• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Contact
  • Dessert
  • Main Dish
  • Breakfast
  • Appetizers/Snacks
  • Drinks
  • Salad
  • Bread

Dance Around the Kitchen

  • Recipes By Course
  • Recipes By Ingredient
  • Popular Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Recipe Index
  • Recipes By Course
  • Recipes By Ingredient
  • Popular Recipes
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    March 20, 2020

    Carrot Cake Sheet Cake

    • Share
    • Tweet

    This moist Carrot Cake Sheet Cake is topped with a layer of silky smooth cream cheese frosting. It's got all the characteristics of a layered carrot cake, but in a much simpler, less intimidating sheet cake form!

    Jump to Recipe
    Carrot Cake Sheet Cake being scooped out of pan

    If pumpkin bars are a thing, why aren't carrot bars a thing?? I mean really.... pumpkin desserts and carrot cake have very similar flavor profiles. Pumpkin bars are SO popular in the fall, so as Easter rolls around, I began to wonder if we could do the same with carrot cake!

    After some experimenting in the kitchen and a few packages of carrots later, I'm so excited to share the recipe with you! It's got a moist cinnamon-y cake and a smooth cream cheese frosting on top. I've kept it nut-free and raisin-free (your kids will thank you!), but you can certainly add those if you'd like! (See notes in recipe)

    I thought "carrot bars" seemed a little odd name for some reason, so I went with Carrot Cake Sheet Cake. But then again, who cares what it's called when it tastes this good!!! Enjoy! 🙂

    Cream Cheese Frosting with carrot candies on top

    How do you make carrot cake from scratch?

    Why is it that carrot cake seems to be a bit intimidating? Is it because we typically see it in layer cake form? Either way, there's really nothing super difficult or technical about making a carrot cake (or carrot cake sheet cake for that matter)!

    I always start by prepping my carrots. You'll simply cut the leafy stems off, peel and grate the carrots. I do NOT recommend using the bagged pre-shredded carrots. They're just not the same (they're dry and too big)!

    Once the carrots are ready, the rest goes really quickly. You'll combine the wet ingredients, add in the carrots, then stir in the dry ingredients. When the batter is ready, you'll pour it into a greased sheet cake pan and bake!

    Carrot Cake Sheet Cake slices on a metal tray

    When the cake comes out of the oven, you want to make sure it's completely cool before frosting it. For the frosting, you'll beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and fluffy. Then the powdered sugar and vanilla is added until nice and smooth. Spread over the cake carefully, being sure not to tear the cake.

    How do you decorate a sheet cake?

    You can top the cake however you'd like! Here's a couple ideas...

    • A little candy carrots to each piece, which would be perfect for Easter! (This is what I did for these photos)
    • If you like pecans with your carrot cake, you can sprinkle chopped pecans on top. (If you have time to toast them first, that'll add even more flavor!)
    • As with any cake, sprinkles are always a good option, too!! 🙂
    Carrot Cake Sheet cake on a fork
    Doesn't this make you want a bite??!

    How do you prepare the carrots for the Carrot Cake Sheet Cake?

    First off, you'll want to make sure you purchase whole carrots - NOT baby carrots or pre-shredded carrots. Once you have your whole carrots, here's how to prepare them for the recipe:

    1. Cut the carrot tops off.
    2. Peel the carrots.
    3. Grate the carrots.

    Super simple.....easy as 1, 2, 3, right? 🙂

    Stack of two Carrot Cake Sheet Cake pieces

    Try these cakes, too!

    • Berry Cheesecake Poke Cake
    • Twinkie Cake
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Texas Sheet Cake
    • Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen! 

    Sheet Cake

    Carrot Cake Sheet Cake

    kelsey
    Moist carrot cake is covered in a silky smooth cream cheese frosting for a simple, yet absolutely delicious dessert!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate this Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 24

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 c flour
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 tsp baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 c vegetable oil
    • 1 c sugar
    • 1 c brown sugar
    • 4 eggs
    • ½ c applesauce
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 3 c shredded carrots

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 1 8 oz pkg cream cheese softened
    • 3 tablespoon butter softened
    • 3 c powdered sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a sheet pan (18" x 13").
    • In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon; set aside.
    • In a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, combine the oil, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, applesauce and vanilla; add the shredded carrots and mix well.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined (don't overmix).
    • Pour into prepared sheet pan and spread evenly.
    • Bake for 24-28 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean. (A few moist crumbs are fine, but you don't want it to be gooey). Let cool completely.
    • Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy.  Beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth.
    • Spread the frosting over the cooled carrot cake. Decorate with sprinkles, pecans, or little candy carrots.
    • Store the finished cake in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    If you'd like a little crunch, add 1 cup toasted pecans into the batter before baking!  
    If you like raisins in your carrot cake, add ½ cup raisins (regular or golden) into the batter before baking!
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

    More Dessert

    • Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
    • Buttermilk Cookies
    • Chocolate Kiss Cookies
    • Almond Brownies
    • Share
    • Tweet
    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Crack Corn Dip
    • Gyro Dip
    • Walking Taco Casserole
    • Peanut Butter Dipped Oreos

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    SEEN ON

    as seen on promo graphic

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Dance Around the Kitchen