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Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting

April 8, 2014 / Cakes, Desserts

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.

Celebrate spring with a simple, not-too-sweet Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting. 

Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting is the perfect way to celebrate spring.

Cooking at my house means often multi-tasking and working in shifts. Whisk together flour and dry ingredients in the morning. Grate veggies during lunchtime. Frost cakes late at night, after everyone else is in bed.

I like it this way, the non-rush of the task. Being in the kitchen trying to get a project done as the rest of the family jostles for my attention doesn’t usually result in the most cohesive of recipes. When the house is quiet, and the only sound is my chopping, I can get focused. I like to think it’s “me” time, even though I’m cooking for the rest of the family to enjoy. But at the very least, it allows me to think while I work.

The other day I realized that Easter is soon approaching. It’s not that I really forgot — after all, I do freelance marketing for every single holiday — it’s more that I remembered we should do something for it. Sure, we do the egg hunt thing, but other than that, not much, especially because our families live so far away.

Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting - Celebrate spring with a not-too-sweet Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting.

It’s hard to remember sometimes that we are our own little family, and we have our own traditions to sow. Sometimes that means new pajamas on Christmas Eve, sometimes that means a family costume for Halloween. Sometimes that means making a cake for us to share.

I always try to make treats a little healthier, so this cake is chock-full of carrots, uses applesauce instead of oil or butter, and features mostly whole-wheat flour with the all-purpose flour. But don’t worry that this is one of those cakes you don’t want to eat — it’s lovely in texture and kid-approved.

Adding lemon zest to the frosting brightens it up, bringing the sunshine of the spring inside. You can leave it out, if you like, or try orange zest instead. I limited walnuts to the top rather than folding into the batter so the pickier eaters can avoid them (it also helps the cake bake up better).

Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting - Microplane Grater

To make this carrot cake, I enlisted the help of one of my favorite kitchen tools, the Kitchen IQ Container Grater. I’m not kidding when I say I use this almost every day, thanks to the interchangeable blades and super convenient container.

I love that I can use it for both shredding the carrots and zesting a lemon, and can also grate cheese for pizza, just by changing the blades and rinsing the box. The blades are super sharp (I’ve grated my fingers a few times…) so I know it will work easily for pretty much anything. Next on my list is making hashbrowns for breakfast!

Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting

Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Celebrate spring with a simple, not-too-sweet Carrot Cake with Lemon Frosting. 

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup applesauce
  • 1/3 cup turbinado sugar
  • 2 cups grated carrots
  • 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces neufchatel cheese, softened.
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Walnuts, optional

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line 3 6-inch cake pans with parchment rounds (or use 2 8-inch cake pans).
  2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, applesauce, and sugar, then mix in carrots.
  3. In another bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt, then stir into carrot mixture until just moistened.
  4. Divide batter among cake pans (it will be thick). Tap bottoms on the counter to help it spread, or use a spatula to even out.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Invert cakes onto a wire rack and let cool before frosting.
  6. To frost, beat together neufchatel cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon zest until smooth. Frost cake and top with walnuts, if desired.

Notes

If you would like to make a 9-inch layer cake, simply double the recipe and add a few minutes to the baking time.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
    KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
  • Wilton Aluminum Round Cake Pan Set, 6" x 2" in., (4-Pack)
    Wilton Aluminum Round Cake Pan Set, 6" x 2" in., (4-Pack)
  • OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set
    OXO Good Grips 3-piece Mixing Bowl Set
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 363Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 428mgCarbohydrates: 59gFiber: 4gSugar: 36gProtein: 9g

Did you make this recipe?

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© Megan

More carrot recipes you might like:

  • Carrot Fritters – Stetted
  • Carrot Pistachio Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – My Kitchen Addiction
  • Carrot Rose Tart – Stetted
  • Coconut Roasted Carrot Salad – Healthy Green Kitchen
  • Olive Oil Carrot Cake Bread – Stephie Cooks
Copycat Starbucks Breakfast Sandwiches
Strawberry Mint Ricotta Tart

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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  1. Jeffrey says

    April 8, 2014 at 8:21 am

    I actually like getting my yard and landscaping cleaned up and ready. Planting the garden is also one of my spring hobbies.

    Reply
  2. Mandy says

    April 8, 2014 at 10:00 am

    I bought very inexpensive cut-proof kevlar gloves for working with graters and mandolines. Totally saves my fingers! I also use them when cutting peppers, etc, to save my hands from heat and acids. I have nitrile-faced ones.

    Reply
  3. Kim says

    April 8, 2014 at 11:22 am

    going to opening day for the mets!

    Reply
  4. Margot C says

    April 8, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    E all love the Easter Egg HUnt, it goes all through the house and then outside.

    Reply
  5. Christina says

    April 8, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    My favorite Spring tradition is making a daffodil cake for my mom’s birthday on the first day of Spring.

    Reply
  6. Kelly D says

    April 8, 2014 at 5:07 pm

    I like having Easter dinner at my house with family and having an Easter Egg hunt for the kids.

    Reply
  7. Mary B. says

    April 8, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    Oh boy, steaming an artichoke for our family to share leaf-by-leaf with a simple butter and lemon dipping sauce!

    Reply
  8. Wehaf says

    April 8, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    I love planting my garden, dyeing easter eggs, and going to the farmer’s market!

    Reply
  9. LauriM says

    April 8, 2014 at 10:41 pm

    Gardening, spring cleaning and all the Easter traditions.

    Reply
  10. Bethany says

    April 8, 2014 at 11:56 pm

    opening the windows!!

