Easy Alton Brown Carrot Cake Recipe That’s Perfectly Sweet

Carrot cake represents a classic dessert that captures the essence of homestyle baking with its rustic charm and comforting flavors.

Sweet root vegetables transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that delights taste buds.

Warm spices intertwine with moist, tender crumbs to create a sensational texture that feels like a warm embrace.

Rich, fragrant notes of cinnamon and nutmeg dance through each delectable slice, promising pure indulgence.

Bakers appreciate this recipe for its forgiving nature and ability to surprise even seasoned dessert enthusiasts.

The magic happens when simple pantry staples combine into something truly remarkable and memorable.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that bridges comfort and creativity with every heavenly bite:

Why Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake Is a Must-Try

• Create a Moisture-Packed Delight: This carrot cake delivers incredible moisture through its unique combination of yogurt, vegetable oil, and fresh carrots, ensuring every bite feels luxuriously soft and tender.
• Master a Professional Baking Technique: Alton Brown's two-stage baking method (45 minutes at 350°F, then 20-25 minutes at 325°F) guarantees perfect doneness by slowly developing the cake's texture and preventing dry edges.
• Enjoy a Healthier Dessert Twist: Packed with grated carrots and using yogurt instead of traditional heavy cream, this recipe offers a lighter alternative to standard sugary cakes while maintaining incredible flavor and richness.
• Craft a Foolproof Cream Cheese Frosting: The step-by-step frosting method, gradually adding powdered sugar and chilling, ensures a smooth, creamy topping that perfectly complements the spiced cake's warmth.

Ingredients Needed for Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake

• Carrots: Fresh, sweet base that adds moisture and natural sweetness to the cake.
• Yogurt: Provides tanginess and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure to the cake.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist and soft cake with rich texture.
• Brown Sugar, Sugar: Add sweetness and help with caramelization and moisture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Primary structure for the cake, creates tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cake rise and become fluffy.
• Spices: Warm, aromatic blend that gives traditional carrot cake flavor.

• Butter, Cream Cheese: Creamy base for smooth, rich frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds classic, sweet flavor to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create smooth, spreadable consistency.

Procedure for Baking Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Environment

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×3-inch circular cake pan with butter. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Prepare Dry Ingredients

• Salt
• Spices
• Baking soda
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder

Pulse for 5 seconds to mix thoroughly.

Step 3: Coat Carrots

Add carrots to the dry ingredient mixture and toss until evenly coated with flour.

Step 4: Create Wet Mixture

• Yogurt
• Eggs
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar

Slowly drizzle in vegetable oil while mixing. Gently fold in the carrot mixture until just combined.

Step 5: First Baking Stage

Pour batter into prepared cake pan. Bake on the middle oven rack for 45 minutes.

Step 6: Second Baking Stage

Reduce oven temperature to 325°F. Continue baking for 20-25 minutes until cake’s center reaches 205-210°F.

Step 7: Cool the Cake

Remove cake from oven. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting

• Butter
• Cream cheese

Mix on medium speed until just combined.

Step 9: Finish Frosting

Add vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar in 4 batches, mixing on low speed after each addition.

Step 10: Chill Frosting

Refrigerate frosting for 5-10 minutes before spreading on completely cooled cake.

Tips to Perfect Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake

• Optimize Carrot Texture: Grate carrots by hand to maintain the right moisture and prevent watery cake batter.
• Control Baking Precision: Insert an instant-read thermometer into cake's center, confirming 205-210ºF for perfect doneness.
• Smooth Frosting Secret: Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing to eliminate lumps and create silky consistency.
• Enhance Moisture Balance: Fold yogurt gently into batter, distributing evenly to prevent dense cake texture.
• Sifting Technique Mastery: Use fine-mesh sifter for powdered sugar, creating cloudlike frosting without graininess.

