If you’re searching for the ultimate moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, this is the recipe you’ll come back to again and again. Packed with freshly grated carrots, warm spices, and crunchy nuts, this classic cake delivers rich flavor and a tender crumb that stays soft for days. Finished with a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting, it’s the perfect dessert for Easter, birthdays, or anytime you want a comforting homemade treat.
Why You’ll Love This Moist Carrot Cake
This carrot cake is everything a classic dessert should be. It’s deeply moist without being heavy, perfectly spiced without overpowering the carrots, and topped with a luscious frosting that balances sweetness with a gentle tang. The neutral oil keeps the cake tender, while the blend of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg adds cozy warmth. Best of all, it’s simple to make and always gets rave reviews.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Carrot Cake
- 4 large eggs
- 1¼ cups neutral oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1¼ tsp fine sea salt
- 3 cups finely grated carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
How to Make Moist Carrot Cake (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
Step 4: Bring Everything Together
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Gently stir in the grated carrots and chopped nuts.
Step 5: Bake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool Completely
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 7: Make the Frosting
Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in vanilla until fluffy and spreadable.
Step 8: Frost and Assemble
Frost the cooled cake layers, stack, and spread frosting evenly over the top and sides.
Tips & Variations
- For extra moisture, grate carrots finely rather than shredding
- Skip nuts for a nut-free version or replace with raisins
- Add crushed pineapple (drained) for extra sweetness
- Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner cuts
Serving Ideas & Storage
Serve this carrot cake at room temperature for the best texture. It pairs beautifully with tea or coffee. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 2 months.
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Easy Moist Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Make the famous steakhouse dish at home! This Ruth’s Chris Stuffed Chicken copycat is filled with a creamy herb cheese mixture with crab and spinach, then baked until juicy and flavorful. Perfect for a fancy-but-easy dinner, finished with buttery pan juices for that restaurant-style experience.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8 oz lump crab meat
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
5 oz frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 tbsp shallot, finely minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
7 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp Old Bay seasoning
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp white pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup chicken broth
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Thaw spinach and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tbsp butter. Sauté shallot and garlic for 1 minute, then add spinach and cook until any remaining moisture evaporates. Remove from heat.
3. In a bowl, mix cream cheese, heavy cream, Parmesan, crab, parsley, lemon juice, garlic powder, Old Bay, kosher salt, black pepper, white pepper, and cayenne. Fold in the cooked spinach mixture.
4. Butterfly each chicken breast (slice horizontally, not all the way through). Season lightly with salt and pepper.
5. Spoon filling into each breast and close. Secure with toothpicks if needed.
6. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken 2–3 minutes per side until lightly golden.
7. Add chicken broth and remaining 3 tbsp butter to the skillet. Spoon a little of the pan liquid over the chicken.
8. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake 18–22 minutes, or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.
9. Rest 5 minutes. Remove toothpicks, then spoon buttery pan juices over the chicken and serve.
Notes
Alcohol-free option: Replace any wine in similar recipes with extra chicken broth.
Seafood-free option: Swap crab with chopped cooked chicken or extra spinach.
Make-ahead: Stuff chicken up to 24 hours ahead, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Reheat: Best in the oven at 325°F until warmed through to keep the chicken juicy.
Food safety: Cook chicken to 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed chicken breast
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 185 mg
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sodium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ~520 | 6g | 62g | 28g | 3g | 420mg |
Final Thoughts
This easy moist carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a timeless dessert that never goes out of style. Simple ingredients, reliable results, and incredible flavor make it a must-have recipe for your collection. One slice truly feels like pure happiness.