National Carrot Cake Day (February 3)
Check out the weird holiday National Carrot Cake Day on February 3. Learn the history of carrot cake, and get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on February 3 is National Carrot Cake Day. Check out the other weird February holidays!
History of National Carrot Cake Day
Carrot cake was developed sometime in the Middle Ages because sugar was rare and therefore extremely expensive. Bakers used sweet vegetables, like carrots, to help naturally sweeten the cakes they made.
Carrot pudding first appeared in a cookbook called A Book of Cookrye: Very Necessary for All Such as Delight Therin, by Edward Allde, which was written in 1591. They would hollow out a large carrot and stuff it with different items.
In the early 1800s, carrot cake began being served to French royas.
The earliest known recipe for carrot cake itself, however, is in a French cookbook that was published in 1827 in Britain, but it didn’t become a popular dessert in the United States until the 1960s.
Rumor has it, however, that President George Washington greatly enjoyed carrot cake. He would regularly visit Fraunces Tavern, which was located in lower Manhattan in New York City. The same recipe he so greatly enjoyed was later published in The Thirteen Colonies Cookbook, written by Mary Donovan, Amy Hatrack, and Frances Schull.
During WWII, sugar became scarce, as well as other foods, and was rationed. The Ministry of Food in Great Britain suggested that people use carrots as a sweetener, not just in cakes but also in puddings and pies! That could be where the idea of putting carrots in Jello salad came from.
Since carrot cakes are made with real carrots, they’re a bit healthier than regular sugar cakes. Carrots have fiber and beta carotene (which help your eyesight).
Carrot cake is made a bit like a quick bread in the sense that the wet and dry ingredients are mixed together separately, then combined together. Then at the end, it’s usually frosted with a cream cheese frosting.
Many bakers also like to add cinnamon, nutmeg, nuts, and raisins to their carrot cake recipes in order to add more texture, variety, and sweetness. It’s also often served with delicious hot chocolate.
Ideas for National Carrot Cake Day
Try out a variety of carrot cakes!
My Favorite Carrot Cake Recipe
This carrot cake recipe is incredibly moist, bursting with spice flavor, and frosted with a smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting. It's a recipe that you'll be making over and over again, and not just on National Carrot Cake Day!
Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Pudding Trifles
There’s nothing more indulgent and perfect for National Carrot Cake Day than these Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Pudding Trifles. Layers of soft, fluffy carrot cake and rich cream cheese pudding are topped off with a generous dollop of whipped topping, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a sprinkle of chopped nuts.
Carrot Cake Smoothies
All the flavor of dessert on National Carrot Cake Day, but in a much healthier package! Perfect for breakfast!
Carrot Cake Trifle
Carrot Cake Trifle is a delicious twist on carrot cake for National Carrot Cake Day. The cream cheese layer takes cream cheese frosting to another level.
Gluten Free High Protein Carrot Cake Baked Oats
These Carrot Cake Blended Baked Oats are like cake for breakfast, but loaded with healthy ingredients. Gluten free oats are blended up with protein powder, warming spices, and carrots to create a delicious protein packed breakfast. Topped with a cream cheese greek yogurt frosting, your National Carrot Cake Day will be off to the perfect start.
Carrot Cake Sheet Cake Recipe with Caramel Sauce
If you have a bunch of carrots you need to use up you are going to love this dessert. Carrot cake sheet cake recipe with salted caramel sauce is a great combination that is sure to please your guests on National Carrot Cake Day.
Carrot Cake Cheesecake
Carrot Cake Cheesecake is an exquisite, show-stopping dessert for National Carrot Cake Day. Decadent and delicious, the soft and spongy carrot cake is layered with a smooth and creamy cheesecake!
Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies
Carrot cake whoopie pies are soft, cake-like cookies filled with shredded carrots, pecans, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Filled with cream cheese frosting and perfect for National Carrot Cake Day!
Biscoff Cake Recipe with Carrot Cake + Cheesecake
This is the ultimate biscoff cake recipe mash-up for National Carrot Cake Day. Moist spiced carrot cake is layered with a creamy biscoff no-bake cheesecake then topped off with more biscoff spread, lotus biscuits and pecans.
Carrot Cake Cupcakes
Carrot Cake Cupcakes have been around for a long time but they are a favorite dessert for National Carrot Cake Day. Filled with sweetness from the carrot themselves to pineapple and both white and brown sugar they are perfectly balanced with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and ginger.
Carrot Sheet Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Frosting
Carrot Sheet Cake with a rich and creamy Cream Cheese Frosting is so unbelievably moist and perfectly spiced. Perfect for entertaining on National Carrot Cake Day, learn how to make this easy Carrot Sheet Cake Recipe and enjoy all the flavors of traditional layered carrot cake, in a fraction of the time.
