Carrot Cake Recipe
“Nothing says Christmas like the warm aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves filling your home.”
If you’re looking for a show-stopping dessert to add to your holiday table, this Christmas Carrot Cake is the perfect choice. It’s packed with warming spices, moist layers, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. Topped with festive decorations, this cake is bound to become a family tradition.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this recipe will guide you every step of the way. So, grab your apron, preheat that oven, and let’s bake some Christmas magic!
🎁 Why You’ll Love This Christmas Carrot Cake
1️⃣ Festive Flavors: The perfect blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger creates that warm, nostalgic Christmas feeling.
2️⃣ Moist Texture: Thanks to grated carrots, pineapple, and optional raisins, this cake stays irresistibly moist.
3️⃣ Stunning Presentation: Decorated with candied ginger, walnuts, and festive toppers, it’s a visual centerpiece.
4️⃣ Make-Ahead Friendly: The cake actually tastes better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
📝 Ingredients for the Perfect Christmas Carrot Cake
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this holiday masterpiece. Most of these ingredients are already in your pantry!
For the Cake:
• 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100g) brown sugar (light or dark)
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 ½ cups (275g) grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
• 1 cup (150g) chopped walnuts (optional)
• ¾ cup (120g) raisins (optional)
• ½ cup (120g) crushed pineapple, drained (optional but highly recommended)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
• 225g (8oz) cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
• 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar (sifted)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1-2 tbsp heavy cream (if needed for consistency)
• Pinch of salt
For Decoration:
• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Candied ginger, cranberries, or festive sprinkles
• Optional: Edible gold leaf or Christmas-themed cake toppers
🧁 Pro Tip: Toast the walnuts before adding them to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor.
🍰 Step-by-Step Instructions
This cake may look fancy, but it’s surprisingly simple to make. Follow these steps and you’ll have a festive showstopper ready in no time.
1️⃣ Make the Cake Batter
1️⃣ Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two 9-inch (23 cm) round cake pans with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Mix the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and salt.
3️⃣ Combine the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4️⃣ Bring it all together: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until combined (do not overmix!).
5️⃣ Fold in the extras: Add grated carrots, walnuts, raisins, and pineapple. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
🍍 Pro Tip: For the best texture, make sure to drain the pineapple thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.
6️⃣ Divide and bake: Pour the batter evenly into the two prepared pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7️⃣ Cool down: Let the cakes cool for 10-15 minutes in the pans, then remove them and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
2️⃣ Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Now for the most decadent part – the frosting! Here’s how to make it perfect every time.
1️⃣ Beat the butter and cream cheese: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter with a mixer for 2-3 minutes until smooth.
2️⃣ Add the sweetness: Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed at first (to avoid a sugar cloud) and then on high until fluffy.
3️⃣ Adjust consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream until you reach the desired consistency.
❄️ Make-Ahead Tip: The frosting can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and beat it again before using.
🎂 Assemble & Decorate
Now comes the fun part — turning your cake into a Christmas masterpiece!
1️⃣ Layer it up: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thick, even layer of cream cheese frosting on top.
2️⃣ Stack and frost: Add the second cake layer on top. Spread frosting on the top and sides of the entire cake.
3️⃣ Decorate: Press chopped walnuts along the sides of the cake. Top with festive elements like candied ginger, cranberries, or holiday-themed cake toppers.
🎉 Pro Tip: Want an extra festive touch? Sprinkle edible gold leaf or Christmas-themed sprinkles on top!
Make it once, and it’s bound to become a yearly tradition. Ready to give it a try? Gather your ingredients and create a cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Happy Baking and Merry Christmas! 🎄✨
💬 Did you make this cake? Tag us on social media and share your creations using the hashtag #ChristmasCarrotCake. We’d love to see your holiday magic!
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