Get ready to experience a dessert that's not just a cake, but a flavor explosion that will transform your baking game forever! Our Carrot Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting is the perfect blend of moist, spiced goodness and bright, zesty citrus that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Whether you're a baking novice or a seasoned pro, this recipe promises to deliver a show-stopping dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp orange zest
- 2 tbsp orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots, all-purpose flour, sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 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 the cakes to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the orange cream cheese frosting. In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined. Then, add the orange zest and orange juice, and continue to beat until the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
- Once the cakes have completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of the orange cream cheese frosting on top.
- Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted layer. Use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake.
- Optionally, garnish the cake with additional orange zest or grated carrots for decoration. Slice and serve your delicious carrot cake with orange cream cheese frosting!
Tips
- Grate your carrots fresh for maximum moisture and flavor. Avoid pre-packaged grated carrots.
- Don't overmix the batter - this can lead to a tough, dense cake. Mix just until ingredients are combined.
- For extra moisture, you can add 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple (drained) to the batter.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting.
- For a more intense orange flavor, add a bit more orange zest to both the cake and frosting.
- Store the cake in the refrigerator, but let it sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- If you want a more rustic look, you can leave the sides of the cake partially unfrosted for a "naked cake" style presentation.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 470kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 65mg
