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–+ servings
Close up side view of carrot cake

Single Layer Carrot Cake (No Nuts)

Tracy @ Next Level Baker
This single-layer carrot cake is moist and flavorful, with a perfect blend of spices and grated carrots. Topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting, it's an indulgent dessert that's perfect for any special occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Frosting 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24

Equipment

  • 1 Grater or food processor

Ingredients
  

Carrot Cake

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups grated carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 8 tablespoons salted butter softened
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ tablespoon vanilla optional*
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt optional**

Instructions
 

Making the carrot cake

  • Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9x13 cake pan with cooking spray.
  • Add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt to a mixing bowl and mix well.
  • Add the white sugar and oil to the mixing bowl and mix on low until integrated.
  • Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix on low until integrated.
  • Add the shredded carrots and stir or mix on low until they are evenly distributed.
  • Pour the cake batter into sprayed 9x13 baking pan. Bake at 350℉ for about 50 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to fully cool before frosting.

Making the frosting

  • Put the softened cream cheese and softened salted butter in to a mixing bowl and mix on medium until thoroughly combined and fluffy with no lumps remaining.
  • Add 3 cups of the powdered sugar, and the salt and the vanilla (if using) to the mixing bowl and mix until integrated. Scrape down the sides. Add the last cup of powdered sugar and mix on medium high to high until light and fluffy, approximately 5-7 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl halfway through.
  • Apply the frosting to the cooled cake with a piping bag, offset icing spatula or a regular knife.

Notes

*The vanilla in the cream cheese frosting is optional. It gives the frosting a nice hint of flavor, but regular brown vanilla does tint the frosting so keep that in mind. 
**The salt in the frosting is also optional. Frosting can be very sweet, so the added salt and salted butter helps to cut the sweetness of the frosting. 

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Keyword Carrot Cake
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