Description
This Salted Caramel Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is the kind of dessert that makes everyone stop after the first bite. It is soft, moist, warmly spiced, and layered with rich cream cheese frosting plus a buttery salted caramel drizzle that takes it over the top. Whether you need an easy recipe for holiday dessert tables, brunch gatherings, birthday treats, or cozy weekend baking, this carrot cake fits right in with your favorite dessert ideas, cake recipes, homemade sweets, and crowd-pleasing food ideas.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup light brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups finely shredded carrots
3/4 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup salted caramel sauce
1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt, optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In another bowl, whisk the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
5. Fold in the shredded carrots and chopped pecans.
6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
9. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
10. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt, then beat until creamy.
11. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled cake.
12. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the frosting and finish with flaky sea salt if desired.
13. Slice and serve.
Notes
Use finely shredded carrots for the softest texture and best moisture throughout the cake.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting so the cream cheese frosting stays thick and smooth.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 432
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 298mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 63mg
Keywords: salted caramel carrot cake, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, easy carrot cake recipe, moist carrot cake, homemade cake, dessert ideas, easy recipe, holiday dessert, cake recipes, food ideas