copycat cracker barrel carrot cake recipe

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Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time : 10 min

Total Time: 20 min

Cracker Barrel carrot cake recipe Ingredients

Yield: 12 servings (One 9×13-inch cake or two 9-inch round cake layers)

carrot cake

  Cream Cheese Frosting

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Cracker barrel carrot cake recipe ingredients

How to Make Cracker Barrel Carrot Cake

Making this Cracker Barrel carrot cake recipe is easier than you might expect. Take your time, follow each step, and before long, you’ll have a beautifully baked carrot cake that’s ready to be topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. I’ll also share a few helpful tips along the way to help you get the best results every time.

Prepare the Oven and Cake Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two 9-inch round cake pans (or one 9×13-inch baking pan) with butter or nonstick cooking spray, then line the bottoms with parchment paper if desired. This extra step makes removing the cakes much easier after baking.

Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground cloves, and salt until everything is evenly combined. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps distribute the spices and leavening agents throughout the batter.

mixing the dry ingredients

Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Stir in the crushed pineapple with its juice, making sure everything is evenly incorporated.

cracker barrel carrot cake step 3

Make the Batter

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. Avoid overmixing, as it can make the cake denser than desired.

cracker barrel carrot cake step 4

Fold in the Carrots and Mix-Ins

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the freshly grated carrots, shredded coconut, chopped walnuts, and raisins until they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. The batter will be thick, which is exactly what you want.

cracker barrel carrot cake step 5

Bake the Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.

cracker barrel carrot cake step 6

Cool Completely

Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10–15 minutes, then carefully transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Allow them to cool completely before adding the frosting. Frosting a warm cake can cause it to melt and slide off.

cracker barrel carrot cake step 7

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, then add the vanilla extract and continue beating until the frosting is light, fluffy, and easy to spread.

Assemble and Frost the Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread an even layer of cream cheese frosting over the top. Add the second layer, then frost the top and sides of the cake. For a finishing touch, sprinkle chopped walnuts over the top if you’d like. Slice, serve, and enjoy.

Cracker Barrel Carrot cake ready to serve

Recipe Progress Checklist

Check off each step as you complete it

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need a kitchen full of fancy gadgets to make this Cracker Barrel carrot cake recipe. Just a few basic baking tools are all it takes to help everything come together smoothly.

  • Two 9-inch round cake pans (or one 9×13-inch baking pan) – For baking the cake.
  • Large mixing bowl – To combine the cake batter.
  • Medium mixing bowl – Perfect for mixing the dry ingredients.
  • Box grater – Freshly grated carrots give the cake the best texture and moisture.
  • Measuring cups and spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Whisk – Helps evenly combine the dry ingredients.
  • Rubber spatula – Makes it easy to fold the batter and scrape down the bowl.
  • Electric hand mixer or stand mixer – Creates a smooth, fluffy cream cheese frosting.
  • Wire cooling rack – Allows the cake layers to cool evenly before frosting.
  • Offset spatula or icing knife – Helps spread the frosting smoothly for a clean finish.

Nutrition Per Serving

Nutrient

Per Serving

Calories

~300 kcal

Total Fat

~12 g

Saturated Fat

~7 g

Cholesterol

~120 mg

Sodium

~600 mg

Total Carbohydrates

~38 g

Dietary Fiber

~1 g

Total Sugars

~9 g

Protein

~9 g

Ingredients Swap

I prefer from-scratch version because I love the texture it gives these pancakes, but you can still get a good, fluffy stack with these twaeks.

No butter milk

For a quick substitute, mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with each cup of milk. Give it about 5 minutes to sit, then use it just like buttermilk in the recipe. Make sure your milk is not ice cold when you mix everything together.

Cornmeal instead of flour 

You can also add fine cornmeal to the batter by replacing about ½ cup of the flour. I prefer keeping some all-purpose flour in the mix because it helps keep the pancakes light and tender. If your cornmeal is coarse, give it a quick pulse in a blender or food processor first for a finer texture.

Recipe with Bisquick

And if you’ve got Bisquick in the pantry, that’s also fine.Since Bisquick already contains flour, leavening, salt, and fat, use it in place of the flour and adjust the other dry ingredients rather than adding everything as written in the recipe.

