This To Die For Carrot Cake recipe receives rave reviews for it’s unbelievable moistness and delicious flavor! Truly the BEST Carrot Cake you’ll ever try! So easy to make and as an added bonus, there’s no oil or butter. I know this cake will quickly become a family favorite! Looking for a layered cake alternative? Check out these Carrot Cake Bars!
Carrot Cake
There is nothing like a cake to transform an ordinary party into a celebration. There’s something so festive about cakes that scream it’s time to PARTY! Today I’m sharing a cake recipe with you all that’s a family heirloom. I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to share this recipe with you!
This is my Nana’s recipe – slightly modified – and it is sooo amazing! I get requests several times a year for this To Die For Carrot Cake and made it just last week for my sister’s birthday. I love this recipe because it’s a one-two-three recipe and that makes it so easy! It also is a one-bowl wonder which I love.
I have made this recipe hundreds of times and all my friends and family love this cake so much so that I get asked to bring it to parties, holidays, potlucks, and BBQs all year long. I just love that it’s SO easy to make and completely foolproof!
Best Carrot Cake Recipe
This carrot cake with pineapple makes it so moist and the addition of coconut adds a sweet, delicate flavor that you’re going to love!
I have many carrot cake recipes on my site – like these Carrot Cake Bars – but they are all variations of this one. There isn’t another recipe that I’ve ever tried that even comes close to this carrot cake recipe for flavor, moistness, and texture. It’s hands down the best carrot cake I’ve ever had. Period.
What’s In Carrot Cake
This easy carrot cake recipe with cream cheese frosting stands out from the rest for two important reasons: I use both applesauce (instead of oil) and pineapple for extra moistness. The rest of the ingredients are typical cake ingredients that you most likely already have on hand,.
- unsweetened applesauce or oil (my Nana used oil, I use applesauce)
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
- salt
- cinnamon
- carrots
- shredded sweetened coconut
- chopped nuts optional
- vanilla
- crushed pineapple
Does Carrot Cake Have Raisins?
This is totally up to you. I don’t include it in my recipe because so many in my family don’t like raisins. If you’d like to add raisins to this recipe, add half a cup of raisins in with the shredded carrot in Step 3. Golden raisins are especially delicious in this recipe!
Carrot Cake Frosting
My Nana’s recipe is super simple (as easy as 1-2-3) and tastes incredible but what’s a carrot cake without cream cheese frosting??
Cream cheese frosting is the standard when it comes to carrot cake and with good reason. Soft and gooey with a hint of tang from the cream cheese – it’s the perfect complement!
How To Decorate!
You can decorate the cake however you want and I do it differently every time. You really can’t do this wrong!
- After the cakes have finished cooling, invert one of the cakes onto a cake plate or stand. Apply a generous dollop of frosting and spread to cover. An offset spatula will make quick work of this. Gently place the second cake on top and continue frosting.
- For this carrot cake recipe, I chose to decorate with the nuts. I chopped up some toasted pecans and then inverted a bowl onto the cake.
- Gently spread the pecans around the bowl and you’ll end up with a nice clean circle on the center of the cake. Watch the video below to see how I did it!
- I could have left it like this but my family loves coconut so I filled in the center with shredded coconut. Turned out really pretty!
What a cake!! I’d love for you to give this from scratch carrot cake recipe a try – it really will blow your mind! I like to use light cream cheese frosting and then subbing the applesauce for the oil, well, obviously you can now have two pieces of cake!
Do you have family recipes that the whole family just LOVES like this cake recipe?? I’m so thankful that I was able to get so many fabulous recipes from my Nana. Every time we eat this cake, I think of her and all the yummy times we had together.
Tips for the Best Carrot Cake
- Toasting the pecans (if you’re using them) adds even more amazing flavor to this recipe.
- DO NOT use pre-shredded carrots. Buy standard carrots, peel and grate by hand for the best results. You want the fresh flavor in this cake – it’s what makes it so outstanding!
- I used three 8-inch cake pans in the video. I really like the size of the cake with three layers. These are the pans I used – they’re amazing!
