Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting
Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a moist, spiced cake that incorporates grated carrots into the batter, often including ingredients like walnuts, raisins, and warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. It is topped with a tangy, sweet frosting made from cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar. While its exact origins are debated, it gained widespread popularity in the United States during the 1970s health food movement.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dessert is typically high in carbohydrates and fat, primarily from the sugar, oil, and cream cheese frosting, while the carrots provide some fiber, vitamin A, and potassium. A standard slice generally ranges from 400 to 600 calories, depending on the recipe and portion size.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 430 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 38 g |
| Sodium | 310 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 65 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Potassium | 180 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg |
| Folate | 40 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 80 mg |
Per 1 slice (120 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, carrot cake's rise in popularity is often linked to a historical misconception that it was a healthy alternative due to its vegetable content, despite its rich ingredients. Nutritionally, it's unique for being a dessert where a vegetable is a primary ingredient, contributing moisture and natural sweetness rather than just texture.
