1-2 hours6 servingsall-purpose flour

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By Instant Pot Culinary Team

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6 servings

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Easy

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Red background with darker red circles

Recipe Details

Course: Desserts

Difficulty: Easy

Total Time: 1-2 hours

Cooking Technique: Pressure Cook

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • Non-stick cooking spray, as needed
  • 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1⁄4 tsp. ground allspice
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3⁄4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1⁄4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 3⁄4 cup canola oil
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
  • 1 ½ cups carrots, peeled and grated
  • 1⁄4 cup dried currants
  • 1 package cream cheese
  • 4 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. sour cream
  • 1⁄4 tsp. kosher salt
  • 3⁄4 cup confectioners’ sugar
A perennial birthday favorite, carrot cake turns out wonderfully dense and moist when cooked in the Instant Pot®. If you’re pressed for time, skip the frosting and serve the cake as a single layer, dusting the top with confectioners’ sugar.

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. To make the cake, lightly spray a 7-inch (18-cm) springform pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, both sugars, oil, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth. Fold half of the flour mixture into the egg mixture until well mixed, then fold in the remaining flour mixture just until no dry streaks remain. Finally, fold in the carrots and currants. Transfer to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Cover the pan with aluminum foil, crimping the edges.
  2. Pour 2 cups (475 ml) of water into the Instant Pot®. Place the springform pan onto the steam rack and lower the pan into the pot. Lock the lid into place and turn the valve to Sealing. Press the Pressure Cook button and set the cook time for 65 minutes at High Pressure.
  3. Let the steam release naturally for 15 minutes, then turn the valve to Venting to quick-release any residual steam. Carefully remove the lid and transfer the springform pan to a cooling rack. Remove the foil and let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove the pan sides and let cool completely.
  4. Meanwhile, make the frosting. In a bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until smooth, about 45 seconds. Beat in the sour cream, remaining vanilla extract, and salt until well mixed. On low speed, beat in the confectioners’ sugar until combined, then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until smooth and fluffy, about 1 minute.
  5. Split the cake into 2 layers. Spread a thin layer of frosting on the bottom layer, top with the second layer, and then frost the top and sides. Cut into wedges to serve. Enjoy!

About the chef

Instant Pot® Culinary Team

Instant Pot® Culinary Team

When life’s moving fast and dinner needs to happen faster, the Instant Pot Culinary Team is here to make it deliciously doable. We cook up recipes for every Instant Pot appliance you’ve got your hands on—so whether you’re tackling Tuesday night or going all-out for the weekend, you’ll have the flavor without the fuss. No overthinking, no babysitting, just good food that works with your schedule (not against it).

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