Description
Salted Caramel Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is a rich, moist, and incredibly flavorful dessert that combines warm spices, tender carrots, silky cream cheese frosting, and buttery salted caramel drizzle in every bite. This easy dessert recipe is perfect for holidays, birthdays, family gatherings, Easter celebrations, or whenever you need impressive dessert ideas that still feel comforting and homemade. The soft carrot cake crumb pairs beautifully with the tangy cream cheese frosting while the salted caramel adds a luxurious sweet-and-salty finish. Whether you are searching for easy cake recipes, homemade dessert ideas, special occasion desserts, or crowd-pleasing baking recipes, this carrot cake delivers bakery-style results with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups freshly grated carrots
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
1 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in a large bowl.
3. Mix the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and applesauce until smooth.
4. Fold the grated carrots and crushed pineapple into the wet mixture.
5. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped pecans or walnuts.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
8. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
10. Beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla extract and salt until smooth.
12. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
13. Melt the sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until golden.
14. Add butter carefully and whisk until melted.
15. Slowly pour in the heavy cream while whisking continuously.
16. Stir in the sea salt and allow the caramel to cool slightly.
17. Drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the frosted cake.
18. Slice and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Freshly grated carrots provide the best moisture and texture, making the cake softer and more flavorful than using packaged shredded carrots.
Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting to prevent the cream cheese frosting from melting or becoming runny.
Let the salted caramel cool slightly before drizzling so it thickens properly and creates a beautiful finish on top of the cake.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 42g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 75mg