If you're looking for the best homemade carrot cake recipe, you've gotta try this Old Fashioned Carrot Cake recipe with Pineapple! It's moist, just the right amount of sweet!
A warm blend of spices, subtle pineapple chunks and of course, tender carrots make the most flavorful carrot cake, topped with a creamy frosting that will have you licking the bowl.

Let's just get this out of the way.
My favorite cake is old-fashioned carrot cake. I'll take a sheet cake any day of the week over birthday cake or even double chocolate cake. Coming in at a close second is a mandarin orange cake, which also has pineapple.
There's something about the spice of the cinnamon, the earthy sweetness of the carrots and the lightness of the pineapple in this recipe that evoke all the right feels, you know???
You can get those lovely flavors in carrot cake cookies and carrot bread, too.
And I've gotta give my Mom props for sharing this recipe with me. When my Dad heard I was making it, he knew what was coming down the pipeline and he promptly put in an order for a piece.
I was happy to deliver! 🙂
I made this carrot cake in a 9x13 pan for a few reasons. First, it's easy to frost and to serve. And second, it's easier to transport for special occasions.
You know, like Thursdays.
But you can certainly make this in to a fancy layer cake if you'd like.
Ingredients
- eggs
- white sugar
- vegetable oil
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- carrot - you can use shredded or grated carrots, your choice
- crushed pineapple - you'll need to use the canned variety, not fresh pineapple
- chopped walnuts
For the homemade cream cheese frosting recipe:
- cream cheese, at room temperature
- butter
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
How to make Pineapple Carrot Cake:
First, preheat the oven and grease your pan. Pretty basic stuff, right?
Then, in either your stand mixer or your handheld mixer, combine eggs, sugar & oil.
In a separate bowl, combine your dry ingredients.
Tip: This is a good time to set out your cream cheese and butter to soften, because it takes a while.
Add dry ingredients to your egg mixture and mix well to incorporate. Then, a cup or two at a time, add your pineapple, nuts and carrots. Mix it up and then pour the cake batter into your prepared pan.
That's it! Feel free to sniff the pan before you put it in the oven. There's something about the spices that smells SOOOO GOOD!
When it's done cooking, let it cool completely before you try to frost it. Melted frosting is not a good look.
How to make Cream Cheese Frosting:
I'll warn you, this takes a pound of powdered sugar. Yep, you heard me right, a pound. But in the defense of powdered sugar, it does dissolve into practically nothing. Once you taste it, your worries will go right out the window!
Mix the cream cheese and butter until combined, then gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla.
Tip: Don't dump in all at once unless you're a fan of major kitchen cleanup.
Beat the ingredients until it's smooth and easy to spread.
Be sure to take a teaspoon of two as a sample, just for quality control. You never can be too careful....
Recipe variations & tips for you:
- Add additional chopped walnuts to the top of the frosted cake, if desired.
- Add about ½ cup raisins to batter if you'd like.
- Substitute pecans for the walnuts
- Make the cake recipe into carrot cake cupcakes.
- When you cut the cake, drag the knife all the way through. This will keep crumbs from popping up and adhering to your frosting.
This pineapple carrot cake makes 15 generous sized servings.
More dessert recipes
If you like this recipe, you'll also love
Pumpkin Snack Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
If you make this carrot cake recipe, leave a recipe rating or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Old Fashioned Carrot Cake with Pineapple
If you want the best carrot cake recipe, you've gotta try this Pineapple Carrot Cake! It's moist, just the right amount of sweet and perfect for spring!
Ingredients
Pineapple Carrot Cake:
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups shredded carrot , about 2 large
- 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup butter, softened, (1 stick)
- 1 pound confectioners' sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Pineapple Carrot Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar and oil using a stand mixer or electric mixer
- Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl.
- Add dry ingredient to wet ingredients and mix well on medium speed.
- Gradually add carrots, pineapple and nuts and mix well on low speed. Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large mixer, mix softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, gradually. Beat until smooth and creamy and a good spreading consistency.
- Frost cake and enjoy!
Notes
Variations & Tips: Add additional chopped walnuts to the top of the frosted cake, if desired.
This old fashioned carrot cake recipe makes a single layer sheet pan style cake
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
15Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 602Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 347mgCarbohydrates: 76gFiber: 2gSugar: 60gProtein: 5g
Dannii
I love that you have added pineapple to carrot cake. That frosting looks amazing too.
Deanne
Yes, they're both soo good!
Emily
Oh yum. This reminds me of the carrot cake that my grandmother used to make. Her's didn't have pineapple though, so I'm excited to try this one.
Pam Greer
Incredibly moist and so delicious! I love your tip about not dumping all the powdered sugar in at one time. That's a mistake you only make once!
Matt Ivan
Looks amazing! Perfect time of year for a carrot cake.
Deanne
Thanks and Absolutely!!
Val - Corn, Beans, Pigs & Kids
This sounds delicious! I think I'm going to have to make it for Easter!
Deanne
That sounds perfect, Val!!
Sandhya Nadkarni
The cake looks so moist and yummy. I am in awe of your frosting skills as well. So beautifully done!
Deanne
Thanks so much!!