9 Ways with Carrot Cake

By Southern Living
Photo: Jennifer Davick

While some recipe historians trace the roots of carrot cake back to medieval times, we disagree. We know exactly where the best carrot cakes come from – the oven of a Southerner’s kitchen. Moist, flavorful, and covered in creamy frosting, carrot cake is a perfectly delightful dessert that satisfies a certain craving in a way unlike any other classic Southern cake. The sweet flavors of cinnamon, cream cheese, and carrots packed into traditional carrot cake recipes can be used in so many delicious desserts. For a tried-and-true classic, try our ultimate layered carrot cake recipe stacked high with layers of rich, custard-like cream cheese frosting. For a modern, tangy kick, try our Carrot Cake with Chevre Frosting made from flavorful goat cheese. When it comes to Carrot Cake recipes, it’s never too early in the day to eat cake. For the ultimate occasion-worthy brunch dish, our Carrot Cake Pancakes topped with creamy frosting are absolutely show-stopping. To get your daily carrot cake fix with minimal effort, make a batch of our quick Carrot Cake muffins, packed with pecans, raisins, and pineapple, to grab on your way out the door every morning. Let them eat (carrot) cake!

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The Ultimate Carrot Cake

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: The Ultimate Carrot Cake

These layers are tender, so remove from pans carefully!

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Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Recipe: Coconut-Carrot Cake with Coconut Buttercream

This sheet cake is perfect for feeding a crowd.

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Carrot Cake with Chèvre Frosting

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham 

Recipe: Carrot Cake with Chèvre Frosting

Substituting goat cheese for the standard cream cheese gives this frosting an extra-tangy kick.

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Carrot Cake Pancakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Carrot Cake Pancakes

Use the small holes of a box grater to finely grate the carrots by hand; if you use a food processor, the carrots will be too wet, making the pancakes dense and less tender.

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Layered Carrot Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Layered Carrot Cake

The star of this classic carrot layer cake is the thick sweetened cream frosting that you spread between the cake layers and on the top and sides of the cake. The cake gets extra sweetness from the addition of crushed pineapple to the batter.

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Carrot Cake Muffins

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Carrot Cake Muffins

With pecans, raisins, and crushed pineapple, these muffins are a breakfast-approved version of the classic dessert.

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Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake Recipe 

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Pineapple Upside-Down Carrot Cake

One quick flip and this moist cake with perfectly caramelized fruit slips from a skillet.

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Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Apple-Pecan Carrot Cake

Top a showstopping crown of Mascarpone Frosting with swirls of Apple Cider Caramel Sauce and a scattering of salty-sweet Spiced Pecans. Caramel sauce, rather than fosting, sandwiches together the moist cake layers.

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Best Carrot Cake

Tina Cornett

Recipe: Best Carrot Cake

We're not lying when we say this is the best. Layers of delicious carrot cake are moistened with a Buttermilk Glaze and topped off with a sweet Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cooking Video: Best Carrot Cake Ever

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Mama Dip’s Carrot Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mama Dip’s Carrot Cake

This recipe from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, restaurateur Mildred "Mama Dip" Council is one of the best carrot cakes we've tested. The cake layers can be made ahead and frozen up to one month.

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