Easy Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• nonstick cooking spray or oil (for the pan)
• 2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 0.5 tsp ground cardamom
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 lemon
• 0.75 cup vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 2.5 cup finely grated carrots (from 3 carrots)
• 0.75 cup chopped walnuts (plus more for topping)
• 16 oz cream cheese (2 (8-ounce) blocks, preferably Philadelphia, softened)
• 2 cup powdered sugar
• 0.25 cup sour cream (for frosting)
• 0.125 tsp fine salt (plus more to taste)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round or square cake pan with nonstick cooking spray or oil.

2. 2

   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cardamom, baking soda, baking powder, and fine salt.

3. 3

   In a separate medium bowl, combine the granulated sugar and the zest of the lemon. Rub the zest into the sugar with your fingertips until fragrant.

4. 4

   Whisk the vegetable oil, sour cream, and eggs into the sugar mixture until smooth.

5. 5

   Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Stir in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts.

6. 6

   Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. 7

   Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before frosting.

8. 8

   To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream, and salt together in a bowl until smooth and creamy.

9. 9

   Spread the frosting over the cooled cake and top with additional chopped walnuts if desired.

Notes

For the best results, use full-fat cream cheese and sour cream. Ensure the cream cheese is properly softened to avoid lumps in the frosting.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cake
• carrot cake
• baking
• cream cheese frosting
• walnuts
• spiced