Best Carrot Cake Ever
Best Carrot Cake (or Muffins!) Ever
If you've been following our Instagram stories, you'll know that we recently shared the best carrot cake muffins ever. And by the best, I mean they're both delicious and apparently very lucky. Every time I've made this carrot cake recipe as muffins with these amazing football-themed sprinkles, our favorite football team wins, and now they're in the Superbowl 👀
Now I'm not saying we're superstitious. But I'm also no dummy, so you can bet I'll be making these things again for the big game. I've also gotten a few requests for the recipe, so I wrote it all out for you fine folks who might also be looking for that... competitive edge.
Kid-Friendly Carrot Cake for Easter
In addition to football-related muffins, we also make this carrot cake recipe in two-layer cake form every year for Easter. It's a perfect Easter dessert that's relatively easy to make. The kids love to help shred the carrots, which has also encouraged them to try some fresh carrots on the side as a snack (double win!)
Since I'm an honest kinda gal, I'll admit I usually prefer cooking over baking, because precision is, well...boring. But this recipe is easy and well worth the effort. Over the years we've worked out a few kinks and think we've come up with the best carrot cake ever.
Necessary-ish Things
Tools for the Best Carrot Cake Ever
Just a few items that can help with this recipe, but I'm sure you can make due with whatever you have around. For the record, we once attached a whisk to an electric drill to make a cheesecake because our hand-mixer broke, so I'm sure you'll figure something out.
Comes with an attachable container & lid
She's cute and she's ergonomic
The large one is big enough for this recipe
I love the paddle attachment with this one
These colors are sooo nice
I make multiple sizes when I do muffins
The best ever carrot cake (or muffins!) that are easy and delicious
- 2 cups flour (all-purpose is fine)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 3 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups carrots, peeled & grated
- 4 large eggs, room temp (Set these out before you grate your carrots)
- 3/4 cup Avocado oil, or other vegetable oil ((Other oils: Coconut, sunflower, safflower, canola))
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
- 1 package (8oz) cream cheese, room temp
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temp
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered confectioners sugar
- Football sprinkles
- Food-safe coloring
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Peel & grate carrots; set aside
We use a standard cheese grater on the coarse cut (bigger holes) side
- Combine dry ingredients in an extra large mixing bowl; set aside
Flour thru Salt on the ingredients list above.
Use a dry whisk or fork to blend & aerate the mixture, removing any clumps
- Combine wet ingredients. Whisk together for at least 1-2 min until well combined
Eggs thru Applesauce on the ingredients list above
I try to whisk a little air into this wet mixture to make it just a little lighter. If using a machine, 1 min is fine; longer is better if whisking manually
- Add carrots to wet mixture
I fold these in. A spatula or large spoon is fine
- Gently fold wet mixture into the dry ingredients
This is where you DO NOT want to overmix. Gently scrape the sides & bottom as you fold in wet mix to make sure everything is well combined
- Pour or spoon mixture into greased pans. Bake at 350°F using time chart below
- 2 Round 9" pans – 30-35 mins
- Extra large muffins – 18-25 mins
- Standard muffins – 15-18 mins
- Mini muffins – 9-12 mins
Check doneness with a toothpick
- Set cakes aside to cool
- Using a hand or stand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth
Remember, cream cheese should be at room temp
- Add butter & vanilla extract, beat until smooth
Also room temp. A paddle attachment is good for thisÂ
- Slowly add powdered sugar until fully combined & smooth; Put in fridge to cool
Cool approx. 15 mins
- Frost cakes using piping bag or spatula; Decorate with sprinkles if you choose!
Our favorite lucky sprinkles may or may not have helped our team get to the Superbowl. Just sayin'
To decorate with colored frosting, reserve a small portion of the cream cheese icing and dye with food-safe coloring