Chocolate Carrot Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
Think of chocolate carrot cake as a cross between a Texas sheet cake, a Mexican chocolate cake, and a classic carrot cake. Or, just think of it as its own special treat for National Carrot Cake Day ,because there really is nothing quite like it.
Carrot Cake Cookies
Carrot Cake Cookies are chewy, moist, and filled with shredded carrots, coconut, and pecans. Like a fusion between a classic chocolate chip cookie and carrot cake. Give them a try on National Carrot Cake Day!
Carrot Cake Loaf
All the classic flavors of carrot cake in a simple and easy Carrot Cake Loaf recipe. This delicious quick bread recipe with Brown Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting is meant to be enjoyed throughout the day on National Carrot Cake Day, not just at dessert time.
Carrot Cake Weight Watchers Muffins Recipe
These Carrot Cake Weight Watchers Muffins are so easy to make for National Carrot Cake Day — and they only use three ingredients (which you probably have at home).
Brazilian Carrot Cake
This Brazilian Carrot Cake recipe is naturally sweet from carrots, fluffy, and coated with a thin layer of chocolate icing. Wonderful dessert for National Carrot Cake Day and a nice alternative to the American carrot cake version.
Healthy Pineapple Carrot Cake
This healthy pineapple carrot cake is a lighter version of a classic National Carrot Cake Day dessert. This moist carrot cake is easy to make, is lower in sugar & has no butter or oil!
Carrot Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze
A sweet and savory treat, these Carrot Cake Donuts with Cream Cheese Glaze are perfect for brunch or dessert on National Carrot Cake Day. Give them a go, you won’t be disappointed.
Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting (from Cake Mix!)
These carrot cake cookies are an easy twist classic spring dessert–made with boxed carrot cake mix and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, these thick and chewy carrot cake cookies are perfect for National Carrot Cake Day.
Layered Carrot Cake with White Chocolate Ganache - Cultured Table
This layered carrot cake recipe takes this dessert to a whole ‘nother level on National Carrot Cake Day with the addition of a white chocolate ganache. Your sweet tooth is going to be so happy!
Easy Old Fashioned Canned Carrot Cake Recipe
Once you see just how easy it is to make this old fashioned canned carrot cake, you’ll make it this way all the time instead of just on National Carrot Cake Day! The addition of pineapple and an amazing cream cheese frosting take it over the top!
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
These High Protein Carrot Cake Overnight Oats are the best oatmeal recipe for lovers of dessert for breakfast on National Carrot Cake Day! Enjoy all the delicious flavors of carrot cake while getting the health benefits of overnight proats at the same time. Prep your protein oats at night in just minutes and breakfast is ready to go.
Carrot Cake Ice Cream
Carrot Cake Ice Cream for National Carrot Cake Day! Everyone loves carrot cake and everyone loves ice cream. So everyone will love this luscious cream cheese ice cream layered with chunks of edible carrot cake batter.
Homemade Carrot Cake Recipe with Chocolate Chips
Love carrot cake? This easy homemade carrot cake recipe has plenty of carrots and nuts along with chocolate chips for you to enjoy on National Carrot Cake Day. Top with cream cheese frosting!
Carrot Cake Bars
If you love carrot cake, you’ll love these Carrot Cake Bars on National Carrot Cake Day! They’re cookie bars with a delicious layer of cinnamon-spiced cream cheese and topped with a carrot cake crumble.
Chocolate Carrot Cake
This chocolate carrot cake is a unique twist on the original that you can make to celebrate National Carrot Cake Day.
Carrot Cake Steel Cut Oats - Slow Cooker!
These Carrot Cake Steel Cut Oats are as easy as it gets! Put the ingredients for this healthful and delicious breakfast in the crock pot the night before National Carrot Cake Day and go to bed! Wake up to the beautiful smells of carrot cake!
Brazilian Carrot Cake Recipe (Kitchen Blender)
Brazilian Carrot Cake quickly prepared on National Carrot Cake Day in the kitchen blender and topped with a silky and decadent chocolate sauce. This is a kid-friendly cake that also comes with useful tips for a moist cake. It’s simple, less sweet than the old fashioned carrot cake, and super delish!
Carrot Cake Dessert Pizza
With a cookie crust, carrot cake flavors like cinnamon, toasted walnuts, crushed pineapple and whipped cream, chocolate cream cheese, candied carrots and an orange glaze, this Carrot Cake Dessert Pizza is not only fun to eat and make, it's a unique National Carrot Cake Day dessert!
Zucchini Carrot Cake Recipe
If you want to try a particularly moist and delicious cake on National Carrot Cake Day, this Zucchini Carrot Cake Recipe is the right for you. The white chocolate glaze makes it even more impressive!
Carrot Almond Cake
Moist carrot almond cake with a fruity and delicious orange juice and whipped cream filling, the perfect National Carrot Cake Day cake.
