National Carrot Cake Day 2023: Date, History and How to Make

National Carrot Cake Day 2023: Carrot cake is one of those desserts that everyone loves to indulge in. Sweet, moist and filled with flavor, it’s hard to resist this delicious treat! And what better way to celebrate it, than by dedicating a day to it? National Carrot Cake Day is celebrated annually on February 3rd in the United States. It’s a day for people all over the country to come together and appreciate carrot cakes in all forms. From traditional recipes to modern twists, there’s something for everyone on this special day. In this blog post, we’ll explore the origins of National Carrot Cake Day and how you can celebrate it in 2023. So get ready for a sweet treat of deliciousness!

What is National Carrot Cake Day?

National Carrot Cake Day is a day to celebrate one of America’s favorite desserts – carrot cake! This delicious cake is typically made with a combination of carrots, spices, nuts, and raisins, and is often served with a cream cheese frosting. While the exact origins of National Carrot Cake Day are unknown, it is thought to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century.

The History of Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a cake that contains carrots and is typically flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The carrot cake originated in England during the medieval era. The first recipe for carrot cake appeared in print in 1764, when a cookbook called “The Art of Cookery” was published. This early version of the carrot cake was more like a fruitcake, containing raisins, currants, and citron peel.

The popularity of carrot cake spread to America during the Revolutionary War, when English soldiers brought the recipe with them. Carrot cake became especially popular during World War II, when sugar was rationed. Because carrots are high in sugar, they were used as a sweetener in many recipes. After the war ended, carrot cake continued to be popular, and it remains so today.

How to Make a Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a delicious, classic dessert that can be enjoyed any time of year. While there are many different ways to make a carrot cake, we’ve outlined a simple and straightforward recipe below. This particular recipe yields one 9-inch cake or 12 cupcakes.

Ingredients:
-1½ cups all-purpose flour
-1 teaspoon baking powder
-1 teaspoon baking soda
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
-¼ teaspoon ground ginger
-pinch of salt
-1½ cups granulated sugar
-4 large eggs, at room temperature
-⅔ cup vegetable oil (we used canola oil)
-2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
-3 cups grated carrots (about 1lb)
-1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting:
-8 ounces full fat cream cheese, at room temperature – ¼ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature – 2 – 3 cups confectioners’ sugar – 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350F degrees and spray three 9-inch cake pans with baking spray. Alternatively, you can line two 12cup muffin tins with liners. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger

Conclusion

All in all, National Carrot Cake Day is a great way to celebrate the deliciousness of carrot cake. From its sweet cream cheese frosting and crunchy walnuts, to its moist and flavorful cake base, there’s something for everyone when it comes to indulging in this timeless dessert. Whether you make your own or purchase one from a local bakery, we hope that you take some time out of your day on February 3rd to honor National Carrot Cake Day with us!

NATIONAL CARROT CAKE DAY DATES