This is one of our family’s best recipes. My Grandmother always bragged about how easy this Carrot Sheet Cake recipe was and, until I made it, I didn’t believe her. You literally just mix everything together in one bowl and bake! If you’re a beginner baker, it’s an absolutely foolproof recipe. Traditionally, carrot cake is the perfect Easter dessert, but this cake is too good to only bake once a year. 

While there are so many different variations of carrot cake, this one keeps things simple. It has three cups of carrots along with chopped walnuts. It doesn’t use to many spices, because it isn’t a spice cake. It’s just a sweet and simple carrot cake recipe that serves a crowd. Like a traditional carrot cake, it’s topped with a sweet and creamy cream cheese frosting. You’ll really love how quick it comes together and how great it tastes. 

I make it as an Easter dessert and serve it on a spring themed dessert table. Pair it with other desserts that compliment the cake, but let the cake be the center of your dessert table.

Looking for even more great desserts made in a 9×13-inch baking pan? Check out some of these favorite cakes that I love:

• Fruit Cocktail Cake
• Hershey Sheet Cake
• Coca-Cola Cake

One Bowl Carrot Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

The BEST part of making this cake is the fact that the entire recipes comes together in one large mixing bowl! There’s not much clean up. The cake is baked in a 9×13-inch baking dish, which is a really common size and gives it the sheet cake shape.

What To Serve With Carrot Cake

Most people make this cake during the springtime when carrots are at the peak of their season. I love to serve my coffee cake with a fresh pot of coffee. Adding homemade vanilla ice cream definitely takes the cake to the next level. The kids always enjoy it with a glass of milk.

Tips For Making Your Carrot Cake:

• Thoroughly wash your carrots
• Remove any bad overgrown parts of the carrot
• Shred the carrots with a standing grater
• Spray your pan with non-stick cooking spray (I use one with flour for baking)

How To Keep Your Carrot Cake Fresh After Baking

For simplicity, I like to keep my carrot cake in the baking dish since mine comes with a cover. If yours doesn’t, consider using plastic wrap to keep the cake covered or transferring the cake pieces to a food storage container. For best freshness, enjoy the cake within 4-5 days of baking. Keep the cake refrigerated because of the cream cheese frosting.

Can You Freeze This Cake?

Yes! Carrot Cake freezes so well. Cover the cake with plastic wrap or transfer pieces to freezer bags. Keep the cake towards the back of the freezer where the temperature is more stable. The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Serve the individual slices and let it sit at room temperature for several minutes before enjoying.

Recipe Substitutions

If you like pecans over walnuts, feel free to use that nut instead. Or omit the nuts all together. If you aren’t a fan of cream cheese frosting, I recommend making a homemade vanilla buttercream to spread on top as a substitute.

What You Need From The Grocery Store:

• Vegetable Oil
• All-Purpose Flour
• Granulated Sugar
• Carrots
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Eggs
• Walnuts
• Cream Cheese
• Powdered Sugar
• Vanilla
• Heavy Whipping Cream

How To Make One-Bowl Carrot Sheet Cake

Preheat the oven to 325º. In a large bowl, combine all of your cake ingredients together. 

Mix well and stir until everything is combined. 

Spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Pour the cake batter into the baking pan and use a spatula to evenly spread. 

Bake for one hour at 325º. Test the center of the cake with a toothpick – it should come out clean. Let the cake cool completely.

In a medium bowl, beat together your softened cream cheese while slowing adding your powdered sugar. Add your heavy whipping cream and vanilla and beat in as well. 

Spread the cream cheese frosting over the top of your carrot sheet cake.

Toss a few extra walnuts on top for garnish. Serve immediately.