- These cakes are SUPER moist – amazingly so. Make sure to adequately grease your pans before adding the cake batter. My little brother likes to grease his pans, and line them with a piece of parchment before baking. I’m far too lazy for that. Using the pans above, and some baking spray that has the flour added in (like Baker’s Joy or Pam with flour), I have never, ever had any sticking issues.
- I’ve had several requests from people wanting to know where I got my cake serving set from… Amazon, of course!
How To Make Carrot Cupcakes
This recipe can easily be converted into a cupcake recipe. I do recommend that you use parchment liners because this cake is very moist and could stick to regular paper liners.
To make carrot cupcakes:
- Follow instructions 1 and 2 below.
- Place liners in muffin pan and fill two-thirds full.
- Bake at 350F for 18 to 22 minutes.
- Let carrot cupcakes cool before frosting.
Try these cake recipes!
- Orange Creamsicle Cake
- Lemon Zucchini Cake
- Best Ever Texas Sheet Cake
- Strawberry Shortcake Roulade
- Zucchini Spice Cake
How To Make Carrot Cake
To Die For Carrot Cake
Ingredients
Cake:
One
- 1 ¼ cups unsweetened applesauce or oil, this is what my Nana used
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature
Two
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Three
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts optional
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup Dole crushed pineapple not drained! {use the pineapple in JUICE not syrup}
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup butter softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pound powdered sugar
- top with toasted pecans or coconut if desired
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine #1 ingredients. Add #2 ingredients. Stir in #3 ingredients.
- Pour into a lightly greased 9 x 13 , two 9-inch pans or three 8-inch pans. (The cake is very moist so cutting parchment for the bottom of your pans will ensure they don't stick. I prefer to use the non-stick baking spray that has the flour in it for easy cake removal.)
- Bake for 35-40 minutes for the 9x13 and 9-inch pans and 25-30 minutes for the 8-inch pans. You're looking for an inserted toothpick to come out clean.
- Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then remove to a cooling rack and let cool completely.
For the frosting:
- Beat the butter and cream cheese until nice and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and powdered sugar and beat until nice and smooth.
- Invert the cake onto a cake plate or stand.
- Apply a generous dollop of frosting and spread...
- Gently place the second cake on top and continue frosting. Repeat with the third cake if you made three.
- Refrigerate for an hour before serving for best results.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Original post published August 18, 2012. Updated February 27, 2018.
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Joanne Calve says
Hi Trish and all the readers/bakers
I just made this carrot cake and fed a crew working on the patio/driveway — it is literraly to die for. I opted for the apple sauce in lieu of the oil. I alternated the icing recipe because I do not like butter/margarine. I wipped nutriwip and 8oz of light philadelphia cream cheese and blended both and had more than enough to ice the whole cake ?. It is delicious and very easy to make. I will make it again. Thank you for sharing yiur recipe.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I love that you fed a crew with it! So glad you enjoyed the cake Joanne!
jordana mccarthy says
Thank you for the recipe I was trying to find an old recipe for 24 karat carrot cake I made years ago for a wedding cake your recipe came the closest are use the applesauce and he did change the texture but overall it was absolutely delicious the one thing I noticed I have in the other recipe on my ad next time is I added golden raisins soaked in warm water (then drained ) They plump and they gave it a little bit of a tangy taste to off set sweetness. Another thing I did was I made one pan of cupcakes and then use the remaining batter in my cake pan rectangle can get me the small cake which are then divided into thirds it was a 9 x 12 and stack it with the frosting to bring to a friends house thank you again
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Ahhh! Raisins! I personally love raisins in my carrot cakes but many do not. I’m so glad you added them to this recipe – delicious!
