🍰 Carrot Walnut Cake
Serves 8–10 | Prep: 15 min | Bake: 35–40 min | Total: ~55 min
🛒 Ingredients
4 large eggs
1½ cups (225g) granulated sugar
1 cup (200ml) milk
1 cup (200ml) vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
2½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
2 packets (20g) baking powder
1 packet (5g) vanilla sugar (or 2 tsp pure vanilla extract)
2 cups (200g) grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
1 cup (100g) chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Optional: ½ tsp nutmeg or pinch of cloves for warmth
🥄 Pro Tip: Squeeze excess moisture from grated carrots for a denser crumb.
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Preheat
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or round springform pan, and line with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
Eggs
Sugar
Milk
Oil
Stir until smooth and slightly frothy (~2 mins).
3️⃣ Add Dry Ingredients
Gradually add:
Flour
Baking powder
Vanilla
Cinnamon (and nutmeg if using)
Mix gently until just combined — don’t overmix!
4️⃣ Fold in Carrots & Walnuts
Stir in grated carrots and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
Batter will be thick — that’s perfect!
5️⃣ Bake to Golden Perfection
Pour into prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Cool completely before slicing.
6️⃣ Optional Cream Cheese Frosting (Because Why Not?)
Beat together:
8 oz (225g) softened cream cheese
½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp milk
Spread over cooled cake.
🍽️ Serving Ideas:
With coffee or chai
As a dessert after dinner
Sliced into squares for lunchboxes
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌱 Gluten-Free? Use 1:1 GF flour blend — works beautifully
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Store at room temp 3 days, refrigerate up to 5, or freeze unfrosted cake for 3 months
❄️ Freeze It! Wrap tightly — thaw overnight, frost when ready
🍯 Lighter Version: Replace half the sugar with maple syrup or honey
🥄 No Nuts? Swap walnuts for pecans or omit entirely
🧁 Mini Muffins: Bake at 350°F for 18–22 mins — great for portion control
🧠 Why This Works So Well
Oil-based batter = moistness that lasts for days
Grated carrots add sweetness, color, and soft texture
Toasting walnuts deepens their flavor 10x
Spices enhance warmth without overpowering
It’s not magic — it’s smart baking. ✨
❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, the Best Things Are Simple & Sweet
You don’t need a long ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to make something truly special.
Just good carrots, real spices, and a little love.
This Carrot Walnut Cake proves that the most memorable desserts are often the simplest — where every bite tastes like home, comfort, and care.
So next time you want to bake something beautiful…
Grab that grater.
Whip up this easy recipe.
And let your kitchen fill with the scent of cinnamon and joy.
Because sometimes, happiness comes in cake form. 💛