Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

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Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (1)Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie’s Cream Cheese Frosting

No joke! This Carrot Cake Recipe is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Seriously, so delicious. It’s a must for your Easter Menu this year or for breakfast tomorrow or for lunch tomorrow or for…..well, you get the picture…just make it soon.

My friend, Callie, made a delicious Carrot Cake for Christmas Dinner this year. It was full of all kinds of good things like coconut, walnuts, pineapple, carrots, and raisins.

I had never had a carrot cake quite like it and couldn’t stop thinking about it over the following weeks…Okay, months……When I eat something delicious, I just can’t get it out of my head. (Don’t get me started about the chocolate rice crispy I had 16 years ago at Disney World.)

I messaged Callie to get the recipe, which she is going to send me. In the meantime, I was invited to dinner somewhere and wanted to make a carrot cake. I already knew how to make Callie’s Awesome Cream Cheese Frosting, but I didn’t have the recipe for the cake yet.Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (2)

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I improvised by searching the web for recipes that looked similar and then made some minor adjustments. The results are pretty darn fantastic. I foundSam’s Famous Carrot Cake and used it as a starting point.

Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe is fantastic! Just wait until you taste the frosting….this ain’t your mama’s cream cheese frosting…

how to make out of this world carrot cake

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch circle cake pans. Line cake pans with pre-cut parchment paper circles (see photo below) or cut wax paper into two 9-inch circles and line the pans.
  • Next, make sour milk. Put 1 tsp lemon juice in a measuring cup. Then, fill to 3/4 cup with milk. Let sit for 3-5 minutes.
  • In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and milk. Mix well.
  • Add vanilla and mix until combined.
  • Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined.
  • Next, fold in the carrots, nuts, coconut, pineapple, and raisins (optional) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Pour half of the batter into each cake pan.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake.
  • Let cool completely before frosting.

I just found pre-cut parchment circles on Amazon, and I’m pretty sure they could be life-changing. I have always cut my own, and it’s ANNOYING! (You can order 8″ or 9″.)
Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (3)

how to frost out of this world carrot cake

  • First, make Callie’s Cream Cheese Frosting.
  • Next, make a crumb layer by frosting a tiny amount on the first layer. (See photo below.)
  • Place second cake layer on top and frost a small amount over the whole cake. (See photo below.)
  • Then, place the cake in the refrigerator or freezer for about 20 minutes or until frosting is set.
  • Take the cake out of the fridge/freezer and use remaining frosting to cover the whole cake.
  • If desired, sprinkle a few nuts on top in the center of the cake and place nuts around the bottom edge of the cake.

Crumb Layer

Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (4)

Finished Cake

Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (5)

Tips for making Out of this World Carrot Cake with Callie’s Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Finely shred the carrots. If the carrot pieces are bigger than that, they will still be a little crunchy even after cooking.
  • Don’t drain the juice out of the crushed pineapple. You want all that moisture in the cake.
  • If you have buttermilk, you can use that instead of the sour milk.
  • Use pre-cut parchment circles to line the greased and floured pans. The cakes will easily come out of the pans.
  • When frosting the cake, first make a crumb layer. Making a crumb layer will keep little bits of the cake from getting in the final layer of the frosting. See instructions and photos above for frosting the cake. Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (6)

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4.8 from 47 reviews

Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Icing

Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (10)

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A moist and delicious carrot cake chuck full of flavor and texture, topped with the best cream cheese frosting you will ever have.

Author: Maria: Inspired by Callie's and Sam's Famous Carrot Cake

Recipe type: Cake

Cuisine: Dessert

Serves: 16

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups white sugar
  • ½ cup oil
  • 3 eggs
  • ¾ cup sour milk (milk + lemon juice)
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour OR 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2½ tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 cup carrots, finely shredded
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
  • 1 cup shredded coconut
  • ½ cup walnuts, plus more for garnish on frosted cake, if desired
  • 1 cup raisins (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch circle cake pans. Line cake pans with pre-cut parchment paper circles (see photo in post) or cut wax paper into two 9-inch circles and line the pans.
  2. Next, make sour milk. Put 1 tsp lemon juice in a measuring cup. Then, fill to ¾ cup with milk. Let sit for 3-5 minutes.
  3. In a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and milk. Mix well.
  4. Add vanilla and mix until combined.
  5. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined.
  6. Next, fold in the carrots, nuts, coconut, pineapple, and raisins (optional) until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Pour half of the batter into each cake pan.
  8. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the cake.
  9. Let cool completely before frosting.

4.8 from 47 reviews

Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting

Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (11)

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Author: Callie

Recipe type: Frosting

Ingredients

  • 2 (8oz) packages of cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mixer and beat until smooth.
  2. Next, frost the cake.
  3. First, make a crumb layer by frosting a tiny amount on the first layer.
  4. Place second cake layer on top and frost, again, a small amount over the whole cake. See picture above.
  5. Place the cake in the refrigerator or freezer for about 20 minutes or until frosting is set.
  6. Then, take the cake out and use remaining frosting to cover the whole cake.
  7. If desired, sprinkle nuts on top of the cake and bottom edge. See picture above.

