I am a huge fan of sweets and when I'm not writing about food or chasing after my sneaky dog, I'm a full-time home baker! Even though I probably I couldn't tell you my all-time favorite dessert, I do have a few particular ones that I tend to gravitate towards - carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is one of them. I always think that enjoying a slice of your favorite carrot cake recipe kind of counts as eating your vegetables, right?
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You might see carrot cake displayed on the Easter dessert table this year or maybe for your springtime wedding cake, but in my opinion, carrot cake is perfect all year round. Check out some of the best carrot cake recipes below and see if you can decide on your favorite!
1. Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Classic, moist, and filled with warm flavors, this carrot cake recipe has three cake layers and is looking to make its way on your party table! This is real-deal carrot cake, like the one Grandma would make. If you're not a fan of all the mix-ins (shredded coconut, crushed pineapple, and raisins), then you'll love this recipe.
Spices like ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger give this carrot cake those comforting flavors that will fill the house with an amazing aroma. You'll notice the addition of applesauce in the cake batter. It adds some extra flavor and also prevents the carrot cake from being too oily.
2. Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you or someone you're going to be serving has a sensitivity towards wheat, which is found in all-purpose flour, then this gluten-free carrot cake recipe is one to write down. It's loaded with grated carrots, chopped pecans and warm spices like ground cinnamon and nutmeg.
Can't get enough of that rustic, naked cake look, too! Here's the recipe.
3. World's Best Carrot Cake
Give me a slice of carrot cake with all the mix-ins and I'll be a very happy camper! This delicious recipe is one that you'll find on my Easter dessert table. It's filled with crushed pineapple, shredded coconut, and walnuts. Sometimes I like to replace half of the granulated sugar for brown sugar for that extra kick of molasses flavor.
This is also a great recipe to use if you want to make carrot cake cupcakes, rather than one cake. You can even put the cake batter into a bundt pan.
You'll hear nothing but rave reviews! Here's the recipe.
4. Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
You won't miss the real deal carrot cake with this vegan gluten-free carrot cake. It's just as flavorful and full of delicious ingredients. And now that there are so many vegan butter substitutes available, you can still enjoy one of the best parts about this cake- the "cream cheese" frosting!
You'll also be putting your food processor to good use, so get it fired up because this recipe calls for one pound of grated carrots! Freshly grated carrots are always preferred when making carrot cake, but if you're tight on prep time, pre-grated carrots work as well. Here's the recipe.
5. Carrot Cake Waffles
Carrot cake waffles for dessert, anyone? Break out your waffle maker because this eye-catcher will be the talk of the party! Carrot cake waffles are arranged just like a layer cake with a generous spread of maple nut cream cheese frosting. A great recipe that's so fitting for dessert, even breakfast!
6. Carrot Cake Greek Yogurt Cheesecake Parfaits
I love these individual, layer cakes that look perfect in mason jars! Use your favorite carrot cake recipe or the one included from Cupcakes and Kale Chips. The delicious recipe included is flourless and flavored with some ingredients like: orange zest, vanilla extract, raisins and plenty of grated carrots! .
The tangy no-bake Greek yogurt cheesecake filling is light and a nice change from the classic cream cheese frosting. These parfaits would also make fun party favor. Here's the recipe.
7. Carrot Cake Cheesecake
You get the best of both worlds with this gorgeous carrot cake cheesecake! Rich and decadent, there's something for everyone with this layered cake.
Between the carrot cake, cheesecake and sour cream topping, you might have a hard time deciding on the best part of this cake! Here's the recipe.
8. Carrot Cake Dip with Cinnamon Sugar Wontons
This might not be a traditional carrot cake recipe, but this dip sure does taste like it! This dip is filled with similar ingredients found in carrot cake recipe-cream cheese, grated carrots, ground cinnamon, pecans and powdered sugar.
The best part is that you don't have to prepare any cake pans for this or worry about baking the cake. Here's the recipe.
9. Carrot Cake Blondies
I love making blondies for a big crowd. Recipes usually make a larger amount so there's plenty to go around! These carrot cake blondies are chewy and packed with warm spices. Luscious cream cheese frosting is spread on top for the perfect sweet treat. You can prep these carrot cake blondies in advance and keep them at room temperature or freeze them.
10. Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies are a fun twist on regular carrot cake. They make the perfect Springtime treat and the extra dose of toasted, shredded coconut is so elegant! Make sure to use your handy ice cream scoop for perfectly sized Whoopie Pies and to cool them on a wire rack. Here's the recipe.
11. Carrot Cake Doughnuts
These carrot cake doughnuts serve as a fun dessert, but I'm thinking they could easily pass for breakfast, too! I mea, they're packed with grated carrots and crushed pineapple so that counts as nutritious, right?
The cream cheese frosting recipe is more like a glaze, but just as delicious. A great recipe that doesn't require much prep time- just make sure to invest in a few doughnut pans. Here's the recipe.
