Carrot Cake Sheet Cake - the best Carrot Sheet Cake recipe on the internet! (2024)

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Carrot Sheet Cake – the perfect EASY Carrot Cake Recipe!

Don’t have time for a layer cake? This Carrot Sheet Cake is where it’s at! The perfect dessert for your Easter dinner or spring celebration, this easy carrot cake recipe is amazing!

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Carrot Cake Sheet Cake is one of the best desserts for your spring or Easter dinner celebration. Forget the fuss of making a layer cake! This easy carrot cake recipe has all the amazing flavors of a layer cake without the fuss.

With a delicious layer of cream cheese frosting, this moist carrot sheet cake is not only easy to make, but completely delicious. As a traditional Easter dessert, this sheet cake recipe will be the star of your dessert table!

Like this recipe? Be sure to pin it to your CAKE board on Pinterest!

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How do I make carrot cake?

In this post I’ve included the simple steps for making this easy carrot cake recipe. Here’s a quick summary of the steps you’ll take to make this easy carrot cake recipe:

  1. Start by mixing the dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Set aside.
  2. In another bowl, mix together the wet ingredients, then gradually add the dry ingredients, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
  3. Fold in the grated carrots.
  4. Pour the batter into a prepared sheet pan and bake.
  5. Once the cake is done baking, let cool to room temperature.
  6. While the cake cools, mix the cream cheese frosting. Frost over the cooled cake.

What do I need to make a carrot cake?

Here’s a quick reference ingredient check list of the items you’ll need:

  • All purpose flour
  • Granulated sugar
  • Baking powder
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Baking soda
  • Grated carrots
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions please reference the recipe at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

Mixing the carrot cake batter

Like other sheet cake recipes, this carrot sheet cake recipe starts by mixing dry and wet ingredients separately. Using a whisk, combine the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda.

For the wet ingredients, combine the eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Lastly, fold in the grated carrots. The batter will be slightly thick.

This is also a good time to preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredient Recommendations and Substitutions

  • Flour: If you’re looking to make this cake gluten free, King Arthur makes a great gluten-free flour that does well in this recipe.
  • Sugar and Oil: To make this carrot cake a little healthier, you can substitute the sugar for Granular Monk Fruit Sweetener and instead of vegetable oil, I recommend using unflavored coconut oil.
  • Additional Mix In’s and Toppings: Many people enjoy raisins, shredded coconut, crushed pineapple and/or chopped pecans in their carrot cake. These will add sweetness, and create a more dense cake.

Baking the carrot cake

Pour the prepared batter into your pan. For this sheet cake recipe you’ll use a 15 x 10 x 1 jelly roll sheet pan. If your pan is not non-stick be sure to spray it with non stick baking spray.

Bake the sheet cake at 350 degrees for 30-32 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean and crumb-free the cake is done.

Carrot Cake Sheet Cake - the best Carrot Sheet Cake recipe on the internet! (5)

What type of frosting is traditional for carrot cake?

Cream cheese frosting is traditional for carrot cake. Be sure to check out my tutorial for How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting. Here’s what you’ll need to mix up your cream cheese frosting:

  • Stick of butter (room temperature)
  • Package of cream cheese (room temperature)
  • Vanilla extract
  • Powdered Sugar

Exact ingredient amounts are listed below in the recipe.

Let the Carrot Cake Cool and Mix the Frosting

Once the carrot cake comes out of the oven, let it cool to room temperature. While the cake cools, you can then mix together the frosting.

Once your cake is cool to the touch, you can then spread the frosting on to the Carrot Cake. Using a spatula or frosting knife, evenly spread the frosting over the cake.

If you love this carrot cake, check out my Healthy Carrot Cake Loaf and my Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins that have really similar flavor flavors and toppings.

Can carrot cake be made in advance?

Yes. Carrot cake sheet cake can be made in advance. Once the cake has been frosted it can be refrigerated.

