Carrot Sheet Cake

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Moist and flavorful Carrot Sheet Cake with pineapple, warm spices, and a cream cheese frosting. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion!

Prep Time15

Cook Time35

Additional Time1

Total Time1 50

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: Jamie Sherman

Equipment

Ingredients

For the cake

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cup grated carrot
⅔ cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs at room temperature
1 can crushed pineapple 8 oz., drained
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting

3 oz. cream cheese softened
¼ cup unsalted butter softened
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the carrot, oil, eggs, pineapple, and extract with a hand mixer on low speed until well combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the carrot mixture and continue mixing with a hand mixer until the batter is smooth and combined. Do not overmix.
Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center tests clean.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until the frosting is light and smooth.
Frost the cake and serve.

Notes

✅ Use Freshly Grated Carrots – Pre-shredded carrots from the store are too dry and won’t blend as well into the batter. Grate them fresh for the best texture and moisture.

✅ Drain the Pineapple Well – Too much liquid can make the cake too dense. Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove excess juice.

✅ Don’t Overmix the Batter – Mix until just combined to keep the cake light and tender. Overmixing can result in a dense, tough texture.

✅ Check for Doneness – Insert a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done. Overbaking can make it dry.

✅ Cool Completely Before Frosting – If the cake is warm, the cream cheese frosting will melt and slide off. Let it cool fully before spreading.

✅ Refrigerate for the Best Flavor – This cake tastes even better after chilling for a few hours. It allows the flavors to meld and enhances the texture.

✅ Store Properly – Because of the cream cheese frosting, always refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container. It stays fresh for up to 5 days.

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