Out of this World Carrot Cake Recipe with Callie's Cream Cheese Frosting (2024)

FAQs

Can you leave carrot cake with cream cheese frosting out? ›

Due to the cream cheese in the frosting which has a high moisture content, this cake needs to be refrigerated. The good news is that since the cake layers are made with oil (not butter), they will remain soft even when cold. Cover the cake well and store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Cream cheese frosting should always be stored in the refrigerator. Cream cheese is a perishable food, and per FoodSafety.gov, perishable foods should not sit in room temperatures for longer than two hours.

Most carrot cake recipes call for oil instead of butter; it gives it that close, moist texture that carrot cake is known for. I believe you could substitute the oil for butter, but expect a drier, fluffier cake texture inside.

Even when the cake is baked, bacteria can still grow, so everything still needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage and foodborne illness. Carrot cake and frosting are also easier to tame when they're cold, so unless it's time to serve up some slices, keep your cake in the fridge.

It also doesn't really need to be served cold (it's perfect at room temperature, too), but refrigerating it does give it a dense, custardy, almost fudge-like texture that screams “mid-day snack.”

Store the leftover cream cheese frosting in the fridge in an airtight container for up to four days. Take it out of the fridge for an hour beforehand to soften, making sure you stir it before using. Freeze in a container for up to two months.

Fillings and toppings should be kept refrigerated." It also states, "Dessert containing cream cheese, whether baked or unbaked, should be covered and stored in the refrigerator. Use within 5 days."

So there's your answer. You can leave a cake with cream cheese frosting out over night–the sugar will help preserve it–but if your kitchen is too hot, don't take the risk. Stick it in the fridge!

Vegetable oil produces a more moist, tender cake than butter. Yes, butter generally tastes better, but it makes the cake come out a little firmer than I like. Don't worry—there's plenty of butter in the frosting to make up for it. Should carrot cake have raisins?

Why is my carrot cake dense and heavy? ›

You're aiming for that light, airy texture in your carrot cake, and then it turns out dense. What's the culprit? Well, it could be too little baking soda. It might seem like a simple ingredient, but baking soda provides a lot of the lift and fluffiness in your cake.

A wobbly or firm middle that doesn't bounce back is a sign that the cake needs more baking time. When you insert a thin skewer in the cake, it should come out clean (or with a few dry crumbs). If you pull it out and wet cake mixture has stuck to the skewer, it means the cake has not finished baking completely.

The creamy, tangy topping complements both sweet and spiced cakes and makes the entire dessert all-around delicious. Unfortunately, cream cheese frosting is susceptible to becoming a breeding ground for bacteria, and leaving a cake with cream cheese frosting out overnight is an easy way to ruin it.

Homemade carrot cake can last for 2 to 3 days at room temperature, 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator, and up to 3 to 4 months in the freezer. Store-bought carrot cake typically has a longer shelf life due to preservatives and airtight packaging. To maximize the freshness of carrot cake, proper storage is essential.

It is a carrot cake, after all. Pecans and Raisins: These add texture, but they are optional. Reading through the comment section, it is clear that some people love nuts and raisins in carrot cake, while others cannot stand them. I love them, but add what you love!

According to the Philadelphia website FAQs again, "Baked cheesecakes that contain cream cheese must be refrigerated. Fillings and toppings should be kept refrigerated." It also states, "Dessert containing cream cheese, whether baked or unbaked, should be covered and stored in the refrigerator.

How long can cake sit out unrefrigerated? If your cake is frosted with buttercream, it will last covered at room temperature for up to four days. However, it is best to refrigerate cakes with other frostings such as cream cheese or ganache. A fully covered unfrosted cake will last for up to 2 days at room temperature.

Typically, a cake will keep on the counter 2-3 days and 5-6 days in the fridge. If you're going to eat the cake in the next day or two and your house stays around 70 degrees or cooler, it should be fine to sit on the counter, says Jan–even if it is cream cheese frosting.

Most cakes, including those made with buttercream frosting or ganache, don't need to be refrigerated — in fact, they'll actually become stale more quickly in the fridge, since the colder temperature causes the starch molecules to crystallize.