If you’re making this carrot sheet cake for an event or a dinner later in the day, it is best to refrigerate it. The cream cheese frosting will harden slightly. About thirty minutes before serving, let the cake come to room temperature for the frosting to soften.

Frequently Asked Questions about making Carrot Cake:

What size pan do I use for a sheet cake?

A traditional pan for a sheet cake is 15 x 10 x 1″, jelly roll sheet pan.

Do raisins belong in carrot cake?

This is a matter of personal preference, as many people enjoy raisins in carrot cake. However, it is not traditional to add raisins.

How do I make a moist cake?

First, make sure you are not over-baking your cake, as this often leads to a dry cake. Follow recipe temperature and bake times accordingly. Next, instead of butter, use vegetable or coconut oil to keep your cake moist. Lastly, try not to overmix your batter.

What is the difference between grated and shredded carrots?

Shredded carrots (like cheese) tend to be strands of carrots. Grated carrots are much smaller and finer carrot pieces. Grated carrots are best for baking.

Can you use pre shredded carrots for carrot cake?

Not necessarily. Using pre shredded carrots for carrot cake can be a great time saver, however, you will need to do one extra step. Using your food processor or blender, pulse the shredded carrots a few times to break up the strands into smaller, finer pieces. Strands of carrots (shreds) are typically too long and big for baking.

If you loved this delicious cake recipe, then check out some of my other cake recipes:

  • Carrot Bundt Cake
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
  • Red Velvet Cake Parfaits
  • Buttermilk Chocolate Cake
  • Red Velvet Sheet Cake
  • Zucchini Sheet Cake
  • Chocolate Poke Cake
  • Very Cherry Cupcakes
  • Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Buttermilk Sheet Cake with Chocolate Fudge Frosting
  • Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Pumpkin Caramel Cream Cheese Poke Cake
  • Strawberries and Cream Poke Cake at Real Housemoms

Here’s the recipe for my delicious Carrot Sheet Cake:

Carrot Cake Sheet Cake - the best Carrot Sheet Cake recipe on the internet! (9)

Carrot Cake Sheet Cake

Erin Indahl-Fink

Don’t have time for a layer cake? This Carrot Sheet Cake is where it’s at! The perfect dessert for your Easter dinner or spring celebration, this Carrot Cake Sheet Cake with Cream Cheese frosting is amazing!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 20 servings

Calories 344 kcal

Equipment

  • Stand Mixer I use and love my KitchenAid stand mixer for making cakes!

  • 15 x 10 Sheet Pan This 15 x 10" Sheet Pan is the perfect size for sheet cakes!

Ingredients

Cream Cheese Frosting:

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 15x10x1″ jelly roll sheet pan with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Set aside.

  • With a hand or stand mixer, combine the oil, eggs, vanilla and shredded carrots.

  • With the mixer running, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber scraper.

  • Pour the batter into the sheet pan, and smooth out evenly with a spatula. Bake the cake at 350 for 30-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and crumb-free. Remove cake from oven and let cool to room temperature.

  • For the frosting: With a hand or stand mixer, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the vanilla and incorporate well. Gradually begin adding the powdered sugar one cup at a time, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

  • Spread the frosting evenly over the top of the cooled sheet cake.

  • Optional topping: Clover Valley Chopped Pecans

Notes

Storage: The cake will keep at room temperature but will only last a day. For best results, store covered or in a resealable container in the refrigerator. Cake will keep for up to 5 days refrigerated.

Freezing: The cake can be frozen. For best results, wrap slices individually using press-and-seal wrap and store in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. To defrost, leave cake slices out at room temperature, or let defrost in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Frosting: Be sure to reference my post for How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting for the best techniques and pro tips.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 344kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 2gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 178mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 190IUVitamin C: 0.004mgCalcium: 33mgIron: 1mg

Keyword carrot cake recipe, carrot sheet cake, carrot cake sheet cake

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

This post was created in partnership with Dollar General. All photos, opinions and recipe are 100% my own.

