A soft and moist Carrot Cake with maple cream cheese frosting.
Recipe by Jessica Holmes on April 14, 2019
Prep time: PT30M
Cook time: PT35M
Total time: PT1H5M
Rating
4.9 stars ( reviews)
Keywords
Carrot cake, Carrot layer cake
Ingredients
315 grams (2 and 1/4 cups) plain flour or all purpose flour
180 grams (1 cup) brown sugar
100 grams (1/2 cup) caster sugar or granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
240 ml (1 cup) flavourless oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
180 ml (3/4 cup) milk
200 grams (2 cups) carrot, roughly grated
110 grams (1 cup) walnuts or pecans, roughly chopped
500 grams (approximately 2 and 1/2 cups) full fat block cream cheese, softened
250 grams (2 cups) icing sugar or powdered sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
Pinch of salt
55 grams (1/2 cup) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
Categories
Cake
Cuisine
American
Steps
Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment or baking paper.
In a large mixing bowl, add flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
In a separate bowl, add oil, vanilla, eggs and milk and whisk gently, just to break up the egg yolks.
Add carrot and nuts to dry ingredients, along with the wet ingredients, and mix gently until combined.
Pour into prepared cake tins. Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Gently remove cakes from cake pans and leave on a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, add the cream cheese and sugar to a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined and smooth.
Add maple syrup and a pinch of salt and beat again. Spread one third of the frosting onto one of the cake layers. Add the other cake on top. Add remaining frosting on top.
Sprinkle over chopped nuts. Cut and serve.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 621 calories
Carbohydrates: 67.9 g
Protein: 8.3 g
Fat: 37.1 g
Saturated Fat: 21.2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 76.2 mg
Sodium: 193.8 mg
Sugar: 46.8 g
Reviews
Becky on 2025-05-02 (5 stars): I made this cake for my mil! Super easy to follow and love that it’s made with pantry staples… just had to pick up the cream cheese! She’s asked for the recipe!! 😉
Madeleine on 2025-09-21 (5 stars): Sorry, I meant Jessica!! 🤦🏻♀️
Ross on 2025-10-11 (5 stars): this is theeee best carrot cake I've tasted. swear. it's not because I made it. well, maybe. lol, but I have a question!! if I want to use another filling and use the frosting only for decoration - how much of the ingredients should I use? TIA!
jess on 2025-10-18 (2 stars): it wasn't that good I've had way better
Erlina on 2026-02-19 (5 stars): This is really THE BEST!!! My family loves it, guests love it!!
I have done it several times, and I am doing it today again for my daughter's bday. And probably for Easter too.
Robin on 2026-04-06 (5 stars): This is an absolutely wonderful carrot cake recipe, thankyou Jess! Super delicious and easy too. Will be coming back to it for sure :) I made 2/3 recipe in an 8" square tin and it was perfect