot Cake for your friends & family, my Restaurant-Style Carrot Cake Recipe is what you're looking for! My restaurant-style carrot cake is sure to please!
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    refrigerate1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 774kcal
    Author: Mama Jeanette

    Ingredients

    Carrot Cake

    • 1 ¼ cups applesauce unsweetened
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 3 large eggs room temperature
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 cups grated carrots
    • 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
    • 1 cup pecans chopped
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice in juice not syrup

    Cream Cheese Frosting:

    • 1 cup butter softened
    • 16 oz cream cheese softened blocks -Don't use whipped cream cheese
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 1 lb powdered sugar

    Assembly

    • toasted pecans and coconut for topping
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Carrot Cake

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Butter and flour three 9-inch cake pans.
      *Make sure to use parchement in the bottom of your cake pans. This is a very moist cake and it will make it easier to remove from the pans.
    • Add the applesauce, sugar and eggs to a mixing bowl. Mix well and set aside until needed.
    • Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a mixing bowl, making sure to combine all the ingredients.
    • Add the carrots, coconut, pecans, pineapple (with juice) and vanilla to a bowl and mix well.
    • Add the flour mixture to the applesauce mixture. Mix just enough to combine.
    • Add the carrot mixture to the mixing bowl with the other combined ingredients and mix just enough to combine.
    • Divide the batter into the three prepared pans.
    • Bake for 25-30 minutes on the center rack of the preheated oven.
      *a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean.
    • Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to a cooling rack and let cool completely.

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Beat the butter and cream cheese until fluffy.
    • Add the vanilla and powdered sugar, mix until well blended and creamy.
      *Don't overmix the frosting

    Assembly

    • If necessary trim the top of each layer so they are flat.
    • Invert one layer of the carrot cake onto a cake plate or stand and begin frosting the top of the cake. Spead the layer of frosting evenly using a spatula.
    • Gently place the second cake on top and continue frosting. Repeat the process with the third layer.
    • Finish frosting the sides of the cake with the remaining frosting, keeping it as even as possible.
      *it's okay for a little of the cake to show through.
    • Refrigerate for an hour before serving to allow the cake to firm up.
      *You can refrigerate the cake overnight, just remove it about an hour before serving to allow the carrot cake to come back to room temperature. The cake will actually taste better the next day.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 774kcal | Carbohydrates: 99g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 350mg | Potassium: 332mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 78g | Vitamin A: 4632IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 94mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

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    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

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    1. Becky Comer

      September 11, 2022 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      This was hands-down the best carrot cake recipe ever and I received 5 stars from those that had some of my cake made from this recipe. Thanks Chef Dennis for sharing it with us all. ❤

      Reply
    2. Debra

      August 22, 2021 at 10:16 am

      5 stars
      Restaurant style for sure! So many compliments when I made this for a neighbors birthday.

      Reply
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    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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