Andrea Braden says
What kind of nuts are traditionally used in carrot cake? I always thought walnuts was the better choice rather then pecans. What do others use in their carrot cake walnuts or pecans? Any help is appreciated. Thank you Andrea
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It’s your preference Andrea! Whichever you like best 🙂
Mandi Whitewing says
Just tasted this yummy cake! I used the applesauce receipt in the 9×13 baking pan. I pieced the cake with a scewer before applying the frosting. The cake was so tasty and moist! I will use this receipt again. Hopefully it will become a family favorite! Thank you for sharing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
So glad you took a chance and made it Mandi! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Martha Lee says
Can you add raisins?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can Martha! Maybe 1/2 cup or 3/4 cup would be perfect. Enjoy!
Linda Leone says
Try golden raisins or currants …. soak in warm water or apple juice to plump
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks Linda!
Judy Hazel says
Carrot Cake to Die For is the best!! It is not my go to recipe when carrot cake is requested for a family member’s birthday cake. I had extra frosting so I put it between graham crackers for snacks.
Thanks for another family favorite!
Dorothy says
1lb powdered sugar is WAY too much- I doubled the frosting recipe and used less than 1 lb
ALSo- I too misread the pineapple amount and used the whole 20oz can
Hopefully it’s still good- smells delicious baking in oven!
Lisa says
I made this cake for my husband’s 65th birthday and It was AMAZING!! I am not much of a baker but this cake was easy and so wonderful! I used the applesauce and baked it in a bundt pan. My bake timing was a little unsure so I started with 35 minutes and just kept adding 8 minute extensions when I would test it for “clean toothpick”. I think I ended up cooking it a total of 55 minutes but was checking it regularly after 35, which of course let heat escape every time I opened the oven. I’m not sure it would need 55 minutes straight through. I did use the icing recipe also with one small change. I realized once I started the icing that I didn’t have any vanilla so I substituted pure Maple Syrup, since there obviously wasn’t already enough “sweet” with just the 1 lb of Confectioners sugar (?). I am planning to make this cake again for our next family get-together! Trish, thank you so much for this recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This just made me smile BIG! I’m so glad you loved it as much as we do Lisa! Have a wonderful weekend!
Glenna Jarvis says
I made this fabulous recipe as written with only an extra teaspoon of cinnamon because I love cinnamon. My guests raved that it was better than any carrot cake they had ever eaten. I used the applesauce for the first time too. The frosting looked so amazing that I doubled the recipe so I could be generous with my three layers. There was some left that I used for another project. Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Wonderful Glenna! Extra cinnamon is always a good idea 🙂 Have a lovely weekend!
Genevieve says
If I don’t put coconut will it affect the cake at all?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
It will. I personally haven’t tried it without but I’ve had lots of readers leave it out and said it was absolutely delicious.
Dona Reed says
I made it without the coconut and it still was awesome, getting ready to make it again tonight for a meeting tomorrow
KC says
Made this a week ago and it was a huge hit. Definitely will make again. It was absolutely delicious and stayed in the fridge and didn’t dry out!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much! It does stay moist forEVER 🙂 Love that!
Buggy says
I made this cake this weekend for a party at my daughters house. It was so delicious! Everyone loved it. I baked it just like the recipe with no changes and it was fabulous!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Couldn’t be happier that you enjoyed it so much! Have a great weekend!
Barbara says
Hi! Cake is in the oven and just realized the recipe said “ I cup crushed pineapple “ and I thought it said “ 1 CAN” !!! Crossing fingers it doesn’t come out soggy And not cake like . What do you think?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
I’m crossing my fingers it’s just extra moist!
Ginger says
Wow! Just wow! I’ve never made a cake from scratch ever and decided to give this a try. It was amazing! I did it with 2 layers ( 9 inch pans) and did half applesauce/half oil and it was so moist and delicious. My whole family inhaled this cake. And with using applesauce we even felt like it was healthy enough for breakfast. Probably will try doing a muffin version of this. Really great, easy recipe for a first timer. Thank you!!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thank you so much Ginger! I really appreciate you stopping by to leave a comment 🙂 Super glad you enjoyed the cake – we just LOVE it!
Khadijah says
Hello. Pls when you say applesauce or oil,can I use vegetable oil?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yes you can use vegetable oil!