Moist • Perfectly Spiced • Crowd-Favorite
There’s something magical about a truly great carrot cake—moist without being heavy, warmly spiced, infused with subtle sweetness from fresh carrots, and finished with a luxuriously smooth cream cheese icing. This carrot sheet cake checks every single box. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family tradition, the dessert everyone asks you to make for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas—or honestly, any day you want something comforting and irresistible.
This version is extra special because it was developed specifically to be easy, foolproof, and perfect for serving a crowd. No stacking cake layers, no fancy decorating… just one big luscious slab of perfectly baked carrot cake topped with thick, creamy frosting. The image shows exactly why this cake went viral: each square is ultra-soft, generously iced, and studded with little bits of carrot and warm spices. One bite in, and you immediately understand the hype.
Below is the full 1000-word recipe, including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, expert tips, variations, storage, and serving ideas.
Ingredients
For the Carrot Sheet Cake
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 cups grated fresh carrots (packed, not loose)
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1 ½ cups granulated sugar
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½ cup light brown sugar, packed
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1 cup vegetable oil
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4 large eggs, room temperature
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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1 teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
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½ teaspoon nutmeg
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½ teaspoon ginger (optional but delicious)
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
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½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional but adds amazing moisture)
For the Cream Cheese Icing
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup unsalted butter, softened
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3–4 cups powdered sugar
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1–2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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Optional: orange zest or lemon zest for brightness
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Optional decorations: carrot-shaped icing candies, sprinkles, or piped frosting carrots
✨ Instructions
1. Prepare the Pan & Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or nonstick spray. For extra insurance, add parchment paper with an overhang so you can lift the cake out easily.
