Chocolate Carrot Cake

Total Time Prep: 35 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
Yield 16 servings
Contest Winner
Test Kitchen Approved
Finely shredding the carrots gives this cake an extra-nice texture. The walnuts sprinkled on top add crunch, but you can leave them off if you prefer. —Pamela Brown, Williamsburg, Michigan

Ingredients

  • 3 cups finely shredded carrots
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1-1/4 cups canola oil
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • FROSTING:
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Line two 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease the paper and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the carrots, sugar, oil and eggs until well blended. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into carrot mixture until blended.
  2. Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, cocoa and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; top with half of the frosting. Repeat with remaining cake layer. Sprinkle with nuts and chocolate chips.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 578 calories, 31g fat (10g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 276mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (54g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.

Finely shredding the carrots gives this cake an extra-nice texture. The walnuts sprinkled on top add crunch, but you can leave them off if you prefer. —Pamela Brown, Williamsburg, Michigan
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC