World’s Best Carrot Cake
Hundreds of have spoken…this is The World’s Best Carrot Cake! Layers of moist flavor filled cake with coconut, crushed pineapple, carrots, spices, and nuts come together with a delectable cream cheese frosting.

I felt like I needed to add more veggies to my diet, so I made my favorite carrot cake! Ummm… Heck yeah! I’m happy to report that about three more slices of this baby and my eyesight should be back to normal!
I’m obsessed with this carrot cake recipe! It truly is the “World’s Best Carrot Cake”! That is no exaggeration. This recipe ALWAYS receives rave reviews! (It makes me look good!)
It’s the perfect balance of everything I love! This cake is bursting with flavor and ultra moist, but not overly sweet like some traditional carrot cakes.
How To Make The World’s BEST Carrot Cake
First you are going to place your wet ingredients into the mixer and blend.

Next add your dry ingredients and mix.

Then add your carrots, pineapple, coconuts and lastly the nuts and mix again. (Nuts are optional)

When you have blended all the ingredients together you’ll have a very thin batter like pictured below.
Grease and flour three 8-inch cake pans, or you can do two 8-9 inch cake pans too. I wanted a three layer cake with thinner layers because I love how this cake looks with three layers. It’s a personal choice and totally up to you!
Tip: I only had two cake pans, so I baked two, and then did the third after the first one had slightly cooled, and I could invert it onto my cake plate.

Once you have baked your cakes in a 350-degree oven for about 30–40 minutes, place on a cooling rack and allow them to completely cool in the pans!

The reason for this… remember how I said this cake is “moist”…it’s really moist! I placed mine face down on a cooling rack the first time, and had to carefully lift mine with two spatulas. (It’s a nightmare you don’t wanna live through! Trust me!) Place your cake pan up against your cake plate and invert.
Use your favorite cream cheese recipe (I’ll include mine… I promise) Frost the tops of each cake layer.

I love that this cake is only frosted between the layers. You could go around the outside if you really want to, but Mars and I are not huge frosting fans so this method of just frosting in between the layers and on top is perfect for us.
I don’t do a ton of frosting either, just a nice medium layer. Again this is a personal choice. You can do whatever floats your boat! (Don’t take all your baking advice from me! Lol I’m the lady eating cake to get her vegetable count in!) (wink, wink)

Here is the finished cake. I didn’t go all fancy with piping frosting around the edges or adding any garnish. I really believe sometimes more is just that…more! Not necessarily better.
This cake is so beautiful on its own! It doesn’t need all that “Froufrou”! (I hate my kitchen table and am re-doing it soon!!! Just in case you were wondering.)

I do think it deserves a moment of silence…. ticktock…tick-tock….
Okay… enough of that! Let’s get to the good part…the eatin’! Ooooh…so super moist and so yummy! Makes eatin’ your veggies a divine pleasure!
One bite, and you can feel yourself start to elevate to new heights! (I said “heights” not “weight”! This cake has fruit and veggies it cancels out all calories!… You’re Welcome! Lol)

I made this for dessert the other night and my kids… who both told me they don’t usually like carrot cake…loved it! Mars, who has always “Passed” on my carrot cake, asked for a slice and then proceeded to “ewww and ahhhh” and ask me why he’s never tried it before? (Mmmmm… That’s a question only the other Martians can answer! Us Venusians eat any carb covered in frosting!)
Here are some other great Cake Recipes
- Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- The Best Dark Chocolate Cake with Creamy Chocolate Buttercream
- Cake Mix Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Best Vanilla Cake with Special Buttercream frosting
- Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese frosting
- Best Pound Cake Recipe from Julia’s Simply Southern
The printable recipe is located below.
If you try this recipe… I’d REALLY love to hear from you! I want to know if you love this splendid carrot cake as much as I do.
Have a GREAT day! Happy Veggie Eatin’!


World’s Best Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup flaked coconut
- 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple with juice
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two or three 8 inch pans, depending on if you are doing a two layer or three layer cake. You can make either two thicker 8 inch cakes or three thinner layers. It’s up to you and the desired look you’re trying to achieve.
- In your mixer bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla. mix well.
- Add in your flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix till well blended.
- Next add your carrots, coconut, crushed pineapple with juice and chopped walnuts. Mix till just blended.
- Pour into prepared 8 inch cake rounds, bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Check to see if done. If finger lightly pressed in center bounces back it is done.
- Allow to cool in cake pans. Invert onto cake plate and frost each layer.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 lb. powdered sugar
- Beat the butter and cream cheese until nice and fluffy. Add in the vanilla and sifted powdered sugar and beat until nice and smooth. Test the consistency of the frosting. Too thin? Add powdered sugar 2 Tablespoons at a time. Too thick? Add a teaspoon of milk at a time.
Nutrition
Meet The Author
Hi! I'm Norine, the cook, baker, and recipe creator behind Norine's Nest. I love sharing and creating recipes that invite family, friends, and neighbors to gather around the dinner table. Sharing good food and creating memories with those we love brings me happiness. Thanks for stopping by my Nest!
Could you use this recipe for cupcakes?
Hi Jennifer!
YES! It makes GREAT cupcakes! It’s been awhile since I’ve made this recipe into cupcakes…but if I remember right it will make about 36.
Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Norine
Is it possible to make this cake without the pineapple? My mom says she doesn’t like the pineapple in her carrot cake. I see most call for the pineapple. If I leave it out what do I need to adjust? Thank you, new member June
Hi June!
So sorry for the delayed response. We’ve been moving my son and it’s been a bit crazy around here! You can omit the pineapple. I wouldn’t worry too much about it not being in the cake, with the exception of moisture content. In all honesty though, I’ve hand numerous readers omit the the pineapple with no adjustments and tell me it’s turned out great! I think it’s going to be find, but if I was really worried about it, I’d add a 1/4 coup of buttermilk just to give some added moisture to the cake.
Hope that helps! Enjoy the cake!
Norine
Hi Noreen! I’m going to be making this for a joint birthday party for my dad and I! Can I make it in 2 x 9” round pans rather than 2 or 3 x 8” rounds? What would you suggest as a cooking time for the 9” pans? Thanks in advance! Have a great day!!
Hi Karen!
Sorry I’ve been gone on vacation and just getting back to my office. I needed to “unplug” for a few days. You can make this in almost any size pan. Even a bundt pan. I would add about 5 minutes to the cook time, but check it at the regular time as this cake bakes very quickly! I’m having a birthday party this weekend too. Now I’m thinking I should make this cake! A Happy Birthday to you and your Dad!
Thanks for stopping by!
Norine
Hello! I can never find buttermilk in Mexico, what can I substitute it for?
Hi Analia!
You can do a couple of things. You can substitute 1 cup plain yogurt for 1 cup of buttermilk. 1 Cup of butter milk is equal to 3/4 cup a sour cream with 1/4 cup milk or you can do 1 cup of milk + 1 Tablespoon of either Lemon Juice or White Vinegar.
Hope this helps! Enjoy the cake!
Norine
I made the cake as stated.
Sadly the cake lacked a depth of spices and it was extremely oily.
Thanks for posting.
Hi Linda!
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this cake. It is truly one of my favorite cakes. You could certainly add more spice and as far as it being too oily, I personally have never found that to be the case, but everyone has different tastes. I hope you’ll come back and try other recipes. Thanks for your feedback! It is always appreciated.
Norine
Hello,
I think I made this last year for my daughter’s birthday and it was a huge hit! Do you think I can substitute cake flour for the A/P flour. I have every kind of flour but A/P! Thank you.
Hi Marilynn!
Yes you should be able to substitute cake flour without any issues in this recipe. This is such a forgiving recipe and it should be just fine. Enjoy and savie a slice for me!
Happy Nesting!
Norine
I made this for Sunday dessert and OMG it was delicious. My family isnt shy about telling me if its not good but they all loved it Even the 4 yr old picky eater.
Hi Pauline!
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed this cake! When I get the stamp of approval from a 4 year old…my day is made! I know how picky they can be! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with me. Have a great day!
Norine
It come out extremely delicious cake fist time .
I’m so glad! This tends to be a forgiving recipe. I’m so glad you enjoyed this cake. It’s my favorite.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Come back soon.
Norine
Are the walnuts optional in this recipe?
Hi Susan!
Yes! 100% optional! Won’t affect the outcome at all. Enjoy!
Norine
My adult son asks for this cake every January for his birthday and I’m happy to make it because I love it too! I’ll be making it again for Easter. Thanks Norine!
Hi Lisa!
This makes my heart happy! I’m so glad your son likes this recipe. I love to make this cake for Easter too. Hope your son had a wonderful birthday!
Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Norine