This naked carrot cake with cream cheese frosting has all the classic flavors we love in carrot cake with a chunky twist. Nuts and large shreds of carrot abound in this tender cake, and it's all covered in classic cream cheese frosting.

This carrot cake has everything we love in the classic dish and then some. In every bite, you'll be treated to large shreds of carrot and delicious nuts. It all melds perfectly with the cream cheese frosting it's topped with.

Cream Cheese Frosted Naked Carrot Cake

Carrot cake has been one of my favorite desserts for years. I've made it so often, I actually started to get tired of it, believe it or not. That's when I switched to this delicious version with visible pieces of carrots and so many nuts, and I fell in love with it all over again.

Ingredients

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make both the cake and the frosting for it.

Cake Ingredients:

• sugar
• eggs
• milk
• carrots
• walnuts
• water
• baking soda
• vanilla
• flour

Frosting Ingredients:

• cream cheese
• powdered sugar
• vanilla

Instructions

Although this recipe takes a few steps to make, they're all very simple when you break them down.

Cake Directions:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350ºF.

Step 2: Prepare three 8.5” round baking pans by greasing them with butter or cooking spray. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, and milk.

Step 4: Add carrots and nuts. Mix together.

Step 5: Bring water to a boil and stir in baking soda.

Step 6: Pour baking soda mixture into the batter and beat together.

Step 7: Add flour and vanilla. Beat again.

Step 8: Split batter between the three prepared baking pans.

Step 9: Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Step 10: Allow cakes to cool for 10 minutes before gently flipping them out of the pan onto parchment paper.

Step 11: Allow the cake layers to cool completely before assembling the cake. 

Frosting Directions:

Step 1: Place cream cheese and powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl. Beat until smooth.

Step 2: Add vanilla and beat again. 

Assembly Directions:

Step 1: Place one layer of cake on a large plate. Frost with 1/3 of frosting.

Step 2: Place another cake layer on top following by another 1/3 of frosting.

Step 3: Place the final layer of cake on top with the remaining frosting.

Step 4: Gently run your frosting knife around the cake to smooth out any access frosting.

OPTIONAL: Topped with chopped walnuts. 

Equipment

You only need some basic kitchen equipment to make this delicious cake.

• Measuring spoons and cups
• Mixing bowls
• Spoons
• Hand mixer (optional)
• Cake tins
• Spatula
• Grater

Substitutions

Cake Flour: For an even lighter texture, use cake flour instead of all purpose flour.

Almonds: Almonds are a great nut to use in this recipe, as well if you don't like or don't have walnuts.

Options

Looking for ways to change up this cream cheese frosted naked carrot cake? Here are some suggestions.

Cinnamon and Nutmeg: Cinnamon and nutmeg add an earthiness to the recipe that works well with the carrots.

Maple Extract: A touch of maple extract gives this cake an almost imperceptible something that really works.

Tips:

• Mix your batter until it's just combined. Don't overmix it.
• Buying chopped walnuts in a bag will save you a ton of time.
• Always fully soften your cream chees to achieve the best consistency when making your frosting.

More Cake Recipes

• Rhubarb Coffee Cake
• Tie Dye Vanilla Cake Roll
• Homemade Zucchini Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

FAQ

Naked Carrot Cake

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