The Ultimate Carrot Sheet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Satisfy your cravings with this irresistible Carrot Sheet Cake! This cake isn’t just delicious; it’s a visual treat. Imagine a moist cake, infused with warm spices and the subtle sweetness of crushed pineapple, topped with a velvety cream cheese frosting, playful cookie “dirt,” and adorable candy melt “carrots.” Get ready to experience carrot cake perfection!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Carrot Sheet Cake
- How to Make The Best Cream Cheese Frosting
- How to Decorate Like the Photos
- Pro Tips for Recipe Success
- Storing Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- Related Recipes
- Carrot Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Carrots are culinary chameleons. They effortlessly transition from savory to sweet, whether roasted to perfection, adding a vibrant touch to refreshing salads and hearty soups, or transformed into crispy, flavorful fritters. But let’s be honest, carrots truly shine in a cake or in the form of delightful carrot cupcakes!
This particular recipe boasts a generous three cups of shredded carrots, along with a full 8-ounce can of crushed pineapple, ensuring an incredibly moist and tender crumb. I personally adore incorporating chopped pecans for a delightful textural element, although walnuts would be equally delicious. While some might argue for their inclusion, I’m a firm believer that raisins belong solely in chocolate-covered raisin cookies. However, feel free to add them if you’re a fan!
Why You’ll Love This Carrot Sheet Cake
This isn’t just any carrot cake; it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Unbelievably Moist: The combination of carrots, pineapple, and sour cream ensures a tender and moist cake that stays fresh for days.
- Simple to Make: This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prepare the cake and frosting in advance for stress-free entertaining.
- Flavor Explosion: The warming spices, sweet pineapple, and tangy cream cheese frosting create a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
- Perfectly Tangy Frosting: The cream cheese frosting provides the perfect balance of sweetness and tang, complementing the spiced cake beautifully.
Essential Ingredients for Your Carrot Sheet Cake
Let’s gather the ingredients that will transform into this amazing dessert. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need:
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the foundation of our cake. For best results, learn how to accurately measure flour to ensure consistent baking every time.
- Carrots: Freshly grated carrots are key to a moist and flavorful cake. While pre-shredded carrots might seem convenient, they are often too large and dry.
- Sugar: A blend of white granulated sugar and brown sugar adds depth of sweetness and moisture.
- Baking Soda: This leavening agent gives the cake its lift and airy texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm and comforting spice. Feel free to add a pinch to the frosting for an extra layer of flavor!
- Eggs: These bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive batter.
- Butter: I always recommend using unsalted butter for baking. This allows you to precisely control the salt level in your recipe. You’ll need melted butter for the cake and softened butter for the frosting.
- Sour Cream: My secret ingredient for incredibly moist baked goods! It adds a subtle tang and helps to create a tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances both the cake and the frosting with its delicate aroma and flavor.
- Pineapple: Crushed pineapple adds moisture and a touch of tropical sweetness to the cake. Pineapple chunks can also be used, but the texture of the cake will be slightly different.
- Nuts (Optional): Chopped walnuts or pecans add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. If you’re a raisin enthusiast, feel free to add them as well!
- Cream Cheese: For the creamiest frosting, use full-fat block cream cheese and ensure it’s at room temperature.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar. Sifting it before use helps to prevent lumps in your frosting!
And to create the charming decorations:
- Chocolate Wafers: These thin and crispy wafers are perfect for creating chocolate cookie “dirt.” Crushed Oreos or chocolate graham crackers also work beautifully.
- Candy Melts: You’ll need orange and green candy melts to fashion the adorable carrot toppers. These can be found in most baking aisles or online.
Step-by-Step: Baking Your Carrot Sheet Cake
Ready to bake? Follow these simple steps to create your own delicious Carrot Sheet Cake:
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch cake pan generously with cooking spray, then dust with flour to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, grated carrots, white sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. This ensures even distribution of the spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, sour cream, vanilla extract, and crushed pineapple (with its juice). The pineapple juice adds extra moisture and flavor.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gently pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in a tough cake. If you’re using chopped nuts, fold them in now.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and makes it easier to handle.
How to Make the Best Cream Cheese Frosting: Tips for a Velvety Texture
The secret to truly amazing cream cheese frosting lies in the temperature of your ingredients. Ensure your cream cheese and butter reach room temperature before you begin beating them together. This will take approximately an hour on the counter.
Pro Tip: Sift your confectioners’ sugar! This is a crucial step to prevent lumps in your frosting, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
- Cream Cheese and Butter: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room-temperature cream cheese and butter together until light, smooth, and creamy. This may take a few minutes.
- Vanilla Extract: Add the vanilla extract and beat just until it’s evenly incorporated. Don’t overmix at this stage.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: Gradually add the sifted confectioners’ sugar, beating on low speed until it’s fully incorporated. Once all the sugar is added, increase the speed to medium and beat until the frosting is smooth, light, and fluffy.
Decorating Your Carrot Sheet Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now for the fun part! Transform your cake into a work of art with these simple decorating steps:
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will prevent the candy melts from sticking.
- Melt Candy Melts: Melt the orange candy melts and green candy melts in separate bowls according to the package instructions. Be careful not to overheat the candy melts, as they can become scorched and unusable.
- Pipe Candy Carrots: Transfer each melted candy melt color into separate sealable plastic bags or piping bags. Snip off a tiny corner of the bag. Pipe the orange candy melts into the shape of small carrots. Then, pipe small green stems on top of each carrot.
- Set Candy Carrots: Allow the candy melt carrots to set until firm, which usually takes about 10 minutes. You can speed up the process by placing them in the refrigerator.
- Add Oreo Dirt: Sprinkle the crushed chocolate wafers evenly over the top of the frosted cake, creating a “dirt” effect.
- Arrange Candy Carrots: Gently release the candy melt carrots from the parchment paper using an offset spatula. Arrange them artfully on top of the chocolate wafer “dirt”.
Essential Tips for Baking Success
To ensure your Carrot Sheet Cake turns out perfectly every time, keep these pro tips in mind:
- Resist the Urge: Avoid opening the oven door while the cake is baking. Opening the oven releases heat, which can cause the cake to sink or bake unevenly.
- Room Temperature is Key: Using room-temperature cream cheese and butter for the frosting is essential for achieving a silky-smooth texture.
- Whip it Good: Whip the cream cheese frosting well to incorporate air and create a light and fluffy consistency.
Storing Your Carrot Sheet Cake: Keeping it Fresh
Whether frosted or unfrosted, carrot cake stores well in the refrigerator for about a week.
If your cake is unfrosted: Allow the cake to cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen cake overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before frosting.
If your cake is frosted: You can store the whole cake in a cake holder or sliced and sealed in plastic wrap on a plate in the refrigerator.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carrot Cake
There are two easy methods for grating carrots:
- Use a Box Grater: Wash and peel your carrots. Grate them lengthwise using the side of the grater with the smallest holes. Stop grating when it’s unsafe to hold the carrot securely. Discard any large pieces.
- Use a Food Processor: Wash, peel, and dice the carrots into smaller pieces. Pulse the diced carrots until they resemble thin pencil shavings.
Yes! Due to its moisture content and cream cheese frosting, refrigeration is necessary.
This carrot cake will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about a week.
More Delicious Carrot Cake Recipes
- Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pineapple Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Icing
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Carrot Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Kelly Senyei