My grandma had the original recipe cut out of Southern Living magazine!

Welcome to the world of homemade carrot cake sheet cake, where each slice embodies a perfect blend of moist texture, warm spices, and rich cream cheese frosting. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a comforting dessert, mastering this recipe will elevate your baking prowess and delight your taste buds. Join us on a journey to discover the art of crafting this beloved classic, tailored to satisfy every sweet tooth and create lasting memories with every bite.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

For the Frosting:

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

1. Preheat the Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
   • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.
3. Beat Sugar and Eggs:
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the granulated sugar and eggs together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Oil:
   • Gradually add the vegetable oil to the sugar and egg mixture, continuing to beat until well combined.
5. Add Carrots and Nuts:
   • Stir in the grated carrots and chopped pecans or walnuts, if using.
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 2: Bake the Cake

1. Pour Batter into Pan:
   • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly.
2. Bake:
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
3. Cool:
   • Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.

Step 3: Prepare the Frosting

1. Beat Cream Cheese and Butter:
   • In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and unsalted butter together until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Confectioners’ Sugar:
   • Gradually add the confectioners’ sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition until the frosting is smooth and creamy.
3. Add Vanilla Extract:
   • Stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.

Step 4: Frost the Cake

1. Frost the Cooled Cake:
   • Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top of the cake using a spatula.
2. Optional Garnish:
   • Sprinkle additional chopped pecans or walnuts over the frosting for garnish, if desired.

Step 5: Serve

1. Slice and Serve:
   • Cut the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy your homemade carrot cake sheet cake!