This carrot cake recipe and Easter go together like eggs and bacon. This cake is wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced and paired perfectly with the delightful homemade cream cheese frosting.
Optional: 1 cup mix-ins or toppings chopped nutsshredded coconut, currants or raisins
For the Frosting:
8ouncescream cheese room temperature
½cup1 stick salted butterroom temperature
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1-2cupspowdered sugar
Instructions
Heat oven to 325 degrees for cake, 365 for cupcakes.
In a large bowl combine all dry ingredients, including options. Mix really well and set aside.
Add wet ingredients into the dry ones slowly and only mix until everything is damp. Over mixing causes the cake to not raise.
For Cake:
Pour into a well greased 9×11 pan. Avoid smoothing the top around as much as possible to keep air in the batter.
Bake at 325 degrees for 60 min., insert a tooth pick in center to check doneness. If the toothpick comes out clean it is done and still very moist.
For Cupcakes:
Pour into greased or lined 8 cupcake pan. Bake at 365 degrees for approximately 18-22 minutes (depending on oven), insert a toothpick in the center to check if it is done. If the toothpick comes out clean it is done and still very moist.
For the Frosting:
Whip cream cheese until fluffy. Add vanilla.
Add butter one tablespoon at a time while mixing.
Add powdered sugar slowly while whisking. Start with 1 cup and add to taste.
If frosting is lumpy your butter and/or cream cheese was not at room temperature. Warming frosting in microwave and whipping vigorously can help it come back together. Refrigerate for one hour before frosting your cake.