🥕 Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups grated carrots
• ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional for extra moisture)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the Cream Cheese Frosting

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Mix dry ingredients
   In a bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. Prepare wet ingredients
   In another bowl beat granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Combine mixtures
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Fold in grated carrots, pineapple, and nuts.
5. Bake
   Divide batter between pans and bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Cool completely
   Let cakes cool fully before frosting.
7. Make frosting
   Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
8. Assemble cake
   Spread frosting between layers and over the top and sides.

✨ Tip: For extra flavor, sprinkle toasted pecans or shredded coconut on top of the frosting!