Name: Honey Bun Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: PT-486073H34M30S
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; ½ tsp salt; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp ground nutmeg; ½ tsp ground ginger; ¼ tsp ground cloves; ½ cup vegetable oil (or canola/light olive oil); ½ cup melted butter; 4 large eggs; 2 cups finely grated carrots; ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup unsalted butter, softened; 4 cups powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp ground cinnamon; 1–2 tbsp milk (optional for consistency); ½ cup chopped pecans

Description

Honey Bun Carrot Cake is a spiced, ultra-moist dessert layered with cinnamon cream cheese frosting and topped with crunchy pecans. This cozy, crowd-friendly cake brings classic carrot cake flavors together with the sweet nostalgia of a honey bun. Perfect for birthdays, gatherings, or weekend baking.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Layers:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg

½ tsp ground ginger

¼ tsp ground cloves

½ cup vegetable oil (or canola/light olive oil)

½ cup melted butter

4 large eggs

2 cups finely grated carrots

½ cup crushed pineapple, drained

1 tsp vanilla extract

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1–2 tbsp milk (optional for consistency)

Topping:

½ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease and line three 8-inch round pans with parchment paper.
In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
In another bowl, whisk oil, melted butter, and eggs until smooth. Stir in carrots, pineapple, and vanilla.
Fold wet mixture into dry ingredients just until combined. Divide into pans.
Bake 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time. Mix in vanilla and cinnamon. Thin with milk if needed.
Assemble layers with frosting between each, then cover sides and top. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

Notes

Freshly grated carrots offer more moisture and better texture.

Ensure pineapple is well-drained to avoid soggy cake.

Avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy.

For cupcakes, reduce bake time to 18–22 minutes.

Prep Time: 25 minutes + + Time (Cooling/Assembly): 45 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 620
Sugar: 52g
Protein: 5g