Carrot Cake Ball Truffles
Carrot cake ball truffles are an elegant take on Easter candy. This fun National Carrot Cake Day candy puts a new twist on classic carrot cake flavor. These carrot cake truffles would be a festive end to any celebration.
Carrot Cake Marshmallows featuring Carrot Marshmallows and Cream Cheese Marshmallows
Visualize how awesome your National Carrot Cake Day will be when you enjoy these homemade Carrot Cake Marshmallows featuring Carrot Marshmallows and Cream Cheese Marshmallows.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
Carrot cake pancakes are the perfect easy National Carrot Cake Day morning breakfast or easter brunch. All the fabulous flavor of carrot cake in sweet carrot and spice pancakes.
Coconut Carrot Cake
This coconut carrot cake is a classic southern recipe that you can make anywhere on National Carrot Cake Day, regardless of which side of the Mason-Dixon line you find yourself. Toasted coconut adds a sweet, nutty flavor to this cake. If you don't like coconut, just leave it out of the recipe. It tastes wonderful either way.
Healthy Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
If you’re looking for a tasty make ahead breakfast for National Carrot Cake Day, you’re going to love this healthy carrot cake baked oatmeal! This breakfast carrot cake is made with pineapple, coconut and walnuts for a sweet and satisfying breakfast that’s perfect for a crowd. Simple to make, it’s light and moist, and always a winner! {Gluten-free, dairy-free-friendly & vegetarian}
Healthy Carrot Cake Cookies
These healthy carrot cake cookies made with oats and whole wheat flour are packed with raisins, walnuts, lemon zest and ginger for you to enjoy on National Carrot Cake Day. Drizzle them with the optional almond butter cream cheese topping for a true creamy carrot cake like bite. No added sugar, no butter, yet still completely delicious and guilt-free!
Pumpkin Carrot Cake (or Cupcakes) with Cream Cheese Icing
Pumpkin carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting will be the highlight of anyone’s lunchbox on National Carrot Cake Day, and no one will bother that they’ve chock full of nutritious ingredients, too!
Carrot Cake Porridge
This carrot cake porridge is a fun and flavourful breakfast idea for National Carrot Cake Day, with so many healthy ingredients to start your day. Perfect for a cold winter's day, and I think kids will love it too!
Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls
Carrot cake cinnamon rolls combine all the flavors of cinnamon buns with the light sweetness of carrot cake. This homemade sweet roll recipe is the perfect treat for National Carrot Cake Day.
Carrot Cake Swirled Cream Cheese Bars
Put a spin on your National Carrot Cake Day celebrations with carrot cake swirled cream cheese bars, which are going to surprise and delight your guests!
Carrot Cake Cups with Cream Cheese Filling
A Carrot Cake Cup that has an incredibly sweet and delicious cream cheese filling that's perfect for National Carrot Cake Day. Top with some raisins, shredded carrots or crumbles of nuts and dive in.
Spiced Orange Ginger Carrot Cake
This stunning spiced Orange Ginger Carrot Cake is moist, tender, and delicious. It’s even topped with a cream cheese frosting. Have a slice for National Carrot Cake Day.
Carrot Cake Pancakes with White Chocolate Pecan Butter
Carrot Cake Pancakes with White Chocolate Pecan Butter are a fun way to enjoy your breakfast on National Carrot Cake Day.
Spiced Carrot Coffee Cake
Spiced Carrot Coffee Cake is a decadent spice cake made with carrots, raisins, and walnuts then is drizzled with an outrageous brown butter glaze. It will be your new favorite National Carrot Cake Day breakfast or brunch!
Gooey Cinnamon Carrot Poke Cake
Looking for a new twist on carrot cake for National Carrot Cake Day? This delicious Gooey Cinnamon Carrot Poke Cake is loaded with carrots, coconut and pineapple. Then topped with a buttermilk glaze and cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
Carrot Cake Muffins [With Cream Cheese Filling]
These carrot cake muffins that you should make on National Carrot Cake Day have fantastic, complex flavour, a great texture, and a fun cream cheese filling. Easy to make, too!
Carrot Cake Cobbler Recipe
This carrot cake cobbler is delicious and the perfect way to use up extra carrots on National Carrot Cake Day.
Dairy Free Carrot Cake Banana Bread
This Carrot Cake Banana Bread is dairy-free, moist, fluffy, refined sugar free, and puts a nice twist on traditional banana bread for National Carrot Cake Day!
Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
These Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting that you should make on National Carrot Cake Day feature a light, and fluffy cookie chocked full of carrots and cinnamon and topped with delicious cream cheese frosting.
Olive Oil Carrot Cake | Cooking On The Weekends
This Olive Oil Carrot Cake is full of warm spices and the sweet flavor of apricot. This upside down cake brings basic ingredients together to make a show-stopping dessert for National Carrot Cake Day!!
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