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Easy Skillet Carrot Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 129 reviews

This Easy Skillet Carrot Cake recipe combines a moist and flavorful spiced carrot cake baked in a cast iron skillet with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Using a blend of all-purpose and almond flours along with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom, this cake is both comforting and delicious. The skillet baking method ensures even cooking and a tender crumb, while the cream cheese frosting adds the perfect creamy sweetness to finish the dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Batter Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (canola oil as alternate)
  • 8 ounces full-fat sour cream (plain yogurt as alternate)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup finely shredded carrots (about 2 medium-sized carrots)

Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 4 ounces block-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Skillet: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray or grease a 10-inch cast iron skillet and set it aside so it’s ready for the batter.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom until well combined to ensure even distribution of the leavening and spices.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract together until smooth and pale yellow in color, indicating thorough mixing and incorporation of air.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the batter together just until combined, taking care not to overmix to keep the cake tender.
  5. Add Carrots: Fold the finely shredded carrots into the batter evenly, ensuring they are incorporated without overmixing the batter.
  6. Transfer and Smooth Batter: Pour the carrot cake batter into the prepared cast iron skillet. Use an offset spatula to smooth the surface for even baking and an attractive finish.
  7. Bake the Cake: Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating doneness.
  8. Cool Completely: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the carrot cake to cool completely in the skillet before applying frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
  9. Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  10. Add Vanilla and Sugar: Add the vanilla bean paste or extract to the butter and cream cheese mixture, then on the mixer’s lowest setting, gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until smooth and fully incorporated.
  11. Frost the Cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled carrot cake using an offset spatula for a smooth finish.
  12. Serve: Slice the cake into wedges and serve. Enjoy your moist, flavorful skillet carrot cake!

Notes

  • For a dairy-free option, substitute sour cream with plain non-dairy yogurt and use dairy-free cream cheese and butter alternatives.
  • Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for smooth frosting without lumps.
  • If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, a 9-inch round baking pan can be used instead, but baking times may vary slightly.
  • Using almond flour adds moisture and a subtle nutty flavor; you can omit or substitute with additional all-purpose flour if needed but adjust moisture accordingly.
  • The blend of warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom gives the cake a unique, aromatic flavor profile that can be customized to taste.
  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting and sliding off.

Keywords: carrot cake, skillet cake, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert, spiced cake, cast iron skillet dessert

Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/easy-skillet-carrot-cake-recipe/