Imagine sinking your fork into a slice of the most moist, decadent carrot cake you've ever tasted - with a luxurious maple cream cheese frosting that transforms an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary culinary experience. This isn't just another carrot cake; this is a showstopping, crowd-pleasing masterpiece that combines classic American baking traditions with a modern, irresistible twist that will have everyone begging for seconds!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 60 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 10 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together until well blended.
- In another bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil and eggs until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fold in the grated carrots until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans, smoothing the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
- Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the maple cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract to the cream cheese, and continue to beat until the mixture is well combined and fluffy.
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of maple cream cheese frosting on top of the first layer.
- Place the second layer on top of the frosted layer, and use the remaining frosting to frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Optional: Decorate the top of the cake with additional grated carrots, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup for an extra touch.
- Slice and serve your delicious carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting. Enjoy!
Tips
- Use fresh, finely grated carrots for the best texture and moisture
- Don't overmix the batter - this can make your cake tough
- Make sure cream cheese is truly softened at room temperature for smooth frosting
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting
- For extra moisture, you can add 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple to the batter
- Store the cake in the refrigerator, but let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture
- For a decorative touch, toast some chopped nuts to sprinkle on top of the frosting
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 480kcal
Carbohydrates: 62g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 75mg
