**🥕 Classic Carrot Cake Recipe**
**Ingredients**
**For the Cake:**
– 250g (2 cups) **all-purpose flour**
– 200g (1 cup) **granulated sugar**
– 100g (½ cup) **brown sugar**
– 1 tsp **baking powder**
– 1 tsp **baking soda**
– ½ tsp **salt**
– 1 ½ tsp **ground cinnamon**
– ½ tsp **ground nutmeg** (optional)
– 3 **large eggs**
– 180ml (¾ cup) **vegetable oil**
– 120ml (½ cup) **unsweetened applesauce** (or more oil)
– 2 tsp **vanilla extract**
– 300g (2 ½ cups) **grated carrots**
– 100g (¾ cup) **chopped walnuts** (optional)
– 80g (½ cup) **raisins** (optional)
**For the Cream Cheese Frosting:**
– 225g (8 oz) **cream cheese**, softened
– 115g (½ cup) **unsalted butter**, softened
– 400g (3 ½ cups) **powdered sugar**
– 1 tsp **vanilla extract**
– 1-2 tbsp **milk** (if needed, for consistency)
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**Instructions**
**1️⃣ Preheat and Prepare**
Preheat your oven to **175°C (350°F)**. Grease and flour **two 9-inch cake pans**, or line them with parchment paper.
**2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients**
In a large bowl, whisk together **flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg**.
**3️⃣ Mix Wet Ingredients**
In another bowl, beat together the **eggs, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract** until smooth.
**4️⃣ Combine Everything**
Slowly mix the **wet ingredients** into the **dry ingredients**. Fold in the **grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins** until evenly distributed.
**5️⃣ Bake**
Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans. Bake for **30-35 minutes**, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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**Making the Cream Cheese Frosting**
1️⃣ In a large bowl, beat the **cream cheese and butter** together until smooth.
2️⃣ Gradually add the **powdered sugar**, mixing well.
3️⃣ Stir in the **vanilla extract** and beat until fluffy. Add **milk** if needed for a spreadable consistency.
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**Assembling the Cake**
1️⃣ Place one cake layer on a plate and spread a layer of **cream cheese frosting**.
2️⃣ Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with frosting.
3️⃣ Decorate with **chopped walnuts, shredded carrots, or a sprinkle of cinnamon**.
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**Tips for the Perfect Carrot Cake**
✔️ **Use freshly grated carrots** – They add moisture to the cake.
✔️ **Don’t overmix the batter** – This keeps the cake light and fluffy.
✔️ **Let the cake cool completely** before frosting to prevent melting.