Safekeeping Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake

• Counter Storage: Wrap the cake loosely in plastic wrap or place under a cake dome for maximum freshness. Consume within 2 days to enjoy peak flavor and texture. Keep away from direct sunlight or heat sources that might dry out the delicate cake.
• Refrigerator Preservation: Seal the carrot cake in an airtight container with a tight-fitting lid to lock in moisture. Stack slices between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Refrigerated cake stays delicious for up to 7 days, maintaining its soft crumb and cream cheese frosting's creamy consistency.
• Freezer Method: Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Press out excess air to prevent freezer burn.

Tasty Variations for Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake

• Nutty Carrot Cake: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for extra crunch and rich flavor. Fold in 1 cup of nuts before transferring the mixture to the cake pan.
• Tropical Carrot Cake: Mix in 1/2 cup of crushed pineapple and 1/4 cup of shredded coconut to the batter. These ingredients will enhance moisture and add a sweet, tropical touch to the classic recipe.
• Spiced Carrot Cake: Increase the warm spices by adding 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of cardamom. These additional spices will create a more complex and aromatic flavor profile for the cake.
• Chocolate Chip Carrot Cake: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking. The chocolate will melt slightly and create delicious pockets of sweetness throughout the cake.

Closing Remarks on Alton Brown’s Carrot Cake

Carrot cake lovers unite!

Alton Brown’s masterpiece brings rustic charm to classic dessert traditions.

Layers of spiced sweetness meld with creamy frosting, creating culinary magic that transcends ordinary baking experiences.

Precise techniques and carefully balanced ingredients elevate this recipe from simple cake to memorable sensation.

Home bakers can confidently craft this delightful treat with Brown’s expert guidance.

Readers who savor each crumb, snap a pic, share this recipe, and spread delicious joy will spark joy in kitchens everywhere.

Alton Brown Carrot Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s carrot cake delivers moist, spiced perfection with cream cheese frosting that elevates each delectable slice. Packed with grated carrots, warm cinnamon, and toasted pecans, this classic dessert promises a delightful journey through rich, comforting flavors you’ll savor to the last crumb.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 ¼ cups (6 medium) grated carrots, not peeled
• 3 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• ¾ cup plain yogurt

Sweeteners and Sugars:

• 1 ⅓ cups plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Spices and Additional Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 (8-ounce) block of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• butter, for the pan

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Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch (23-centimeter) round cake pan by lightly greasing and flouring its surface. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Grate the carrots finely and set them aside in a large mixing bowl.
3. Combine all dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices) in a food processor. Pulse briefly to mix, then coat the grated carrots evenly with this dry mixture.
4. Blend wet ingredients in the food processor: yogurt, eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil. Mix until the ingredients are just incorporated with the carrot mixture.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, ensuring an even distribution.
6. Bake on the middle oven rack for 45 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
7. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) and continue baking for an additional 20-25 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake’s internal temperature reaches 205-210°F (96-99°C).
8. Remove the cake from the oven and let it rest in the pan for 15 minutes.
9. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before frosting.
10. For the frosting, use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment to cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth.
11. Add vanilla extract and mix thoroughly.
12. Gradually incorporate powdered sugar in four separate additions, mixing on low speed after each addition.
13. Refrigerate the frosting for 5-10 minutes to achieve the ideal spreading consistency before applying to the cooled cake.

Notes

• Grate carrots just before mixing to capture maximum moisture and sweet natural flavors that transform this cake from ordinary to extraordinary.
• Yogurt works magic by infusing incredible tenderness into every single crumb, ensuring a supremely soft texture that melts in your mouth.
• Sifting powdered sugar eliminates pesky lumps, creating a silky-smooth frosting that spreads like a dream across your cake’s surface.
• Precise measurements guarantee consistent results, preventing potential baking disasters and delivering a perfectly balanced dessert every single time.
• Temperature checking with a thermometer eliminates guesswork, confirming your cake reaches the ideal internal temperature for perfect doneness and incredible texture.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 332 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 193 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 61 mg