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Home » All Recipes » Cakes

Carrot Snack Cake

Published: Apr 4, 2026 by Marisa Bakes · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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This Carrot Snack Cake is so easy and so very delicious. It's tender and moist with a fluffy cream cheese frosting and finely chopped walnuts on top.

I'm not kidding when I say this cake is easy to make. It comes together so quickly and is baked in an 8x8 pan. The cream cheese frosting can be made in one bowl and is swirled on top.

A FEW NOTES BEFORE WE GET STARTED

  • Room Temperature Ingredients:
    • Eggs: You also want to make sure that the eggs are at room temperature to ensure that they are properly incorporated into your batter. If you forget to leave them out before you start baking, place them in a bowl of warm water for about 15 minutes until they become room temperature.
  • Measuring Your Ingredients: I strongly encourage that you use a kitchen scale to measure your ingredients and ensure that you have the most accurate measurements possible.
    • However, if you don’t have a scale on hand and will be using cup measurements, make sure to use the “spoon and sweep” method when measuring to avoid packing in too much of any dry ingredient.
  • Oven Temperature: Make sure to preheat your oven for at least 15 minutes before you start baking.
    • I recommend purchasing an oven thermometer to get to know your oven so you can adjust your baking temperatures accordingly. Some ovens run slightly warmer or colder so its important to know yours to make sure your baked goods come out right.

Preheat oven to 350º F. Squeeze out any excess juices from the carrots by squeezing them through paper towels. Set aside.

In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the sugars and oil together on medium speed until combined.

Add the eggs, one at a time, with the mixer on medium speed, and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the sour cream followed by the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add in the shredded carrots. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and mix just until it is incorporated.

Prep an 8 x 8 inch pan by coating it with cooking spray and lining it with parchment. Carefully pour the batter into the pan and smooth it out with an offset spatula. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Cool for 15 minutes on a cooling rack before gently running a knife along the edges and carefully turning the cake out. Let the cake cool completely.

    Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. With the mixer on low, slowly add in spoonfuls of powdered sugar followed by the cream. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix until light and fluffy. Spread frosting on top of the cake in an even layer. Use the back of a spoon to create extra swirls. Enjoy!

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      Carrot Snack Cake

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      This Carrot Snack Cake is so easy and so very delicious. It's tender and moist with a fluffy cream cheese frosting and finely chopped walnuts on top.

      • Author: Marisa Guerra
      • Prep Time: 35 minutes
      • Cook Time: 45
      • Total Time: 1 hour and 25 minutes
      • Yield: 9-12 slices
      • Category: Dessert

      Ingredients

      Carrot Coffee Cake

      • 180 grams (1 ½ cups) flour
      • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
      • ¾ tsp salt
      • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
      • ½ tsp nutmeg
      • pinch of cloves
      • 159 grams (¾ cup) brown sugar
      • 74 grams sugar
      • 3 eggs
      • 148 grams (¾ cup) vegetable oil
      • 127 grams sour cream
      • 185 grams finely shredded carrots

      Cream Cheese Frosting

      • 6 oz cream cheese, softened
      • 3 oz unsalted butter, softened
      • 210 grams (1 ¾ cup, 2 tbsp) powdered sugar
      • 21 grams (1 ½ tbsp) heavy cream
      • Finely chopped walnuts

      Instructions

      Carrot Snack Cake

      1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
      2. Squeeze out any excess juices from the carrots by squeezing them through paper towels. Set aside.
      3. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the sugars and oil together on medium speed until combined.
      4. Add the eggs, one at a time, with the mixer on medium speed, and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
      5. Add the sour cream followed by the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add in the shredded carrots. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed and mix just until it is incorporated.
      6. Prep an 8 x 8 inch pan by coating it with cooking spray and lining it with parchment.
      7. Carefully pour the batter into the pan and smooth it out with an offset spatula.
      8. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
      9. Cool for 15 minutes on a cooling rack before gently running a knife along the edges and carefully turning the cake out. Let the cake cool completely.

      Cream Cheese Frosting

      1. Cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
      2. With the mixer on low, slowly add in spoonfuls of powdered sugar followed by the cream.
      3. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix until light and fluffy.

      Assembly

      1. Spread frosting on top of the cake in an even layer.
      2. Use the back of a spoon to create extra swirls. Enjoy!

      Notes

      • The cake can be wrapped in plastic wrap or placed in an airtight container and chilled for several days.

      Did you make this recipe?

      Tag @marisabakes on Instagram and hashtag it #marisabakesblog

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      More Cakes

      • Mini Carrot Cake Loaves
      • Red Velvet Heart Bundt Cake
      • Eggnog Bundt Cake
      • Pumpkin Snack Cake

      Hi! I'm Marisa and welcome to Marisa Bakes where we're all about baking fun and delicious dessert recipes.

      Meet Marisa

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