Spiced Joanna Gaines Carrot Cake Recipe with Creamy Frosting

Joanna Gaines’s carrot cake emerges as a culinary masterpiece that elevates humble ingredients into a sublime dessert experience.

Warm spices weave magic through each velvety crumb, awakening memories of cozy kitchen moments.

Grated carrots and toasted nuts dance together, creating a symphony of textures that challenge ordinary cake expectations.

Delicate layers promise a melt-in-your-mouth sensation that whispers comfort and indulgence.

Luxurious cream cheese frosting crowns this creation with a silky embrace that beckons dessert lovers.

Each forkful tells a story of passion, tradition, and pure gustatory delight.

Get ready to fall head over heels for this irresistible slice of heaven.

Serving Options for Gaines’ Carrot Cake

• Pair with Sweet Sips: Serve alongside a creamy latte, chai tea, or cold glass of milk to complement the cake's rich, spiced flavors.
• Enhance the Presentation: Dust cake edges with additional cinnamon or arrange fresh edible flowers for an elegant, Instagram-worthy dessert that wows guests.
• Create Delightful Accompaniments: Top each slice with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to add extra indulgence and temperature contrast.
• Make It a Celebration: Slice cake into smaller portions for birthday parties, afternoon tea gatherings, or potluck dessert tables where people can enjoy bite-sized pieces.

Planning & Storage for Carrot Cake by Joanna

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Refrigerate Wisely: Store cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and preserve frosting's creamy texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cake layers or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving to maintain moisture and flavor.
• Serving Temperature Tip: Remove cake from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Allowing it to reach room temperature enhances taste and softens frosting, creating a more delightful eating experience.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake layers and frosting a day in advance. Store layers wrapped at room temperature and refrigerate frosting. Assemble just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and perfect texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 510 kcal

Servings: 11

Carrot Cake Recipe Ingredients from Joanna Gaines

• All-Purpose Flour: Choose unbleached flour for richer flavor and better texture.
• Baking Soda: Fresh baking soda ensures optimal rise and lightness in the cake.
• Salt: Fine sea salt brings out subtle sweetness in the cake.
• Ground Cinnamon: Use fresh, fragrant cinnamon for warm, aromatic notes.

• Vegetable Oil: Select a neutral-flavored oil for smooth, moist cake texture.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Combine for deep, complex sweetness and moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla adds rich, comforting flavor depth.
• Eggs: Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and smoother batter.

• Grated Carrots: Freshly grated carrots provide natural sweetness and moisture.
• Pecans, Raisins: Toast pecans lightly to intensify nutty flavor and crunch.
• Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese ensures creamy, luxurious frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sift to prevent lumps in the smooth frosting.
• Cornstarch: Helps stabilize and thicken the frosting.
• Heavy Cream: Use cold cream for better whipping and volume.
• Chopped Pecans: Sprinkle on top for extra crunch and visual appeal.

What You’ll Need for Joanna Gaines’ Carrot Cake

• Oven: Essential for baking cake layers at precise temperature.
• Cake pans (23cm/9-inch): Two round pans for perfectly shaped layers.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cake from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
• Medium bowl: Used for mixing dry ingredients.
• Large bowl: Needed for combining wet ingredients.
• Rubber spatula: Helps fold ingredients gently without overmixing.
• Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center.
• Wire rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and quickly.
• Handheld mixer: Creates smooth cream cheese frosting.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Baking Joanna Gaines’ Carrot Cake

• Prep the Baking Zone

Heat oven to 176°C. Grease two round cake pans and line with parchment paper. This ensures your cake won’t stick and comes out perfectly.

• Combine Dry Elements

Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl until well blended. These ingredients create the cake’s delicate structure and warm flavor.

• Blend Wet Ingredients

Mix vegetable oil, sugars, and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth and glossy. The oil keeps the cake moist and tender.

• Introduce Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. This technique helps create a silky, even batter.

• Marry Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using a spatula. Stir until just combined, avoiding overmixing which can make the cake tough.

• Boost Cake Texture

Carefully fold in grated carrots, pecans, and raisins. These add wonderful depth and character to your cake.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 35-45 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick comes out clean and the top springs back when touched.

• Cool and Prepare Frosting

Let cake cool completely. While waiting, beat cream cheese until smooth, then gradually mix in powdered sugar. Whip in heavy cream until light and fluffy.

• Assemble and Decorate

Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread frosting generously. Add second layer and cover entire cake with remaining frosting. Sprinkle chopped pecans on top for a beautiful finish.

• Serve and Indulge

Chill cake for best flavor. Slice and enjoy this decadent carrot cake that’s sure to impress family and friends.

Tips & Tricks for Joanna’s Carrot Cake

• Moisture Magic: Add a splash of pineapple juice to the batter for extra moisture and tropical sweetness that keeps the cake incredibly soft.
• Nut Alternatives: Swap pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different crunch and flavor profile that suits your taste preferences.
• Spice It Up: Experiment with additional warm spices like nutmeg or ground ginger to enhance the cake's complex flavor depth.
• Storage Secrets: Store the frosted cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, ensuring maximum freshness and deliciousness.

Rustic Joanna Gaines Carrot Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Joanna Gaines carrot cake delivers classic comfort with Southern charm. Spiced layers drizzled with cream cheese frosting promise sweet satisfaction for home bakers and dessert enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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• 4 large eggs
• 1 ¼ cups (295ml) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese
• ⅓ cup (80ml) cold heavy cream
• 3 cups (300g) grated peeled carrots
• 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (190g) lightly packed brown sugar
• 1 cup (120g) coarsely chopped pecans
• ½ cup (70g) raisins
• ½ cup (50g) coarsely chopped pecans (for topping cake)
• 2 tsps baking soda
• 2 tsps cornstarch
• 1 ½ tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 ¼ cups (140g) powdered sugar
• ½ tsp fine sea salt

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Instructions

1. Prep Oven and Pans: Preheat oven to 176°C (350°F). Grease two 23cm round cake pans, line bottoms with parchment paper, and lightly regrease paper surface.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended and aerated.
3. Create Wet Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy. Integrate eggs one at a time, ensuring complete incorporation and creating a uniform silky texture.
4. Merge Ingredients: Gently fold dry ingredient mixture into wet ingredients using a rubber spatula, minimizing stirring to preserve batter’s delicate consistency. Carefully fold in grated carrots, chopped pecans, and raisins, distributing evenly for balanced flavor.
5. Bake Cake Layers: Divide batter equally between prepared pans, smoothing tops with a spatula. Bake for 35-45 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean and cake surfaces spring back when touched.
6. Cool Cake Layers: Rest cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Remove parchment paper and cool completely to room temperature.
7. Craft Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat cream cheese until smooth, gradually adding powdered sugar and cornstarch. Pour in heavy cream, beating 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Refrigerate until ready to use.
8. Assemble and Decorate: Position first cake layer on serving plate, spread frosting generously. Place second layer on top. Cover entire cake with remaining frosting, creating elegant swirls. Sprinkle chopped pecans over surface for rustic texture.
9. Finalize and Serve: Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes to set frosting. Slice and serve chilled or at room temperature, revealing a moist and decadent carrot cake.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients minimally to maintain a tender, light cake texture and avoid a dense, tough result.
• Moisture Matters: Use freshly grated carrots and ensure they’re not too wet to prevent a soggy cake bottom and maintain optimal texture.
• Pecan Precision: Toast pecans briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a more complex, rich taste profile to the cake.
• Frosting Temperature: Keep cream cheese and butter at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily and creates a silky finish.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 510
• Sugar: 59g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 57g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 100mg