Description
Salted Caramel Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a rich, moist dessert that turns a classic carrot cake into one of the best easy recipe ideas for holidays, gatherings, and everyday baking. With warm cinnamon spice, tender shredded carrots, tangy cream cheese frosting, and a buttery salted caramel drizzle, this easy dessert recipe is perfect when you need homemade food ideas that feel special without being complicated.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups finely shredded carrots
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
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 together the brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Stir the shredded carrots and crushed pineapple into the wet mixture.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
6. Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
7. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 42 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
9. Beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy.
10. Add the powdered sugar and heavy cream, then beat until creamy.
11. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
12. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top and finish with flaky sea salt if desired.
13. Slice and serve.
Notes
Finely shred the carrots so they blend smoothly into the cake and keep the crumb extra moist.
Make sure the cake is fully cooled before frosting or the cream cheese frosting will melt.
Chill the cake for 20 to 30 minutes after frosting if you want cleaner slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 78mg
Keywords: salted caramel carrot cake, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, easy dessert recipe, homemade cake, dessert ideas, food ideas