Chocolate Carrot Cake Recipe
Chocolate Carrot Cake Recipe combines rich cocoa and sweet grated carrots into a moist, flavorful dessert. The cake’s tender texture and melted chocolate chips create a delightful bite. Cream cheese frosting, enhanced by cocoa powder, adds a creamy, tangy finish. This recipe offers a unique twist on traditional carrot cake, delivering a delicious balance of chocolate and spice in every slice.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or whisk
- Grater (for carrots)
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 9-inch round cake pan
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
For The Cake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1⅓ cups finely grated carrots
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips divided
- ¼ cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
- ½ teaspoon salt
For The Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Splash of heavy cream or milk to achieve silky texture
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat The Oven And Get The Pan Ready
- Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9-inch round cake pan, lightly grease it, and line the bottom with parchment paper so the cake comes out easily later.
Step 2: Mix Up The Dry Stuff
- In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder, salt, and a bit of ground cinnamon. Set that aside for now.
Step 3: Whisk The Wet Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, melted butter, and vegetable oil until everything’s smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
- Stir the grated carrots into your wet ingredients. Then slowly fold in the dry mix just until it’s all combined. Don’t over mix. Add in half a cup of chocolate chips and save the rest for the top.
Step 5: Time To Bake
- Pour the batter into your prepared cake pan and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick poked in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Make The Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until it’s smooth and fluffy. Sift in the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, and mix until it all comes together. Add a splash of vanilla extract and a little milk or cream just enough to make it silky and spreadable. Taste it and adjust the sweetness or add a pinch of salt if needed.
Step 7: Frost And Finish
- Once the cake has completely cooled, spread the frosting over the top. If you want to get fancy, sprinkle on some extra chocolate chips, shaved chocolate, or a light dusting of cocoa powder.