Expert Tips for the Best Carrot Cake

Every time I bake this Cracker Barrel carrot cake recipe, I follow these simple tips to make sure it turns out just right. They’re small details, but they can make a big difference in the texture, flavor, and overall result.

  • Grate your own carrots. Freshly grated carrots add more moisture and blend into the batter much better than pre-shredded carrots.
  • Mix the batter just until combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense instead of soft and tender.
  • Use room-temperature ingredients. Eggs, cream cheese, and butter mix together more smoothly, giving you a more even batter and creamy frosting.
  • Don’t drain the crushed pineapple. The juice adds extra moisture and helps create the soft texture this cake is known for.
  • Cool the cake completely before frosting. Even a slightly warm cake can cause the cream cheese frosting to soften and slide.
  • Toast the walnuts for extra flavor. A few minutes in the oven brings out their natural richness and adds a delicious crunch.
  • Measure the flour correctly. Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife instead of scooping directly from the bag. Too much flour can make the cake dry.
  • Cover any leftover cake well. This helps the cake stay soft and prevents the cream cheese frosting from drying out while it’s stored.

You can Serve with

This Cracker Barrel carrot cake recipe is the perfect way to end a comforting, homestyle meal. Serve it after family favorites like Cracker Barrel Meatloaf, Chicken and Dumplings, or Country Fried Steak for a restaurant-inspired dinner at home. It also pairs beautifully with classic sides such as Hashbrown Casserole, Mac and Cheese, and warm Cracker Barrel Biscuits.

For holidays and special occasions, dress up each slice with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts, a light dusting of ground cinnamon, or a few delicate carrot ribbons. Pair it with a hot cup of coffee, a glass of cold milk, or your favorite hot tea for a simple dessert everyone will look forward to.

Storage Instructions

If you have any leftover carrot cake, storing it properly will help keep it fresh and delicious for days. Follow these simple storage tips to enjoy every slice just as much as the first.

  • Cover the cake tightly or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Since the frosting is made with cream cheese, the cake should always be refrigerated.
  • Wrap the whole cake or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil or place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

My thoughts

It’s unforgettable! a slice of moist carrot cake topped with rich cream cheese frosting, especially when it reminds you of a favorite Cracker Barrel meal.

If you’ve ever wished you could recreate that same bakery-style dessert at home, you’re in the right place.

After testing different ingredient combinations and baking times in my own kitchen, I finally landed on a Cracker Barrel carrot cake recipe that my family now requests for birthdays, holidays, and Sunday dinners.

It’s incredibly moist, warmly spiced, and finished with a smooth, creamy frosting that tastes just like a homemade Southern classic.

FAQs

The secret is using moisture-rich ingredients like freshly grated carrots, vegetable oil, and crushed pineapple with its juice. Together, they create a soft, tender cake that stays moist long after it’s baked.

Absolutely! In fact, I think it tastes even better the next day. Baking the cake a day in advance gives the flavors more time to develop, and the cream cheese frosting sets beautifully in the refrigerator.

Yes. Because this cake is topped with cream cheese frosting, it should be stored in the refrigerator. Just take it out about 20–30 minutes before serving so the frosting has time to soften slightly.

This usually happens if the cake is underbaked, the oven door is opened too early, or the batter is overmixed. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.

Yes. Divide the batter evenly among lined muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, then let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

❤️ Did You Make This carrot cake?

I’d love to hear how your Cracker Barrel carrot cake turned out!

⭐ Leave a star rating below and share your experience in the comments.

If you snapped a photo, tag @crackerbarrelrecipes on Instagram.

Happy baking! 🍎🥧

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I’m Kim Nguyen, a former Cracker Barrel cook who loves sharing the kind of comforting, homestyle food that brings folks together. My time working in the Cracker Barrel kitchen taught me that simple ingredients, careful preparation, and a few good cooking tips can make all the difference.

Here, I share Cracker Barrel-inspired recipes that are easy to follow and made with everyday home cooks in mind. From breakfast to dessert, my goal is to help you recreate those familiar comfort-food favorites and bring a little Southern warmth to your own kitchen.