Perfect Christmas Carrot Cake — The Spiced Classic Christmas

Carrot cake is the spiced classic that works for Christmas. Moist; warm with spices; topped with cream cheese frosting and walnuts. Done right, it's spectacular.

The classic recipe (2-layer cake)

Ingredients

• 3 cups grated carrots
• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Cream cheese frosting

• 16 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup butter
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F; grease two 9-inch pans
2. Mix oil + sugar + eggs + vanilla
3. Add dry ingredients
4. Fold in carrots + walnuts + raisins
5. Divide between pans
6. Bake 35-40 minutes
7. Cool completely
8. Make frosting; cream until smooth
9. Layer; frost top and sides
10. Garnish with chopped walnuts

Variations

• Add pineapple chunks (Hawaiian style)
• Add coconut flakes
• Skip raisins for those who hate
• Add orange zest for citrus brightness

Cross-references

For perfect Christmas spice cake — adjacent.

For perfect Christmas pumpkin pie — spiced adjacent.

For Christmas desserts — broader.

Perfect Christmas carrot cake is the spiced classic. Moist; warm; cream cheese frosting. The Christmas cake that crosses seasons.