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Homemade carrot cake slice with cream cheese frosting, topped with walnuts, on a decorative plate with a fork, set against a warm, inviting background.

Small Carrot Cake Recipe

A perfectly moist 6-inch small carrot cake with warm spices and creamy cream cheese frosting. Ideal for small gatherings or dessert for two to four people without leftovers.
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Cooling Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 320kcal
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • 1 6-inch round cake pan Greased and lined with parchment
  • 1 Box grater For fresh carrot grating
  • 2 Medium mixing bowls For wet and dry ingredients
  • 1 Hand mixer or whisk For mixing batter and frosting
  • 1 Cooling rack For even cooling before frosting
  • 1 Small offset spatula For spreading frosting evenly

Ingredients

For the Small Carrot Cake:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour Spoon & level method
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda Helps the cake rise
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Adds warmth
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg Enhances spice flavor
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger Adds slight zing
  • ¼ teaspoon salt Balances flavors
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil Keeps the cake moist
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar Adds sweetness
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar packed Adds depth & moisture
  • 2 large eggs room temp Helps bind ingredients
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Enhances flavor
  • 1½ cups grated carrots About 2-3 medium carrots
  • ⅓ cup chopped pecans/walnuts Optional adds crunch
  • ¼ cup raisins Optional adds sweetness

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 6 oz cream cheese softened Full-fat for best texture
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter softened Adds richness
  • 1½ cups powdered sugar Sweetens & thickens
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adds flavor
  • pinch salt Balances sweetness

Instructions

  • Grease pan and grate carrots
  • Mix dry ingredients
  • Whisk oil, sugars, eggs, vanilla
  • Combine wet and dry ingredients
  • Fold in carrots and nuts
  • Pour batter into pan
  • Bake at 350°F for 25-30 min
  • Cool cake completely
  • Beat cream cheese, butter, and sugar
  • Spread frosting on cake

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 320kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 5000IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 1mg