An incredibly moist cake loaded with carrots, pineapple and pecans, this Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is always a crowd favorite!
It’s a Monday. And you know what that calls for??
Cake.
Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
This is my son Sean’s favorite. Mine too actually.
If you’re a regular follower of the blog you know Sean by now. He’s my oldest son who does not like chocolate.
But serve him up some carrot cake and he’s a happy camper!
I’ve been meaning to share this Easy Carrot Cake for quite a while, so Sean is one click away from his fave since he no longer lives at home.
He’s my brave one in the kitchen and will always attempt anything to satisfy his belly. So I bet he sees this recipe in his inbox this morning, and after work goes straight to the market lickety-split to grab the ingredients!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
I used pecans for this recipe, but it tastes delicious with walnuts too.
You can shred your own carrots or use the pre-shredded carrots in a bag from the market.
Make sure to drain the crush pineapple before adding to the batter.
This Easy Carrot Cake is an incredibly moist cake loaded with shredded carrots, crushed pineapple for some added sweetness, chopped pecans and ground cinnamon to warm things up. It’s topped with a to die for cream cheese frosting that you’ll want to eat straight from the bowl! Guaranteed!
Hope y’all enjoy this one as much as Sean. Have an awesome week!
Easy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp. salt
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 3 cups shredded carrots
- 1 8-oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
- 3/4 cup pecans, chopped
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (one stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon and salt. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients until just combined. Add the carrots, pineapple and 1/2 cup of the pecans stirring to combine,
- Pour into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely on wire rack before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Add cream cheese and butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until well blended. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt. Increase speed to high and continue to beat until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake in an even layer. Sprinkle the frosting with the remaining 1/4 cup pecans.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Now this is the way to start the week!! I can see why it’s your son’s fave! Make no wonder! Love to have a huge chunk right now. Have a wonderful week, my friend! XOXO
Mary Ann
Sean LOVES his carrot cake! He’s big on the added nuts and pineapple.Thanks Dawn! Hope you have a great week too!
Chris Scheuer
I’m always up for a good carrot cake and this looks so moist and delish!
Mary Ann
Me too Chris!! Happy Monday!
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
THIS is how to Monday! Carrot cake is one of my very favorites so I’ll take an extra-large slice please :). Have a great week, Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
Thanks Kelsie!
annie@ciaochowbambina
I will definitely enjoy this beauty as much as Sean does! Carrot cake is one of my all-time favorites as well!
Mary Ann
I know you’d love it Annie! Happy Monday!
Gerlinde
MaryAnn , your carrot cake looks fantastic. Can I have a piece place. The cream cheese frosting puts it over the top. Pinned!
Mary Ann
Always a piece for you Gerlinde! Thanks for pinning!
Marissa
You’re right, Monday IS a great time for cake! And this one is a beauty, Mary Ann. I have to admit my mouth was watering looking at all of your pictures – looks like the perfect texture and that frosting!!
Mary Ann
Thanks Marissa!!
Leanne | Crumb Top Baking
Carrot cake is my absolute weakness Mary Ann! The one dessert I can’t resist, and the cake I request for all my birthdays! Love this one with the added crushed pineapple! Happy Monday!
Mary Ann
Sean and mine also Leanne! Have an awesome week!
Kelly | Foodtasia
This looks heavenly! I love carrot cake!
Mary Ann
Thanks so much Kelly! Me too!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Love carrot cake and this looks perfect! A great way to start my Fall baking :)
Mary Ann
Perfect for fall baking Jennifer! Delicious with a warm cup of tea or coffee!
Laura
I’m not like Sean in that I love love love chocolate. But I am like Sean in that I also love love love Carrot Cake! This one is definitely perfect – easy and with that cream cheese frosting, I may have to double the batch to account for all of the tasting I might just have to do – quality control, of course! Thanks for the recipe!
Mary Ann
Thanks Laura! I know you’d love it!
Sarah Fennel
Oh my goodness this look sooo good!
Mary Ann
Thanks Sarah! Sean gives it the thumbs up!
Kevin
This cake looks so good! This is a great way to sneak in some veggies!
Mary Ann
Thanks Kevin!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary
Goodness me! I can totally see why this is you and Sean’s favorite! I love a good carrot cake as well, so you better believe this is screaming my name! Plus I love how easy it is to prepare! Could be dangerous though, because I kind of want to make this on the regular and not sure my waistline will like that! ;) Pinning! Cheers!
Mary Ann
Thanks Chey!
Matt Robinson
One of my all time favorites taken to a whole new level!
Mary Ann
Sean’s favorite!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Hahahaa… Sean is one click away! That’s great Mary Ann lol! This is one of Rob’s top favorites as well. I think that’s why it’s a classic. It’s been a while since I’ve made one so you’ve given me the kick that I need to change that. Your frosting is perfection! Delicious Mary Ann!
Mary Ann
Such an easy recipe and always a crowd favorite Traci! I’ll be with my mother and Sean for the next few days, so I’ll be making one for sure! Hope you’re week is going great!
Laura | Tutti Dolci
Such a perfect carrot cake, I love the cream cheese frosting!
Mary Ann
So easy Laura and always a favorite!
Lindsay Cotter
This is so easy to make and looks delicious! Such a great fall dessert!
Mary Ann
I love how easy this one is Lindsay!