There's a lot to love about carrot cake. It's sweet, slightly spiced, and surprisingly easy to make at home. However, most standard recipes yield large cakes, which can be impractical if you live alone or are craving a quick snack. The solution? Make this single-serving recipe, which creates a mini (and adorable!) carrot cake.
The treat is about the size of a cupcake, meaning you won't have to deal with leftovers or a ton of dishes. It also allows you to bake a treat with a small amount of ingredients, so it's ideal for using leftover perishable food items, such as cream cheese or carrots.
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Cream Cheese Frosting
Things You'll Need
1 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1. Mix cream cheese and butter
In a small bowl, add the cream cheese and butter. Beat with a fork until smooth and combined.
Tip
Instead of waiting for the cream cheese and butter to soften, you can microwave both ingredients in a bowl for 8 to 10 seconds.
2. Add powdered sugar
Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat until fluffy and the powdered sugar is fully mixed in.
Carrot Cake
Things You'll Need
2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. milk
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1 egg yolk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup grated carrots, plus more for topping
1 Tbsp. chopped pecans or walnuts, plus more for topping
Tip
Feel free to use dairy-free milk, such as oat milk. You can also use gluten-free all-purpose flour, if needed.
1. Prepare the wet mixture
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8- or 10-oz. ramekin with oil or butter.
In a bowl, combine the oil, milk, and vanilla. Whisk with a fork.
Add the egg yolk and whisk until just combined.
Add the brown sugar. Set aside.
Tip
If you don't have brown sugar, you can use white sugar. The cake will just be lighter and lack the deep molasses flavor of brown sugar.
2. Combine the dry ingredients
In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk together.
Tip
For stronger spicier notes, add 1/8 tsp. each of ground ginger or nutmeg.
3. Mix everything together
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir until just combined.
4. Fold in carrots and nuts
Add the grated carrots and nuts. Fold to combine.
5. Bake
Transfer batter to the greased ramekin.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely.
6. Add frosting
Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the cake. Sprinkle with extra grated carrots and nuts, then dig in!