Carrot cake is one of those desserts that seemingly has it all: It’s seasonless, easy to make, impossibly moist, and typically slathered in velvety cream cheese frosting, We’re hard-pressed to think of an occasion that’s not enhanced with the addition of a carrot cake, and this recipe collection offers all kinds of options, from a classic two-layer to an unfussy snack cake and an elegant bundt studded with fruit and blanketed in a sour cream glaze. Get out your box grater and decide which of these tasty carrot cake variations you’ll make first.
Spiced Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Frosting
Hetal Vasavada invites cardamom to mingle with the usual warming spices in her tender, moist carrot cake; sweet golden raisins and crunchy pistachios bring texture and even more flavor. Brown butter ghee makes its way into both the cake and the frosting for an incredible nutty richness.
Carrot and Orange Cake with Sour Cream Glaze
This carrot cake from cookbook author Nik Sharma is something special. “Chopped pieces of dried apricots and candied orange peels give each slice of cake a spot of unexpected fruit sweetness, while the pistachios add texture to the soft cake,” he says. “Serve it with a cup of warm tea or coffee to complete the experience.”
Classic Carrot Cake with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting
Kelsey Hansen / Food Styling by Annie Probst / Prop Styling by Sue Mitchell
A classic carrot cake is a crowd-pleaser and can work in traditional layers, in a loaf pan, or even as cupcakes. Pastry chef Jodi Elliot prepares the ultimate version of the 1970s favorite: moist and not too sweet.
Carrot-Almond Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Rich, dense, and moist, this no-fuss carrot sheet cake hits all the right notes — cream cheese frosting is an undeniable crowd favorite.
Carrot Cake Marmalade with Yogurt and Fresh Fruit
While you certainly could cut yourself a slice of carrot cake and call it breakfast, chef Mason Hereford offers what’s perhaps a more morning-friendly choice in his warmly spiced carrot marmalade. Creamy, tangy yogurt brings in the same complementary notes as the cake’s traditional cream cheese frosting.
Take 5 Carrot Cupcakes
These moist cupcakes include shredded carrots in the batter, making them the ideal treat for carrot cake fans. They’re spiced with cinnamon and piped with a silky-smooth cream cheese frosting.
Coconut Flour Carrot Cake
Carrot and coconut are a natural pairing. Here, Emily Farris plays up the duo to offer a pleasingly dense, gluten-free carrot cake made with coconut flour — feel free to decorate it with shredded coconut as well as the walnuts, toasted or not.
Carrot, Coconut, and Zucchini Bread
Less sweet than a layer cake, this simple loaf packs in even more veggie goodness by adding zucchini to the carrot-coconut mix. A generous portion of coconut is reserved for the top, which turns nice and toasty in the oven.
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