Don’t forget to pin this awesome recipe onto your favorite pinterest Board!

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Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

FAQs

Do carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? ›

In short, yes, cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated. This food safety rule applies to both cream cheese frosting in a bowl and any baked good that might have cream cheese frosting, such as a red velvet cupcake or a carrot cake bundt cake.

How long does carrot cake with cream cheese frosting last? ›

Refrigerator: If you have cream cheese frosting on your homemade carrot cake, it's best to refrigerate it. A carrot cake with cream cheese frosting can last in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container or cover it with plastic wrap to maintain its quality.

Why not use butter in carrot cake? ›

Is it better to use butter oil in carrot cake? Normally I'm all about the butter, baby. But when it comes to homemade cakes, oil is typically the better choice. Vegetable oil produces a more moist, tender cake than butter.

Should I refrigerate carrot cake before frosting? ›

Cream cheese frosting and carrot cake are a little unruly when they're warm, so the fridge is your friend. The cake itself is much easier to frost and slice when it's been refrigerated — the soft, moist crumb contracts when it's chilled and doesn't tear or fall apart as easily.

Should I refrigerate cream cheese frosting before piping? ›

Cream cheese frosting will hold its decorative piped shape if you refrigerate it prior to piping. Fit your piping bag with a piping tip, fill your bag with the frosting, then refrigerate it for 20-30 minutes before piping. However, don't expect it to be as sturdy as buttercream.

Should carrot cake be served cold or room temperature? ›

Because carrot cake is made with cream cheese frosting, I would store it in the refrigerator. It can be served cold, slightly chilled or at room temperature but I prefer slightly chilled.

Can you leave carrot cake with cream cheese frosting out overnight? ›

How Long Can Cream Cheese Frosting Sit Out? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advises refrigerating any food made with cream cheese after 2 hours (that includes time spent making the food). The same typically goes for frostings made with other perishable foods such as.

Are walnuts or pecans better in carrot cake? ›

Chopped nuts: You don't have to add nuts to your carrot cake, but we think the best versions do. Pecans are the Southern choice, but walnuts are delicious, too. Whichever you use, make sure to toast the nuts before adding them into the batter to maximize their flavor.

Does carrot cake need to be refrigerated overnight? ›

Even when the cake is baked, bacteria can still grow, so everything still needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage and foodborne illness. Carrot cake and frosting are also easier to tame when they're cold, so unless it's time to serve up some slices, keep your cake in the fridge.

Why do carrots turn black in carrot cake? ›

Carrots contain pigments that are sensitive to changes in pH balance. When the shreds of carrot come into contact with the alkaline baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place that causes the pigments to change color.

Why does my carrot cake fall apart when I cut it? ›

Yes, the carrots, but also typical extras like raisins, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut, which enhance the flavor and texture of the final result, add to the problem of cleanly lopping off a piece. For example, raisins create uneven pockets of moisture within the cake, causing slices to crumble more easily.

Why does my carrot cake not taste like carrot? ›

The key to getting an intense carrot flavor in my cake is using two types of carrots: a caramelized carrot puree and finely shredded carrots. Roasted and pureed carrots make this cake intensely carrot flavored. Carrots are a natural source of sugar, and roasting them at a high temperature caramelizes the sugars within.

How do you store carrot cake with cream cheese frosting? ›

Storing an iced carrot cake – If your carrot cake has been iced and decorated with cream cheese frosting, store it in the refrigerator. If left at room temperature, your cream cheese frosting will melt and fall off the cake. If your cake is uncut, it can be stored in the refrigerator, uncovered, for about a week.

How long should carrot cake cool before frosting? ›

We all know cake is a delicate thing, and even if you let it cool completely to room temperature before frosting, it's still tender and fragile. Instead of simply trying to frost it at room temperature, wrap the layers in plastic and put them in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours or even overnight.

How do you keep carrot cake moist overnight? ›

Double-wrap unfrosted cake layers to make them airtight.

Bundle each layer in one or more sheets of plastic wrap, then seal the wrapped layers inside large plastic zipper bags individually. By doing so, you'll be keeping the freshly-baked cake off-limits to air and moisture.

Do carrot cake cupcakes need to be refrigerated? ›

It's best to store the cupcakes in an air-tight container in the fridge, but remove them for a few hours before serving. It's also best to frost right before serving. If the frosted cupcakes are refrigerated, it's fine--just let them sit out at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.

How long can you leave out cupcakes with cream cheese frosting? ›

While the addition of butter and powdered sugar does help to stabilize it, cream cheese frosting should only be left out at room temperature for two hours before it needs to be put in the fridge.

Do carrot cupcakes need to be refrigerated? ›

Carrot Cake Cupcakes are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. They're best served slightly chilled or at room temperature. If you want to store them for longer, place them in an airtight container, place the container in a freezer bag, and squeeze out all the excess air.

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