Name: Carrot Bundt Cake
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: PT-487846H56M43S
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cake flour; 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder; 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; 1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar; ¼ cup salted butter, room temperature; 1 ½ cups vegetable oil; 3 large eggs; 2 large egg yolks; 1 tablespoon white vinegar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 3 ½ cups grated fresh carrots; 4 ounces cream cheese, softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; ½ teaspoon vanilla extract; Chopped pecans for garnish

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

With warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, this cake is rich in autumnal flavors. The cream cheese glaze adds a creamy sweetness that perfectly balances the lightly spiced cake. Easy to assemble and baked in a Bundt pan for a beautiful presentation, this carrot cake is a centerpiece dessert that’s both impressive and delicious.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

2 cups cake flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1 ⅓ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup salted butter, room temperature
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
3 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon white vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 ½ cups grated fresh carrots

For the Glaze:

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Chopped pecans for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 10–12 cup Bundt pan.
In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, and cloves.
In another bowl, cream together granulated sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vegetable oil and mix until smooth.
Beat in eggs and egg yolks, one at a time, then stir in vinegar and vanilla extract.
Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in grated carrots.
Pour batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the glaze, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake and sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Servings and Timing

Makes about 12–14 servings
Prep time: 25 minutes
Bake time: 50–60 minutes
Cooling and glazing: 20 minutes
Total time: about 1 hour 35 minutes

Variations

Pineapple Twist: Add ½ cup crushed pineapple for extra moisture and sweetness.
Coconut Carrot Cake: Fold in ½ cup shredded coconut to the batter.
Spice Adjustment: Increase or decrease spices to taste.
Gluten-Free: Substitute cake flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
Chocolate Drizzle: Drizzle melted white or dark chocolate over the cream cheese glaze.

Storage/Reheating

Store cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The cake can also be frozen, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and foil, for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

FAQs

Can I make cupcakes instead of a Bundt cake?

Yes, divide the batter into a cupcake pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, adjusting for size.

Can I prepare the glaze ahead of time?

Yes, make the glaze and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature and stir before using.

Can I use shredded carrot from a bag?

Yes, just make sure to squeeze out excess moisture to avoid a soggy cake.

Is this cake very sweet?

It has a balanced sweetness from sugar and glaze; adjust powdered sugar in the glaze if you prefer less sweetness.

Can I use a different nut for garnish?

Yes, walnuts or almonds work well instead of pecans.

Conclusion

Carrot Bundt Cake is a moist, spiced, and visually stunning dessert that combines the classic flavors of carrot cake with a creamy glaze and crunchy nuts. Perfect for holidays, celebrations, or simply a cozy afternoon treat, this cake is sure to impress both in flavor and presentation.