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carrot cake featured
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5 from 5 votes

Paula Deen's Best Ever Carrot Cake

Paula Deen's carrot cake is a classic for a reason! It is full of 3 cups of fresh grated carrots and lots of sugar and butter for added goodness.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 608kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour plus more for pans
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups vegetable oil plus a little for greasing pans
  • 3 cups grated carrots
  • 2 8 oz packages room temperature cream cheese
  • 1 stick room temperature salted butter
  • 1 16 oz box powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups chopped divided (optional) pecans

Instructions


  • Carrot Cake
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub a light layer of oil on the inside of the pans and then flour them to prevent the cakes from sticking. (I used to 9-inch round pans. If you would like to go an easier route, just do 1 9x13 pan).
  • In a large bowl add flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Stir to combine. Add in eggs, oil, and grated carrots, and stir to combine.
  • Pour cake in prepared pans (or pan) and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. If you are doing one 9x13 pan, starting checking at 35 minutes, but you may need to go a little longer. Your cakes are done when a toothpick comes out cleanly.
  • Carefully flip cakes onto a cooling rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.
  • Using frosting recipe below to create frosting for cake. If using nuts, sprinkle on top or pressed along the side of a frosted round cake.

  • Cream Cheese frosting
  • Allow cream cheese and butter to come to room temperature on the counter. Once softened add to the bowl of a stand mixer along with vanilla extract. Begin whipping and then slowly add in powdered sugar in increments. Whip until the frosting is fluffy and the powdered sugar is completely incorporated.

Notes

TIP: Try whipping the frosting for a few extra minutes once the ingredients are all incorporated. This adds more air into the frosting and creates a lovely whipped texture that pairs great with such a dense carrot cake.

Nutrition

Calories: 608kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 20g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 421mg | Potassium: 222mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 5441IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg