There are cakes you bake once in a while, and then there are cakes you come back to again and again. This Carrot Cake with Pecans is one of those. Moist, warmly spiced, and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, it’s the kind of bake that feels just as right for a birthday celebration as it does for a quiet afternoon with coffee.
The combination of grated carrots, pecans, and raisins makes the crumb tender, nutty, and just sweet enough. The cream cheese frosting adds that tangy richness that balances everything out, while the final sprinkle of pecans on top gives crunch and character.
At our table, this cake never lasts long, one slice turns into two, and before you know it, the plate is empty.
Ingredients
For the cake:
260 g all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
295 ml vegetable oil
200 g granulated sugar
190 g brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs
300 g grated carrots
120 g chopped pecans
70 g raisins
For the frosting:
225 g cream cheese (softened)
2 tsp cornstarch
140 g powdered sugar
80 ml heavy cream
50 g chopped pecans (for topping)
Method
1. Preheat oven to 175°C.
2. Grease and line two 23 cm cake pans.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. In another bowl, whisk oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
5. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
6. Stir in grated carrots, pecans, and raisins.
7. Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
8. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
9. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
10. For the frosting: beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and cream until smooth and fluffy.
11. Frost the cooled cakes, stack them into layers, and finish with chopped pecans on top.
Serving FromAtoZ
Serve with coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.
Add a sprinkle of orange zest on top for brightness.
Store leftovers in the fridge, the flavor deepens the next day.
For a festive touch, decorate with edible flowers or candied carrot strips.
Moist, spiced, and topped with just the right amount of tangy frosting, this cake is everything we love to bake and share FromAtoZ.
FromAtoZ 