    Reply
  11. Mary Helen says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:21 am

    I love carrot cake! Besides ice cream cake, it’s my very favorite.

    Reply
  12. Nicole says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:50 am

    My favorite spring traditions are all about the food! I always make sure to eat tons and tons of strawberries, peas, asparagus, and artichokes. Eating them outside makes it even better!

    Reply
  13. Amanda says

    April 10, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    Planning our garden is our favorite tradition..second to bother the local farmers for what’s in store for the market.

    Reply
  14. Mad Betty says

    April 10, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    Spring for me growing up was the few pretty weeks between the long, cold winter and beach season. My mom bought me a hyacinth every year for my bedroom because I love the smell so much.

    Reply
  15. Hector G. says

    April 10, 2014 at 9:47 pm

    I love going on a long bike ride when Spring arrives. I love a good breeze. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply
  16. Navah says

    April 10, 2014 at 9:55 pm

    I love taking the outdoor furniture outside, and lunching outdoors.

    Reply
  17. Kristin @ FoodFash says

    April 10, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    I second opening up the windows!

    Reply
  18. Tessa McCoy says

    April 10, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    The smell of fresh flowers!

    Reply
  19. kristina says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    What a yummy treat to look forward too. I love the pic, it makes me feel all springy inside.

    Reply
  20. kristina says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:26 pm

    Oops I forgot to mention what I love about Spring. Cleaning out the house and decorating with lots of clean white springy decorations. And lots of fresh spring veggies, they take the place of all those winter roots veggies.

    Reply
  21. Kimberly Ann says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    I got those cut proof gloves for Christmas! I’ve saved several knuckles and fingers.

    Reply
  22. ethan says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    I’ll grate to get a slice of that cake!

    Reply
  23. Kimberly Ann says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    As an only child I still get elaborate Easter baskets from my family. I love creating the same for Zach each year.

    Reply
  24. Amber says

    April 11, 2014 at 7:34 am

    I like planting new flowers, hanging the flag back up and just cleaning up the yard from the crappy winters 🙂

    Reply
  25. Aspen says

    April 11, 2014 at 5:50 pm

    Gorgeous cake! My favorite spring tradition is sight-seeing for wildflowers, especially when they pop up in unexpected places.

    Reply
  26. christy says

    April 11, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    That cake looks “grate”. hahaha I crack myself up.

    Reply
  27. sa collins says

    April 12, 2014 at 10:05 am

    My favorite thing about spring is gardening. Thank you for the giveaway.

    Reply
  28. Ben says

    April 12, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Baseball!

    Reply
  29. Brandy says

    April 13, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    Intense spring cleaning isn’t my favorite tradition…but enjoying a nice, fresh, house definitely is. Also, getting back out into nature with my husband and dog. Those first walks of the season are always the best.

    Reply
  30. Pat says

    April 13, 2014 at 5:51 pm

    love opening the windows also!!!!!

    Reply
  31. Jasmine Torres says

    April 13, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    I love gardening and all the pretty little desserts we make for Easter and mothers day

    Reply
  32. Maggie says

    April 13, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Spring tradition is getting Peeps from my Aunt

    Reply
  33. Brandi says

    April 13, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    ? Carrot Cake and I bet the addition of the lemon is just enough to spring it up! !!

    Reply
  34. Erika Bastings says

    April 13, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    I love riding my bicycle around and feeling the sun on my face during the not super hot time of spring 🙂

    Reply
  35. Robin C. says

    April 13, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    My favorite Spring tradition is going to the Bronx Zoo after a long Winter, the baby animals have begun to be out and about and the temperature is just right, to spend an entire day there.

    Reply
  36. Lisa says

    April 13, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    Baking with fresh fruit!

    Reply
  37. Hope says

    April 13, 2014 at 7:27 pm

    My spring time favorites are baking with my daughter and working in our yard!

    Reply
  38. Deb P says

    April 13, 2014 at 7:40 pm

    Planting flowers!

    Reply
  39. Lehilina Marlow says

    April 13, 2014 at 8:19 pm

    My favorite spring tradition is dying Easter eggs with our children and then having a little Easte egg hunt on Easter morning!

    Reply
  40. Vera T. says

    April 13, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    Spring- planting flowers!!

    Reply
  41. Anna Smith says

    April 13, 2014 at 9:24 pm

    I love it cause u can open the doors and air the house out, for a fresh clean smell.. then all of the pretty flowers blooming bring the pretty looks and the nice smell..just everything full of life..

    Reply
  42. Nashisha H says

    April 14, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    I love cleaning out clutter, getting flowers in the ground and the fresh air!

    Reply
  43. Ursula Hurley says

    April 14, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    I’m on vacation here in Florida, but when I return to Ireland next month, I certainly intend baking that gorgeous Carrot Cake of yours. Neufchâtel cheese is not a cheese I’m familiar with. Maybe we don’t have it in Ireland. Thank you for recipe.

    Reply
    • Megan says

      April 14, 2014 at 8:38 pm

      @Ursula, neufchâtel is a lighter version of cream cheese, so you can certainly swap it out for the standard cream cheese in the recipe, if that is available! Unfortunately, I’m not sure what else would be equivalent.

      Reply
  44. Samantha says

    April 22, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I love planting my garden seedlings that I’ve started indoors before the weather warms up.

    Reply
  45. Rachel says

    April 28, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    LOL, we don’t get ‘spring’ here in Thailand. Thais call the three seasons ‘hot, hotter and hottest’ and at our current temperatures of more than 104 degrees every day, we’re hoping this is the ‘hottest’ it’s going to get.

    The cake looks amazing, btw, and I’ll definitely be trying it.

    Reply

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