# Carrot Cake Recipe
Canonical URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/recipes/carrot-cake
Publication state: published
Updated: 2026-08-02
Primary keyword: carrot cake recipe
A practical, source-aware recipe for carrot cake, with the history kept close to the method.
## Timing and Yield
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 30 minutes
- Total: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12  Servings
## Ingredients
- Nonstick vegetable oil spray
- ½ cup (75 g) golden raisins (optional)
- 3 Tbsp. dark rum (optional)
- 1 cup (113 g) chopped walnuts
- 1 lb. carrots, peeled, coarsely grated
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp. ground ginger
- ½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt
- ¾ tsp. baking soda
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (packed; 150 g) dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 12 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ¾ cup (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- Generous pinch of kosher salt
- 4 cups (454 g) powdered sugar
- Candied Carrot Coins (optional)
## Method
1. Cake: Cake
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/carrot-cake-step-1.webp
   Image description: Step 1: Cake for Carrot Cake.
2. Cream cheese frosting and assembly: Cream cheese frosting and assembly
   Step image: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/steps/carrot-cake-step-2.webp
   Image description: Step 2: Cream cheese frosting and assembly for Carrot Cake.
## Storage
Cool completely, cover, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat only when the texture benefits from it.
## History Context
This dessert builds on the history of the fascinating history of carrot, linking the dish to carrot’s longer story in food culture.
## Primary Image
- URL: https://thefoodthatshapedus.com/images/recipes/variants/carrot-cake/carrot-cake-og.webp
- Description: Carrot Cake. Photo: Mack Male from Edmonton, AB, Canada / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0).
- Status: editorial-placeholder
## Sources
1. Original Carrot Cake recipe. Bon Appétit. https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/bas-best-carrot-cake