Nani’s Favorite Moist Carrot Cake

Name: Nani’s Favorite Moist Carrot Cake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1 cup vegetable oil; 4 large eggs; 3 cups finely grated carrots; 1 cup chopped pecans; 8 ounces softened cream cheese; 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter; 3 cups powdered sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

This classic carrot cake is incredibly soft, warmly spiced, and topped with the dreamiest cream cheese frosting.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

20 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

1 hour

Serves

There is something so comforting about a slice of homemade carrot cake. I love how the fresh grated carrots keep the sponge perfectly moist while the blend of cinnamon and nutmeg gives it that cozy flavor we all crave.

My biggest tip is to grate your carrots by hand using the fine side of your box grater. It makes a world of difference in the texture of the cake. Do not forget to toast your pecans briefly before adding them for that extra crunch.

🧺 Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
3 cups finely grated carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a nine by thirteen inch baking pan.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3
In a separate bowl, beat the sugar, oil, and eggs until smooth, then stir in the grated carrots.
4
Combine the wet and dry mixtures, fold in the pecans, and pour the batter into your prepared pan.
5
Bake for thirty five to forty minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6
While the cake cools, beat the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until fluffy.
7
Frost the cooled cake generously before serving.

💡 Tips

Store any leftovers in the refrigerator to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. This cake actually tastes even better on the second day after the flavors have had time to meld together. You can wrap individual slices in plastic wrap to freeze them for a quick treat later.

#carrot cake #dessert #homemade #baking #classic

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