A deep-flavored, moist cake with carrots and walnuts in every bite. A simple dusting of powdered sugar tops this comforting carrot walnut cake.
Out of all of the delectable desserts on our little website, you’ll never guess what recipe gets more rave reviews than the others. It’s a simple, little humble snack cake that you may have just passed over because it is not dripping with chocolate, sticky with caramel or oozing out creme filling. It’s our Apple Walnut Cake. You all love that cake because it is so moist and full of apple flavor in each bite.
This is our carrot cake version of that simple snack cake. I never think that carrot cake is something I love that much, but seriously…I couldn’t keep my hands off this cake.
❤️ Why you’ll love this cake:
- makes a small 8×8 cake
- full of carrots and nuts
- no frosting needed
- only 10 minutes prep time
It makes me happy when cakes include veggies and nuts, because carrots and walnuts = healthy, so this cake is healthy, right? You know you like my thinking.
Tips for Making Carrot Walnut Cake
- I also used all brown sugar in order to make the cake as moist as possible. I love using brown sugar in baking for the deep flavor and texture it gives my cakes, cookies and muffins.
- Carrot cakes have to include freshly grated carrots, which also makes for a tender cake. My favorite way to quickly chop veggies is my little Ninja Express Chop. I don’t know what I’d do without this little kitchen tool. It’s used at nearly every mealtime in our house. Yes, it’s an extra tool to wash, but a 15-second rinse is much easier than 5 minutes of chopping by hand.
- Use canola oil, vegetable oil, or for a boost of flavor, coconut oil. Melt the coconut oil before adding it to the batter.
- This recipe calls for just one teaspoon of cinnamon. Add more cinnamon, or add a dash of nutmeg if you’d like to add more flavor.
- Mix the batter until the flour is completely mixed in, but don’t overmix.
- Mix this cake by hand. There’s no need to pull out a mixer for this easy cake recipe.
- Add in raisins, dates or coconut if you’d like.
Can I frost this cake?
Although a dusting of powdered sugar is the perfect pairing for this cake, you can add frosting if you’d like. Try our powdered sugar glaze or our favorite cream cheese frosting. Yum!
Carrot Walnut Cake
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- dash salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling on top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a small bowl, combine the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix well.
- Add the baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix until combined.
- Mix in the flour, stirring until the flour is fully incorporated in.
- Fold in the carrots and walnuts.
- Spray an 8×8 baking pan with cooking spray. Spread the batter in the prepared pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35-37 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Once the cake has cooled, sprinkle powdered sugar on top and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Other Carrot Cake Recipes
- Carrot Cake Bars
- Carrot Cake Pancakes
- Carrot Cake Trifle
- Coconut Carrot Bread
- Amish Friendship Carrot Cake
- Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake
- Cream Cheese Carrot Cake Bars
Tools to Make This Cake
- Saigon Cinnamon: This is our favorite cinnamon. You can’t beat its flavor!
- Cute 8×8 Baking Pan: For brownies…or snack cakes!
- Ninja Express Chop: Mini food processor…this is one of my most-used kitchen tools!
This cake looks delicious and so does the apple walnut cake that you mentioned. I adore those big chunks of apple that are throughout the cake. I do like carrot cake a lot!
I saw this recipe this morning and I’ve been thinking of it all day! I’m a carrot cake fan and this looks good for any time of day (or night)! And the topping! Yum!
A good carrot cake is one of my favorites! This one sounds so amazing with the walnuts!
What a lovely cake! I am definitely a carrot cake fan, but it’s something I just don’t make nearly often enough. Your recipe looks perfect and since there’s carrot and walnut in there, I’d probably be tempted to even sneak a piece of it for breakfast! 🙂
There is definitely some thing to be said for a really good snack cake, and now I’m tempted to try both your carrot and apple versions!
There’s nothing better than a perfectly moist snack cake! I’m sure the Apple Walnut is just as good as this one! Pinned 🙂
This carrot cake looks so good! I am not a crazy carrot cake lover, but my sister swears by it (and probably loves the cream cheese frosting that usually goes on top!) Will have to try this!
I adore carrot cake. My first and favorite version is from The Commissary, a now-defunct restaurant in Philly. But it has too many steps and frosting as well as filling – this looks like a great quick version with the same moist and carrot-filled interior. Can’t wait to try it.
Yes! It doesn’t need to be dripping with goodness to be amazing! This cake sounds delicious!
I love a good snack cake that’s not dripping with frosting. A snack cake that isn’t too fussy and can be enjoyed either with a cup of coffee in the morning or a cup of tea in the afternoon is perfection. This one looks and sounds like the perfect snack cake and carrot cake is my all-time favorite.
Sounds really good – thank you.
Love carrot cake and this looks so moist! Gotta love Mazola Corn oil!
This could definitely be on my Easter menu. Welcome spring and all things yummy! Thanks for sharing. Pinning for sure!
This looks absolutely delicious!
Hi, would like to ask if the cake need to be refrigerated if we do not consume on the same day?
Excellent recipe, love the smaller size as it’s just me and my husband now. I followed the recipe but also added about a 1/4 cup of raisins. Instead of sprinkling with powdered sugar I drizzled with a powdered sugar drizzle, although I don’t think it even needed that. I tasted it warm out of the oven and thought ok this is good, tasted it again after it thoroughly cooled and oh my it’s delicious. Moist, lightly spiced and not too sweet. I’ve saved this one!
Hi lovely recipe. Tried this out . But cake was crumbling when I cut it. But taste was awesome. Don’t know where I went wrong but will bake it again as taste was awesome
Great recipe I have made several times now and it turns out gorgeous and moist. Before baking, I top with chopped walnuts and sprinkle a little raw sugar for a textural crunchy topping. Thank you for sharing a winning recipe.
Made this last night. It was quick and easy and absolutely delicious.
I am sure I will make this again and again. We can’t stop eating it! Thank you.
Hey, can i bake it into a loaf?
350 temp f or c
I’ve made this twice – so good. I substitute pecans for the walnuts because that is what I had on hand. Definitely keeping in the rotation.
My boyfriend and I really liked this. Perfect dessert to go with your afternoon coffee 🥰
The best carrot cake ever. I do it for my kids and bring some to work every now and then and my colleagues love it!
I use 1/2 or 3/4 cups of brown sugar instead of 1 cup and still taste amazing, normally 1/2 when I do it for my kids
i made this cake and the results were tremendous. i added 1/4 milk to the given recipe . this is by far my favourite cake so far. thank you Lizzy! carrot walnut cake rocks!