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You are here: Home / Dessert / Christmas Carrot Cake

Christmas Carrot Cake

November 29, 2022 by zimmysnook Leave a Comment

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An 8x8 pan with festively decorated carrot cake with a piece missing and on a plate.

Christmas Carrot Cake.

I have been making carrot cakes for decades now and they have always been a family favourite. Fun fact – I actually made two of my brothers their wedding cakes, they specifically requested carrot cakes.

What makes my carrot cakes a family favourite?

They are super moist and the not-so-secret ingredient I use is pineapple! The cream cheese icing is creamy, slightly tart and balances out the textural contrast of the cake. I have updated this recipe for Christmas slightly by replacing the black currants for tart, sweet, dried cranberries and we serve fresh pomegranate arils with each slice. That. Is. it! I did not want to mess with a winner!

A close up of a square piece of carrot cake with an 8x8 cake pan in the background.

I decreased the quantities so that it can be gifted into an 8×8 baker for the holidays. Decorate with rosemary springs, arils, then wrap it in a cellophane bag, tie it with ribbons, add an ornament, and voilà you have the most delicious homemade gift!

A gift of a carrot cake wrapped in a cellophane bag with ribbon and a bell.

Did I mention how easy this cake was to make? The prep and clean up time are minimal; the cake batter is hand mixed in large bowl and the icing is blended in a food processor.

Cooked in my Hestan Culinary OvenBond Tri-ply 8″ x 8″ Square Baker. Proud Hestan Culinary Ambassador. Opinions in this post are my own.

Watch how this easy carrot cake recipe was made here.

Can you freeze carrot cake?

Yes, you sure can! My brothers both froze some of their wedding cake for their first anniversary, but I personally would not recommend freezing it for that long!

Place the cake in the freezer or fridge until the icing hardens to touch. Then wrap the cake in plastic wrap and place in an airtight bag or container and freeze.

A top down view of a Christmas Carrot cake decorated with pomegranate arils and rosemary.
A close up of a square piece of carrot cake with cream cheese icing.

Tried this recipe?

If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.

Cheers! James and Elaine

A top down view of a Christmas Carrot cake decorated with pomegranate arils and rosemary.

Christmas Carrot Cake

What makes my carrot cakes a family favourite? It is super moist and the not-so-secret ingredient I use is pineapple! The cream cheese icing is creamy, slightly tart and balances out the textural contrast of the cake. I have updated the recipe for Christmas slightly by replacing the black currants for tart, sweet, dried cranberries and we serve fresh pomegranate arils with each slice. That is, it, I did not want to mess with a winner!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 1 hr 15 mins
Total Time 1 hr 40 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine North American
Servings 9 People

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 6 tablespoons dried cranberries chopped
  • ¾ cup chopped walnuts
  • ¾ cup crushed pineapple drained well
  • 1 ½ cups grated carrots
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 1⅛ cups vegetable oil

Icing

  • 3 tablespoons hard butter
  • ⅔ cup icing sugar
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 500 g cream cheese cubed

Decorations

  • 4 rosemary sprigs
  • 1 tablespoon Pomegranate arils or as many as desired

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  • Stir in the cranberries, walnuts, pineapple, and carrots to coat in the flour mix.
  • In a food processor, add the eggs, sugar and oil and blend until smooth.
  • Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix until just combined.
  • Pour into a greased and floured 8” x 8” baker.
  • Bake for 65-75 minutes or until an inserted knife comes our clean.
  • Place cake on rack to cool

Icing

  • Add the butter into a food processor, then sift in the icing sugar, pour in the lemon juice, and add the cream cheese. Blend until smooth and creamy.
  • Once the cake has cooled, spread the icing.

Decorate

  • Decorate with rosemary sprigs and pomegranate arils.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Video

Keyword 8 by 8 pan, 8 x 8 cake recipe, 8×8 cake, best carrot cake icing, best pineapple carrot cake, carrot and cake, carrot cake christmas, carrot cake easy recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Filed Under: Dessert, Holiday Entertaining Tagged With: 8 inch cake recipe, 8 x 8 cake, 8 x 8 pan, carrot cake easy, carrot christmas cake, Christmas dessert, quick carrot cake, recipe for 8 inch cake

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Hi, I’m James (aka Zimmy), a home chef who loves to grill year-round. In partnership with my wife Elaine, we work with and passionately promote the stories of local farmers, food producers/purveyors, as well as the products of companies who share our passion for quality, innovation and design.

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