Carrot Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting, Perfect for Christmas

This is a Christmas Carrot Cake recipe that is near and dear to Head Planner Christen Westcott’s heart! It does contain nuts, but it can be made nut-free and is still absolutely delicious. We’ve also included the instructions to make homemade cream cheese frosting. But, in the words of Ina Garten, “store bought is fine, too.”

Christmas Carrot Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting

A carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is the perfect compliment to a Christmas night by the fireplace! This cake pairs really well with a cup of coffee, too. The recipe isn’t too complex, but grating the carrots will take some extra time as well as making the frosting from scratch. However, if you don’t have the time or energy to make your own cream cheese frosting, in the words of Ina Garten, “store bought is fine.” Also, just omit the chopped walnuts for a nut-free version that still tastes wonderful. Warm wishes for a lovely holiday from Look West Events.

Carrot Cake Ingredients

2 cups All-Purpose Flour
2 Cups White Sugar
2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Baking Powder
3 cups Grated Carrots* (4-5 large carrots. You may be tempted to buy the bagged, shredded kind from the store. However, that doesn’t work with this recipe. Must use whole carrots and properly grate!)
1.5 cups Vegetable Oil
4 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 cup Chopped Walnuts

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

1 (8 oz) Package Cream Cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) Softened Butter
1 (1 lb) Package Powdered Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1 cup Chopped Walnuts

Cake Steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Grease and flour two 8″ cake pans
Sift together all dry ingredients (but not the nuts) in a large bowl
In mixer, combine carrots and oil, about 1/3 at a time
Slowly combine dry ingredients into carrots and oil and beat well
Add eggs and vanilla, beat until smooth
Add nuts
Pour batter into cake pans
Bake about 30 minutes or more until knife inserted comes out clean
Place on wire racks and cool completely before frosting

Frosting Steps

In a mixer, cream together the cream cheese, butter and sugar until smooth
Add vanilla extract and nuts until blended
If cakes are completely cooled, frost away!

Food is not about impressing people. It’s about making people feel comfortable. – Ina Garten