Carrot cake is one of our family’s favorites and with this easy make ahead mix recipe, even my kids don’t mind making dessert! This simple make ahead carrot cake mix in a jar makes a lovely (inexpensive) homemade gift or an easy do it yourself convenience mix to keep on hand when you don’t feel like spending time in the kitchen.
2 cups sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. powdered vanilla
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
Measure all ingredients into a large ziploc bag or qt size jar (this makes 1 Mix)
Attach label: Carrot Cake
Makes 1 13×9-inch cake (or 2- 8″ rounds)
1 package Carrot Cake Mix (see above!)
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 large eggs
3 cups grated carrots
Preheat oven to 350 F . Combine the entire jar of mix, vegetable oil, eggs, and grated carrots. Mix will until the ingredients are incorporated, then Pour into greased 13×9 inch pan or into 2 8″ round pans.
Bake 40 -50 minutes Cool & Frost with cream cheese frosting
© Can Stock Photo Inc. / jlcst
Carrot Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons powdered vanilla
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 3 cups grated carrots
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the sugar, flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, powdered vanilla, and chopped walnuts or pecans into a large zip-top bag or quart-size jar.
- Seal tightly and label the container Carrot Cake.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F when ready to bake.
- Grease one 13x9-inch pan or two 8-inch round pans.
- Combine the entire package of Carrot Cake Mix with the vegetable oil, eggs, and grated carrots.
- Mix just until the ingredients are incorporated.
- Pour into the prepared pan or divide evenly between the round pans.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set.
- Cool completely and frost with cream cheese frosting if desired.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time estimate includes mixing the jar ingredients, grating carrots, and combining the batter.
Dry mix shelf life is estimated at 2 months in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry because the chopped nuts are the shortest-lived ingredient.
For longer storage, refrigerate the dry mix up to 4 months or freeze up to 6 months.
Refrigerate baked cake leftovers within 2 hours and use within 3 to 4 days.
we have nut allergies here, but cake is good without them! wish i could think of something crunchy to take the place of nuts.
What about unsalted, shelled sunflower seeds? Or pumpkin seeds? I’m not very familiar with nut allergies, so please forgive my ignorance.
I find raw unsalted sunflower kerrnals (hulled sunflower seeds) are a great substitute in many recipes calling for nuts! You get the crunch and nutty kind of flavor, without the nut!
this cake looks so good ! can’t wait to try it!!! :worthy:
I just made this recipe.
1 1/2 Cups of vegetable oil is way too much. i’ve been trying to get a response form this site, but so far……… good luck.
No, it’s really not, I make this all the time and this is based off the King Arthur Carrot Cake recipe which also uses 1 1/2 cups oil. Do you measure your flour by weight?
grapenuts cereal might work in place of the nuts!
:jar: carrot cake heaven….. great recipe!!
Betty Cracker has 1 cup oil in there mix. Goggled this
I have substituted applesauce in the past for some or all of the oil in a cake mix. I had made a pumpkin cake.
What is powdered vanilla and where is it found?
Powdered vanilla beans; no alcohol. Check online. There are lots of sellers.
It’s about $9 for a 3 ounce jar.
Or you can simply make your own, it’s simple to make: https://www.budget101.com/seasoning-mixes/vanilla-powder-1268.html
Will make this in morning. Have been looking for homade carrot cake recipe. This is going to go to church luncheon this Sunday.;-)
Thanks for sharing. I will use it for Mother’s Day gifts for my in-laws. I will register to post some pictures.
I will adjust recipe tu use 16 oz Mason Jar.