The Ultimate Barefoot Contessa Carrot Cake Recipe You’ll Love

Carrot cake brings comfort and nostalgia to dessert lovers everywhere.

This irresistible treat transforms humble vegetables into a remarkable sweet indulgence.

Rich with warmth and complexity, the cake blends earthy root vegetable notes with delicate spices.

Tender crumbs incorporate shredded vegetables, creating a surprisingly moist and delectable texture.

Walnuts add delightful crunch and depth, elevating the cake’s overall sensory experience.

Creamy frosting provides a luxurious counterpoint to the cake’s rustic charm.

Insider Tips for Carrot Cake

• Grate with Care: Use the large holes of a box grater for perfectly textured carrot shreds that distribute evenly throughout the cake batter.
• Moisture Magic: Pat freshly grated carrots with paper towels to remove excess liquid, preventing a soggy cake while maintaining natural sweetness.
• Spice It Right: Toast your ground cinnamon and nutmeg briefly in a dry pan to intensify their warm, aromatic flavors before adding to the mix.
• Nut Preparation Trick: Lightly toast chopped walnuts or pecans before folding into the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and add delightful crunch.
• Frosting Flow: Let cream cheese frosting sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before spreading to achieve a silky, smooth consistency that glides effortlessly across the cake.

Keep Carrot Cake Fresh

• Airtight Container Method: Shield your carrot cake's moisture and flavor by storing it in a robust, sealed container lined with paper towels. These towels absorb excess moisture, preventing sogginess and maintaining the cake's delightful texture.
• Layered Wrapping Method: Create a fortress of protection by first draping plastic wrap directly against the cake's cut surfaces, then enveloping the entire cake in aluminum foil. This double-barrier technique locks in freshness and prevents freezer burn during extended storage.
• Room Temperature Strategy: For short-term enjoyment, keep unfrosted cake layers at room temperature on a cake stand with a dome cover. Cool, dry environments preserve the cake's softness for up to two days, making it perfect for quick snacking or surprise guests.

Innovative Twists on Carrot Cake

• Tropical Carrot Delight: Replace walnuts with toasted macadamia nuts, add shredded coconut to the batter, and incorporate crushed pineapple for a Hawaiian-inspired version with a tangy, sweet profile.
• Spiced Autumn Carrot Cake: Enhance the spice blend by adding ground nutmeg and cardamom, include dried cranberries instead of raisins, and top with a maple cream cheese frosting for a cozy seasonal feel.
• Gluten-Free Carrot Alternative: Substitute regular flour with almond flour and gluten-free flour blend, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and add extra cinnamon to boost flavor complexity for those with dietary restrictions.
• Chocolate Marble Carrot Cake: Swirl melted dark chocolate into half the batter before folding in carrots, create a chocolate cream cheese frosting, and garnish with chocolate shavings for a decadent chocolate-carrot combination.

Closing Reflections on Carrot Cake

Sweet aromas of cinnamon and ginger weave magic through this classic carrot cake masterpiece.

Barefoot Contessa’s recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert celebration.

Layers of moist cake embrace rich mascarpone frosting with delightful complexity.

Crystallised ginger adds unexpected warmth and sophistication to each delectable slice.

Home bakers will discover pure comfort in this culinary dish that balances rustic charm with elegant technique.

Drop a comment below, share this recipe with cherished friends, and spread sweet happiness through your kitchen adventures!

Fall for Classic Carrot Cake

• Craft a Flavor Symphony: This carrot cake delivers a harmonious blend of sweet, warm spices with hints of cinnamon, complemented by the natural sweetness of carrots and the rich crunch of walnuts and crystallised ginger.
• Texture Wonderland: Experience a delightful contrast between the moist, tender cake layers and the creamy, smooth mascarpone-cream cheese frosting, creating a luxurious mouthfeel that keeps you coming back for more.
• Stress-Free Baking Adventure: With straightforward steps and basic kitchen tools like a stand mixer, this recipe empowers both novice and experienced bakers to create a professional-looking dessert without complicated techniques or rare ingredients.

Core Picks for Carrot Cake

• Sugar, Vegetable Oil: Sweet base that keeps the cake moist and tender.
• Eggs: Provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, rich flavor to enhance overall taste.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates the cake's foundational structure and texture.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and classic carrot cake flavor.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances other flavors.

• Grated Carrots: Provides moisture, natural sweetness, and classic carrot cake character.
• Raisins, Walnuts: Adds texture, crunch, and additional layers of flavor.
• Crystallised Ginger: Brings a spicy, sweet kick to the frosting.

