Name: Carrot Cake for Easter Dinner
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 3/4 cup vegetable oil; 4 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups grated carrots; 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional); 1 cup raisins (optional); 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2-3 tablespoons milk or cream

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Easter Carrot Cake: A Festive Delight for Your Spring Celebration 🥕🍰💐

1. Introduction

Easter is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with a delicious, homemade cake? This Easter carrot cake recipe is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday dinner. Imagine the smiles as your guests savor each bite, bursting with sweet carrots, warm spices, and a tangy cream cheese frosting. This spring carrot cake is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you’re an experienced baker looking for a reliable recipe or just starting out and want an easy carrot cake for holidays, this recipe is simple to make and incredibly satisfying. You might even want to check out other dessert options for the perfect Easter spread! Get ready to create a moist, flavorful, and visually stunning cake that captures the essence of spring.

Delicious Easter Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting and candied carrots decoration.

2. Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather all your ingredients to ensure a smooth baking experience. Here’s what you’ll need for this delightful Easter carrot cake recipe:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 cup raisins (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk or cream

Consider adding a touch of pineapple for extra moisture, just like the folks at Southern Kitchen do!

3. Equipment

Having the right equipment can make all the difference in creating a perfect festive carrot cake for Easter. Make sure you have these essentials ready:

Two 9-inch round cake pans
Mixing bowls
Electric mixer
Rubber spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Grater
Parchment paper

Don’t have parchment paper? No problem! Just grease and flour the pans thoroughly to prevent sticking. If you are looking for ideas for breakfast, take a look at these breakfast and brunch recipes!

4. Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part! Follow these simple steps to bake your delicious spring carrot cake:

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This ensures that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the Easter carrot cake recipe, creating a warm and inviting flavor. A whisk is your best friend here, ensuring everything is perfectly combined.

Grated carrots, flour, and spices mixed in a bowl for Easter Carrot Cake recipe.

2. Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable oil. Beat with an electric mixer until well combined, creating a smooth base for your batter. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. This helps to emulsify the mixture, resulting in a tender crumb. Stir in the vanilla extract. This easy carrot cake for holidays becomes even easier with these simple steps. It’s all about layering those flavors and textures!

Vegetable oil being added to the ingredients for carrot cake.

3. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients and Add Carrots, Nuts, and Raisins

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake. Fold in the grated carrots, walnuts (or pecans), and raisins. This gives the festive carrot cake for Easter its signature texture and flavor. Don’t be shy with the carrots – they’re the star of the show! Looking for something different? Perhaps these oatmeal raisin cookie bars will be your thing!

Nuts and raisins being added to carrot cake batter before baking.

4. Bake the Cake

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. Cooling completely is crucial! With the help of this spring carrot cake, your guests will ask for more. If you are a cookie enjoyer, try these cake mix chocolate chip cookies!

Carrot cake being taken out of the oven.

5. Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy – this is key to a perfect frosting! Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. This creamy, tangy frosting perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.

6. Frost the Cake

Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving platter or cake stand. Ensuring the cake is cool prevents the frosting from melting. Spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top. Place the second layer on top of the frosting and frost the entire cake. Get creative and make it beautiful!

7. Decoration Ideas

To make your Easter carrot cake recipe even more festive, consider these decoration ideas. Transform your cake into a true work of art!

Candied carrots: Arrange candied carrots on top of the cake in a circular pattern for an elegant touch.
Walnuts or pecans: Sprinkle chopped nuts around the base of the cake for added texture and visual appeal.
Edible flowers: Add edible flowers for a touch of spring beauty and sophistication.
Easter-themed sprinkles: Use Easter-themed sprinkles to add a pop of color and fun. Consider checking out these 6-ingredient peanut butter kiss cookies!

8. Tips and Tricks

Want to take your easy carrot cake for holidays to the next level? Here are some insider tips and tricks:

For an extra moist cake, add a 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple to the batter – it’s a game-changer!
Toast the walnuts or pecans before adding them to the batter for a richer, more intense flavor.
Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened before making the frosting to avoid lumps. Patience is key!
If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk or cream until it reaches the desired consistency.
Store the cake in the refrigerator to keep the frosting firm, especially if you’re making it ahead of time.

Maybe try these beautiful pancake board or Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes for your easter brunch! Or, how about some homemade tortillas for dinner?

9. Conclusion

This Easter carrot cake recipe is the perfect way to celebrate the spring season and create lasting memories. With its moist, flavorful cake and creamy frosting, it’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and create a festive carrot cake for Easter that will be the highlight of your holiday dinner. You might want to browse these dinner ideas. Enjoy your delicious spring carrot cake! Remember to check main dishes for complete menu!