Carrot cake has always been a beloved dessert, but nothing compares to the warm, comforting flavors of Grandma’s Carrot Cake. This recipe combines the sweetness of carrots with the richness of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove, creating a decadent dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With a moist, tender crumb and a creamy finish, it’s easy to see why this cake is a family favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
3 large eggs (room temperature)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups grated carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon ground clove
1 cup buttermilk
Pecans (optional, for garnishing)

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three round cake pans, setting them aside for later.
Cream the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, cream together the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and combined. Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
Add the Carrots: Gently fold in the grated carrots, ensuring that they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. The carrots bring a lovely sweetness and moisture to the cake.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground clove. These spices give the cake its signature warm flavor.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until everything is well combined, but be careful not to overwork the batter.
Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out with moist crumbs (but not wet batter). Be careful not to overbake; the cakes will continue to cook slightly as they cool.
Let It Cool: Once the cakes are done, let them cool in the pans for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Garnish and Serve: Once the cake is fully cooled, feel free to garnish with pecans if desired for an extra crunch and flavor boost.

This cake is perfect for birthdays, family gatherings, or even just a cozy afternoon treat. With its balanced sweetness, tender texture, and warm spices, Grandma’s Carrot Cake will quickly become a beloved recipe in your kitchen too. Enjoy!

Check out my Brownie Mason Jar Mix or M&M Mason Jar Cookies for more inspiration.