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  • Carrot Bundt Cake
  • Healthy Carrot Cake Loaf
  • Healthy Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
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Carrot Cake Sheet Cake - the best Carrot Sheet Cake recipe on the internet! (2024)

FAQs

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.

Is carrot cake healthier than regular cake? ›

Carrot cake isn't really any less healthy than a white cake or a chocolate cake. Arguably, it's slightly more healthy because of the addition of carrots and sometimes pineapple. However, it does contain a cup of oil and two cups of sugar, and that's just in the cake.

Why is my carrot cake dense and heavy? ›

Your cake is too dense A cake that is overly dense typically has too much liquid, too much sugar or too little leavening (not excess flour, as is commonly thought).

Why is butter not used in carrot cake? ›

Oil-Based Cakes: Carrot cake recipes often use vegetable oil (e.g., canola or sunflower oil) instead of butter as the primary fat. Oil-based cakes tend to be moister and have a softer, more tender crumb. The mild flavor of vegetable oil also allows the carrot and spice flavors to shine through.

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.

What causes a carrot cake to be dry? ›

If you have too much flour in a recipe and not enough fat, like butter or oil, your cake is going to be dry and hard. For best results, I would encourage you to use a scale when baking, but if you don't have a scale, then just make sure you're using measuring cups correctly.

What is the healthiest cake in the world? ›

What Type of Cake is Healthy?
  1. Angel Food Cake. Angel food cake is healthy because It does not contain egg yolk and butter. ...
  2. 2 . Flourless Chocolate Cake. ...
  3. 3 . Protein Mug Cake. ...
  4. 4 . Homemade Strawberry Shortcake. ...
  5. 5 . Sugar-Free Carrot and Date Cake. ...
  6. 6 . Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. ...
  7. 7 . Cheesecake. ...
  8. 8 . Red Velvet Cake.

Does carrot cake raise blood sugar? ›

It showed that patients who increased their daily sugar intake (in the form of carrot cake) but maintained a stable body weight, showed no adverse changes in their blood glucose.

Is white or black carrot cake healthier? ›

A Health Breakfast to Start The Day Right

If you hunger for a plate of fragrant carrot cake or chye tau kueh, choose the plain white carrot cake (402 Calories) over the black, (556 Calories); it's just as delicious, but over 100 Calories lighter.

Why does my carrot cake taste bland? ›

However, if you find your carrot cake to be a little too bland, the first solution should be to up the number of spices you're using or try a little more of a neutral-flavored ingredient like white sugar that will bring out the taste of carrots instead of overpowering them.

Can I freeze grated carrots for carrot cake? ›

Can you freeze uncooked shredded carrots? - Quora. Yes you can! Just place them in a Ziploc bag and ensure that it is properly sealed - that is press all the air out of the bag. In this stage, they can keep well for up to 5 months.

Why is carrot cake unhealthy? ›

Carrot cake usually contains more saturated fat than fruit cake thanks to the frosting, which is typically made from cream cheese. The higher fat content also means it's higher in calories. Carrot cake is lower in fibre, so may not be as filling.

Is it better to make carrot cake with butter or oil? ›

Vegetable oil produces a more moist, tender cake than butter. Yes, butter generally tastes better, but it makes the cake come out a little firmer than I like. Don't worry—there's plenty of butter in the frosting to make up for it.

What is the best oil for baking cakes? ›

Oils like soybean oil (often labeled as vegetable oil) and canola oil do an amazing job of keeping baked goods moist without imparting a lot of flavors. Unlike butter, these oils tend to make baked goods lighter in texture and moister, as well. (Butter has a beautiful flavor, though.)

How do you store carrot cake overnight 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.

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.

How do you keep a cake moist overnight before decorating? ›

When left out at room temperature without any covering, a baked cake—even a frosted cake—dries out quickly. A better way to store cake is to cover it in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil. This seals in moisture and prevents air from drying out the cake. Store cupcakes in an airtight container.

Should I refrigerate carrot cake with cream cheese frosting? ›

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.

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