Jamie Oliver Carrot Cake is a moist, flavorful cake packed with grated carrots, warm spices, and a touch of sweetness. This classic carrot cake is topped with a creamy frosting, making it the perfect dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering or a special treat, this easy recipe delivers a beautifully spiced and deliciously moist cake that everyone will love.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
- Moist and flavorful: Grated carrots make this cake incredibly moist, while the blend of spices adds warmth and depth.
- Simple ingredients: It uses pantry staples like flour, sugar, eggs, and oil, along with fresh carrots.
- Perfect for celebrations: This cake is ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any time you want to impress with a homemade dessert.
- Easy to make: With straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can confidently make this delicious cake.
- Topped with cream cheese frosting: The creamy frosting perfectly complements the sweetness of the cake, making it a real crowd-pleaser.
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What is Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake Recipe?
Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake is a moist, spiced cake made with grated carrots, flavored with cinnamon, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s a classic recipe that combines sweetness with the earthy flavor of carrots, creating a cake that’s both comforting and indulgent.
Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake Recipe Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 250g carrots (grated)
- 150g light brown sugar
- 150g self-raising flour
- 2 large eggs
- 125ml vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch of salt
- 75g walnuts (optional, chopped)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 200g cream cheese (room temperature)
- 100g unsalted butter (softened)
- 100g icing sugar (sifted)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions to Prepare Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Tin
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and light brown sugar until smooth. This forms the wet base of the cake, which helps keep it moist.
Step 4: Add the Carrots and Dry Ingredients
Stir the grated carrots into the wet ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If using walnuts, fold them in at this stage.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 6: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, sifted icing sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Frost the Cake
Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. You can also frost the sides if you prefer. For a final touch, you can sprinkle some extra chopped walnuts on top for added texture and decoration.
Step 8: Serve
Cut into slices and serve this moist, spiced carrot cake with its creamy frosting. It’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!
What to Serve with Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake
- Tea or Coffee: Serve with a warm cup of tea or coffee for a delightful afternoon treat.
- Fresh Fruit: A side of fresh berries or a fruit salad pairs nicely with the sweetness of the cake.
- Whipped Cream: For extra indulgence, serve with a dollop of whipped cream.
Expert Tips for Mastering Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake
- Grate the carrots finely: Finely grated carrots blend better into the batter, creating a smoother texture for the cake.
- Don’t overmix: Overmixing the batter can result in a denser cake. Fold the ingredients gently to keep the cake light and fluffy.
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure the eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- Let the cake cool completely: Ensure the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Variations of Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake Recipe
- Add raisins: For extra texture and sweetness, stir in a handful of raisins or sultanas.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for more warmth in the flavor.
- Make it nut-free: If you prefer a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts.
- Add citrus: For a zesty twist, add orange zest to the batter or the cream cheese frosting.
- Make it gluten-free: Substitute the self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
How to Store Leftover Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake Recipe
- Refrigeration: Store the cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The cream cheese frosting should be kept chilled.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted cake for up to 2 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving.
- Reheating: Serve the cake cold or bring it to room temperature before serving. Avoid reheating the frosted cake as the frosting may melt.
Nutrition Value (per serving)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
FAQs
Can I make Jamie Oliver’s carrot cake without cream cheese frosting?
Yes, you can skip the cream cheese frosting if you prefer. Alternatively, you can top the cake with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice, or dust it with powdered sugar for a lighter option.
How do I keep Jamie Oliver’s carrot cake moist?
To keep the carrot cake moist, make sure to not overbake it. Remove the cake from the oven as soon as a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. The grated carrots and oil also help maintain moisture in the cake.
Can I freeze Jamie Oliver’s carrot cake?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted carrot cake. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the cake in the fridge overnight before frosting and serving.
Can I make Jamie Oliver’s carrot cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can make this carrot cake gluten-free by replacing the self-raising flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains a raising agent, or by adding baking powder to regular gluten-free flour.
Final Words
Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake is a classic dessert that combines the natural sweetness of carrots with a moist, spiced cake and creamy frosting. It’s perfect for special occasions or simply as a comforting treat. With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is accessible to both beginner and experienced bakers alike.
More Jamie Oliver Recipes
- Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Chicken Lemon
- Jamie Oliver Marie Rose Sauce
- Jamie Oliver Lemon Curd Muffins
- Jamie Oliver Tiramisu Cake
Jamie Oliver Carrot Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Description
Jamie Oliver’s Carrot Cake is a moist, spiced cake made with grated carrots, flavored with cinnamon, and topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting. It’s a classic recipe that combines sweetness with the earthy flavor of carrots, creating a cake that’s both comforting and indulgent.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
-
- 250g carrots (grated)
-
- 150g light brown sugar
-
- 150g self-raising flour
-
- 2 large eggs
-
- 125ml vegetable oil
-
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
-
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
-
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
-
- 1 pinch of salt
-
- 75g walnuts (optional, chopped)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
-
- 200g cream cheese (room temperature)
-
- 100g unsalted butter (softened)
-
- 100g icing sugar (sifted)
-
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, whisk together the self-raising flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. This ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and light brown sugar until smooth. This forms the wet base of the cake, which helps keep it moist.
Stir the grated carrots into the wet ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. If using walnuts, fold them in at this stage.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, sifted icing sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Once the cake is completely cooled, spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the top. You can also frost the sides if you prefer. For a final touch, you can sprinkle some extra chopped walnuts on top for added texture and decoration.
Cut into slices and serve this moist, spiced carrot cake with its creamy frosting. It’s perfect with a cup of tea or coffee!