The Fluffiest Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake Recipe Ever Made

Sweet memories of childhood baking swirl around this caramel pecan carrot cake that promises pure comfort.

Nostalgic aromas will dance through your kitchen when you mix these ingredients.

Warm spices and nutty pecans create a delightful harmony in every slice.

Layers of moist carrot goodness get dressed up with rich caramel drizzles that make dessert feel extra special.

Texture plays a magical role in this cake, blending crunch and softness seamlessly.

Baking becomes an adventure when you craft something this delectable.

Come uncover the secrets of a cake that turns an ordinary afternoon into a celebration.

Why Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake Is A Sweet Surprise

• Conquer Complex Baking: Break down the recipe into simple steps that even novice bakers can master with confidence, transforming intimidating cake-making into an enjoyable kitchen adventure.
• Create Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Packed with irresistible ingredients like sweet carrots, crunchy pecans, and rich caramel, this cake guarantees smiles and second helpings at potlucks, family gatherings, and celebrations.
• Versatile Seasonal Treat: Perfect for autumn festivities, holiday parties, or anytime you crave a comforting dessert that bridges classic baking with gourmet indulgence, making every slice feel special.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adding different nuts, adjusting spice levels, or experimenting with alternative frosting techniques to make the cake uniquely yours while maintaining its delicious core.

What Goes In Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: A fundamental ingredient that provides structure to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender throughout baking.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide richness to the cake.

• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic flavor characteristic of carrot cake.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, complementary spice note to the cake.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cake.

• Carrots: Fresh grated carrots provide moisture and natural sweetness to the cake.
• Pecans, Chopped: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor to the cake.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a tangy, rich base for the frosting.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth frosting texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the cream cheese frosting.

• Caramel Sauce: Provides a sweet, luxurious drizzle over the cake.
• Pecans, Additional Chopped: Offers extra crunch and decorative element to the finished cake.

How To Make Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake Easily

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 350°F and give your 9×13-inch baking pan a generous coating of butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Baking soda
• Salt

Ensure all ingredients are evenly blended and free of lumps.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk eggs and vegetable oil until they transform into a smooth, silky mixture.

Step 4: Sweeten the Base

Gradually fold granulated sugar into the egg mixture, stirring continuously until the batter becomes slightly fluffy and well combined.

Step 5: Create Cake Batter

Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.

Step 6: Add Texture and Flavor

• Grated carrots
• Chopped pecans

Distribute these ingredients evenly throughout the batter for a delightful crunch and natural sweetness.

Step 7: Prepare for Baking

Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to spread it smoothly and create an even surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool Down

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack for about an hour.

Step 10: Whip Up Cream Cheese Frosting

Use an electric mixer to cream together softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.

Step 11: Create Smooth Frosting

Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, beating until the frosting becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 12: Frost the Cake

Once the cake has cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly across the top.

Step 13: Drizzle Caramel

Create a decorative pattern by drizzling caramel sauce over the frosted cake.

Step 14: Add Final Touches

Sprinkle additional chopped pecans over the caramel sauce to enhance texture and visual appeal.

Step 15: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the cake for 30 minutes to allow the frosting to set and the flavors to meld together before serving.

Tips To Make Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake Pop

• Master Moisture Management: Squeeze excess liquid from grated carrots to prevent a soggy cake and ensure perfect texture.
• Prevent Pecan Sinking: Lightly coat chopped pecans in flour before adding to batter to help them distribute evenly and prevent settling at the bottom.
• Frosting Finesse: Ensure cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for smoother, lump-free frosting that spreads easily.
• Caramel Drizzle Technique: Warm caramel sauce slightly before drizzling to create elegant, thin lines that enhance cake presentation.
• Storage Savvy: Store cake in refrigerator for up to 5 days, covering loosely with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.

New Styles Of Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake To Try

• Tropical Carrot Cake: Replace pecans with toasted macadamia nuts and add crushed pineapple to the batter for a Hawaiian-inspired version with sweet, tangy notes.
• Chocolate Chip Carrot Cake: Mix semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter and replace caramel sauce with chocolate ganache for a rich, decadent alternative.
• Gluten-Free Carrot Cake: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same moist texture and delicious flavor profile.
• Spiced Rum Carrot Cake: Add a splash of dark rum to the batter and incorporate rum-soaked raisins for an adult-friendly version with deep, warm undertones.

Tasty Sips And Sides For Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake

• Brew Spiced Chai Latte: Complement the cake's warm spices with a creamy, aromatic chai that echoes the cinnamon and nutmeg notes.
• Pour Vanilla Bean Bourbon: Smooth, sweet bourbon highlights the caramel's richness and provides a sophisticated adult beverage pairing.
• Serve Cream Cheese Gelato: Create a decadent dessert experience by matching the cake's frosting flavor profile with a complementary frozen treat.
• Pair Cinnamon Whiskey: Intensify the cake's warm spices with a spirited drink that amplifies the dessert's deep, comforting flavors.

How To Store Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake Just Right

• Place cake in an airtight container, covering loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Keep cake at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days if the environment is cool and dry, ensuring minimal humidity exposure.
• Wrap individual cake slices or entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, storing for up to 3 months with minimal flavor loss.
• Remove frozen cake from freezer and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then bring to room temperature before serving to maintain optimal texture and taste.

Questions About Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake? We’ve Got Answers

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of pecans?

Absolutely! Walnuts work great as a substitute and provide a similar crunchy texture to the cake.

• How do I know if the cake is fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, your cake is perfectly done.

• Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can replace regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to create a gluten-free version of this delicious cake.

• Can I prepare the cake batter ahead of time?

While it’s best to bake immediately after mixing, you can prepare the dry and wet ingredients separately and combine just before baking to save time.

Caramel Pecan Carrot Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours and 10-15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent caramel pecan carrot cake delivers a symphony of sweet and nutty flavors that dance across your palate. Rich cream cheese frosting and toasted pecans elevate this classic dessert into a memorable culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup vegetable oil

Sweeteners and Spices:

• 1.5 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Frosting and Topping:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup caramel sauce
• 1/2 cup additional chopped pecans for topping

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
2. Sift together flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs and vegetable oil until smooth and well combined.
4. Gradually fold granulated sugar into the egg mixture, stirring continuously until fully incorporated and slightly fluffy.
5. Gently fold dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined without overmixing.
6. Carefully incorporate grated carrots and chopped pecans into the batter, distributing evenly throughout.
7. Pour cake batter into prepared pan, spreading smoothly with a spatula to create an even surface.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack for approximately 1 hour.
10. Using an electric mixer, cream together softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
11. Gradually add powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, beating until smooth and creamy.
12. Once cake has cooled, spread cream cheese frosting evenly across the top.
13. Drizzle caramel sauce over the frosted cake in a decorative pattern.
14. Sprinkle additional chopped pecans over the caramel sauce for added texture and visual appeal.
15. Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes before serving to allow frosting to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Prevent overmixing the batter to maintain a light, tender cake texture by stirring just until ingredients are combined.
• Grate carrots finely and pat them dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making the cake soggy.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend and add xanthan gum for better structure.
• Toast pecans before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 50 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg