A Baker's Dozen of Crazy Delicious Carrot Cake Recipes

By Cooking Light
April 02, 2019
Credit: Photo: Teresa Sabga
Think beyond carrot cake—though we have that too—to cookies, truffles, pancakes, and even a gelly shot.
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Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Credit: Alison Miksch
View Recipe: Mini Carrot Cake Cupcakes

These not-too-sweet mini cupcakes give you all of the flavor of a classic carrot cake, plus a hint of tang in the cream cheese frosting. These cute bite-sized treats would be a great addition to any spring celebration, or for a tea party. You can make the cupcakes up to 1 day in advance unfrosted in airtight container on the counter. Make the frosting when you’re ready to serve.

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Vegan Carrot Cake Truffles

Credit: tifs
View Recipe: Vegan Carrot Cake Truffles

Everything there is to love about carrot cake made into two-bite, no-bake truffles. Our plant-powered, vegan treats are brimming with heart-healthy omega-3 fats, and free of added sugar thanks to naturally sweet dates. Use the smallest setting of your box grater or food processor's grating attachment to grate the carrots into fine, fluffy pieces. Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg compose the heady spice trinity, so don’t be shy about adding extra, if you like. Enjoy these truffles for a snack or dessert, or share them with family and friends for easy Easter entertaining.

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Spiced Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Credit: Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Spiced Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

A smear of cream cheese frosting is the ideal topper for this spiced carrot cake.

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Carrot-Zucchini Cake With Coconut-Cream Cheese Frosting

Credit: Photo: Dylan + Jeni
View Recipe: Carrot-Zucchini Cake With Coconut-Cream Cheese Frosting

Zucchini makes a brilliant addition to carrot cake, adding a verdant note to the sweet carrot.

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Carrot-Apple Spice Cake With Browned-Butter Glaze

Credit: Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Carrot-Apple Spice Cake With Browned-Butter Glaze

We challenged ourselves to come up with a show-stopping dessert that uses boxed cake mix as a starting point—and we succeeded. Fresh carrot and apple plus a splash of bourbon boost the flavor of the layers and add incredible moisture, while the browned-butter glaze is, well, the wildly delicious icing on the cake. Not only does this cake taste like fall, but it is quite the eye candy as well. Bring this to a holiday party and impress your guests with this three-layer beauty.

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Browned Butter Carrot Cake With Toasted Pecans

Credit: Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez
View Recipe: Browned Butter Carrot Cake With Toasted Pecans

The Bundt pan makes for a much easier dessert, freeing you from the fuss of stacking and frosting layers. You can bake the cake ahead and freeze it, unglazed: Wrap the cooled cake in plastic wrap, and freeze in a zip-top plastic freezer bag for up to 3 months (glaze the thawed cake).

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Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies

Based on the classic whoopie pie, these soft sandwich cookies provide all the pleasures of traditional carrot cake in a fun-to-eat package, including the thick, tangy cream cheese frosting—especially the cream cheese frosting.

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Carrot Cake Gelly Shots

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Carrot Cake Gelly Shots

Dessert meets cocktail: Bourbon-y spiced carrot gelatin delivers familiar warming flavors, and creamy vermouth is absolutely the "frosting" on the cake.

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Carrot Cake Pancakes

Credit: Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Carrot Cake Pancakes

Stuffed with toasted walnuts, shredded carrots, and all the spices found in carrot cake, these light buttermilk pancakes are a guilt-free breakfast pleasure. Top with some homemade honey butter or light pancake syrup.

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Carrot Cake With Toasted Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting

Credit: Photo: Howard L. Puckett
View Recipe: Carrot Cake With Toasted Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
This lightened carrot cake recipe features a tender cake packed with grated carrot, flaked coconut, and chopped pecans. Just like a traditional carrot cake, this cake is topped with a thick cream cheese frosting.

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Carrot Cake

Credit: Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Carrot Cake

This lighter twist on traditional carrot cake features a tender cake packed with grated carrot, juicy pineapple, flaked coconut, and chopped pecans. Cream cheese frosting and a garnish of grated carrot tops the cake.

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Carrot Cake

Credit: Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Carrot Cake

Warm spices and brown sugar add rich, caramelized flavors to this carrot cake. If you can't find fromage blanc, use more cream cheese.

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Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Muffins

Credit: Photo: Teresa Sabga
View Recipe: Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Muffins

Bring to work or serve as a brunch feature—either way, you and your guests will love these healthy, gluten-free Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal Muffins. With a punch of protein from almond butter, whole-grain goodness from rolled oats, fruit and veggies, you can't go wrong with this wholesome treat.

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