• Mascarpone, Cream Cheese: Creamy base for smooth, rich frosting.
• Icing Sugar: Sweetens and helps stabilize the frosting.
• Double Cream: Adds richness and helps create a light, fluffy texture.

Step-by-Step for Carrot Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottom with parchment paper. Dust pans with flour, tapping out excess.

Step 2: Create Wet Mixture

• Sugar
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs

Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until mixture turns light yellow and becomes creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 3: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking soda
• Salt

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture on low speed until just combined.

Step 4: Add Delicious Mix-Ins

• Freshly grated carrots
• Raisins
• Chopped walnuts
• Extra flour

Fold carefully into cake batter using rubber spatula.

Step 5: Bake Cake Layers

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Smooth cake tops. Bake initially at 400°F for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F. Continue baking 30-35 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Step 6: Cool Cake Layers

Allow cakes to rest in pans for 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

Step 7: Whip Creamy Frosting

• Mascarpone cheese
• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Heavy cream
• Vanilla extract

Beat until light and fluffy. Add crystallized ginger and salt, mixing briefly.

Step 8: Assemble Spectacular Cake

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread half frosting evenly. Position second layer on top. Frost top surface. Sprinkle with extra crystallized ginger.

Step 9: Serve And Store

Serve at room temperature. Refrigerate in sealed container up to 3 days. Allow cake to sit at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.

Barefoot Contessa Carrot Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic carrot cake delivers pure comfort with cream cheese frosting and warm spices. Moist layers packed with carrots, nuts, and a hint of cinnamon create an irresistible dessert you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Wet Ingredients:

• 315 milliliters (1 ⅓ cups) vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons double cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:

• 400 grams (2 cups) caster sugar
• 250 grams + 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
• 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 200 grams (1 ⅔ cups) sifted icing sugar

Mix-Ins:

• 450 grams (1 pound) carrots, grated
• 150 grams (1 cup) raisins
• 100 grams (1 cup) chopped walnuts
• 340 grams (12 ounces) mascarpone cheese, at room temperature
• 115 grams (4 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons minced crystallised ginger
• Extra crystallised ginger, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 200°C/180°C fan (400°F). Meticulously grease two 23-centimeter (9-inch) round cake pans, line their bottoms with parchment paper, then re-grease and dust with flour to ensure easy cake removal.
2. Create a smooth batter by combining sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs in a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Whip at medium-high speed for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture transforms into a light yellow, thick consistency. Incorporate vanilla extract for additional depth of flavor.
3. Sift the dry ingredients separately: blend 250 grams of all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda, and salt. Gradually integrate the dry mixture into the wet ingredients using low-speed mixing, ensuring thorough but gentle incorporation.
4. Prepare the mix-ins by tossing grated carrots, raisins, walnuts, and the remaining tablespoon of flour in a separate bowl. Delicately fold these ingredients into the batter using a rubber spatula to maintain the mixture’s airy texture.
5. Distribute the batter evenly between prepared cake pans, smoothing the surfaces. Initially bake at 200°C (400°F), then reduce temperature to 180°C/160°C fan (350°F) after 10 minutes. Continue baking for 30-35 minutes until a inserted skewer emerges clean.
6. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack. Ensure complete cooling before frosting to prevent melting.
7. Craft the frosting by blending mascarpone, cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla in a stand mixer. Whip for one minute until light and fluffy. Introduce crystallised ginger and salt, mixing for an additional 30 seconds.
8. Assemble the cake by positioning the first layer on a serving plate with the rounded side facing downward. Spread half the frosting evenly across the surface. Carefully place the second cake layer, rounded side up, and frost the top. Garnish with additional crystallised ginger.
9. For optimal enjoyment, serve at room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days, allowing the cake to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its soft texture.

Notes

• Slice cooled carrots finely for an even texture that melts in your mouth with each delightful bite.
• Blend ingredients gently to maintain the cake’s soft, tender crumb without developing tough gluten strands.
• Sprinkle extra spices like nutmeg or cinnamon for a deeper, more complex flavor profile that surprises taste buds.
• Opt for fresh, organic carrots to boost natural sweetness and nutritional value of your homemade dessert.
• Test cake doneness by inserting a clean toothpick near the center, which should emerge with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 55g
• Sodium: 400mg
• Fat: 35g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Carbohydrates: 75g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 80mg*