This super moist carrot sheet cake recipe is just the kind of dessert you need when you’re craving something sweet and flavorful. Made with a super moist carrot cake cake base and a rich vanilla cream cheese frosting, this nut-free, butter-free recipe is guaranteed to be a Spring favorite among family and friends!

Best Carrot Sheet Cake Recipe

There are many reasons why this carrot sheet cake recipe is one of my favorites and why it will quickly become one of yours, too! Not only is it incredibly easy to make, but it is also irresistibly delicious.

This isn't any boring boxed carrot cake mix recipe. This is a 100% home made carrot cake using freshly shredded carrots and cream cheese frosting made from scratch. It's also nut-free, perfect for those with allergies. My foolproof techniques and expert tips ensure you achieve the best results every time, making it the best carrot cake with cream cheese frosting you'll ever try!

Believe it or not, this carrot cake recipe is also incredibly versatile. You can dress it up for a birthday or Easter brunch. Or, you can bake one on a random day of the week to enjoy a tasty dessert at home. You can also try one of the several flavor variations I provide to make it your own. Now, let's get started!

Katalin's Key Tips On How to Make This Carrot Sheet Cake EXTRA Moist

For a carrot sheet cake that's ultra-moist and tender with every single bite, a few key ingredients and techniques make all the difference!

First and foremost, using oil versus butter is one of the most critical factors. Unlike butter, which can harden when chilled and contains water that evaporates during baking, oil is 100% fat. That means it helps lock in moisture during baking and gives the cake a softer texture that stays that way (even after refrigeration)!

The moisture also comes from the brown sugar and the freshly grated carrots. Brown sugar naturally adds extra moisture thanks to its molasses content, while carrots add hydration due to its nearly 90% water content. Together, they create a super moist crumb that nearly melts in your mouth.

However, a moist carrot cake isn't only about the ingredients– the technique matters just as much. Be careful not to overmix your batter, which can lead to a dense, dry texture. Also, you want to avoid overbaking.

Once baked, make sure you store the cake properly to maintain that soft, moist texture in the days to come!

a slice of carrot sheet cake. — Photo credit: spatuladesserts.com

Mixing The Ingredients For the Carrot Sheet Cake Literally Takes 5 Minutes

The carrot cake batter is a breeze to throw together, but first, you will want to ensure that your eggs are at room temperature. Otherwise, they will not emulsify correctly. If your eggs are cold when you start, simply stick them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9x13 inch (23x33cm) sheet pan. Alternatively, you can line it with parchment paper.

Using your electric hand mixer to whip together the room-temperature eggs, oil, and granulated and brown sugars for 1-2 minutes until the ingredients are well combined.

Then, sift in the all purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt (don't skip the salt; it's essential to balance the flavors). Next, use a rubber spatula to gently fold the mixture into the wet ingredients. Finally, add the shredded carrot and use the spatula to fold it into the batter.

Pour the batter into your prepared sheet pan. Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cake passes the "toothpick test" (when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean).

Let the cake cool completely to room temperature before moving on to the next step.

My Signature Silky Cream Cheese Frosting

My silky, rich vanilla cream cheese frosting is one of the best parts of this carrot cake! It is also super easy to make. Always use high-fat dairy products in baking and make sure that they are very cold.

Use your electric hand mixer to whip together the cold cream cheese and mascarpone, the vanilla extract, and sifted powdered sugar. Stop whipping as soon as it reaches stiff peaks and has a fluffy, pipeable texture. Otherwise, it will break and become runny!

Now, the Fun Part! Make the Carrot Decoration

Once your cake base is thoroughly cooled, it's time to put the finishing touches on it! Start by putting aside about half a cup of the frosting (you'll use this in just a moment for the decoration). Then, spread the frosting evenly over the surface of the cake. An offset spatula comes in handy for this part of the process.

To make the carrot decorations, use gel food coloring to color half of the set-aside cream cheese frosting green and the other half orange. See my Expert Tips section below for tips about choosing the best food coloring.

Transfer the colored frostings into separate piping bags fitted with a small round nozzle. Then, pipe the carrot shapes on top of the cake as shown in the photo. Serve and enjoy!

Store Leftovers

This carrot sheet cake with cream cheese frosting has the best texture and flavor when you enjoy it fresh the same day you make it. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them covered in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

I do not recommend freezing the frosted cake (the cream cheese can become grainy). However, if you want to make the cake in advance, you can freeze the unfrosted cake by first letting it cool completely to room temperature. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil, then freeze for up to three months. Let it thaw at room temperature or in the fridge before frosting.

Flavor Variations

Here are several ways that you can put a twist on the traditional carrot cake recipe:

Different flavored frosting: Customize your cake with different cream cheese frosting flavors. My cream cheese frosting recipe offers several different flavor variation options!

With spices: Spice up your cake batter with additional warm spices such as nutmeg, ground ginger, pumpkin pie spice, or cloves.

With add-ins or toppings: In addition to the shredded carrot, stir in some shredded toasted coconut, crushed pineapple, or shredded zucchini, all of which pair wonderfully with carrot cake. You can also stir in crushed pecans or walnuts, raisins, chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries for a flavor and texture twist. Or, use any of the above as a topping (or both)!

Baking With Dietary Restrictions? Check These Links

A few modifications are possible if you need to accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies. For a gluten-free cake, you can replace the all-purpose flour with one of the gluten-free flours listed in my flour guide. You can use one of these egg substitutes for a vegan-friendly cake base.

I typically do not recommend substituting ingredients for the cream cheese frosting, but if necessary, you can use a high-fat vegan cream cheese and mascarpone substitute.

Before substituting, it is important to understand that changes to one ingredient may require adjustments to other ingredients to maintain the same texture and flavor.

Some More Expert Tips For Making Carrot Sheet Cake

For the best results, always choose full-fat, high-quality ingredients. Use cream cheese with at least 33% fat content (Philadelphia brand is a great option) and mascarpone with around 41% fat. Lower-fat options often contain more water, which won't provide the same thick, creamy texture and consistency. You'll also want to use a good-quality vanilla extract, this homemade vanilla extract is my favorite.
Since the carrot plays a significant role in the cake's moistness, do not attempt to drain or "squeeze" out any of the water from it.
When grating your carrots, you want to do so as finely as possible. If the pieces are too thick, they'll sink to the bottom of the cake.
To avoid watery frosting, opt for gel-based food coloring instead of liquid. I recommend Americolor for the most vibrant colors. High-quality powdered food coloring works well too.

Equipment You Will Need

When baking, always use a digital scale to ensure you have the most precise measurements. A digital oven thermometer helps to provide an accurate oven temperature.

To prepare the batter, you'll need an electric hand mixer for the wet ingredients and a rubber spatula to gently fold in the dry ingredients without the risk of overmixing. An electric mixer is also best for making the cream cheese frosting.

To bake and decorate the cake, you'll need a 9x13-inch sheet pan, an offs e t spatula for spreading the frosting, and a piping bag with a round tip nozzle for the finishing decoration.

Want to make this carrot cake sheet cake in a different shape or size? Refer to my cake pan conversion guide!

If you thought this sheet pan carrot cake was delicious, don't miss out on my other fun cake recipes:

For even more impressive cakes for any occasion, check out my Top 40 Best Layer Cake Recipes roundup.

Have You Tried This Recipe?

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Carrot Sheet Cake