Instant Pot Spiced Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze
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For more Instant Pot cake recipes, visit 5 Instant Pot Cakes That’ll Wow Mom (Without the Stress).
Warm spices, sweet carrots, and a creamy glaze—this cake is everything cozy without the oven mess. It’s moist, flavorful, and made entirely in your Instant Pot. No grating, no layering, no stress. Just dump, press, and enjoy.
Why You’ll Love It:
✔️ No mixer or shredding required
✔️ Moist and warmly spiced, never dry
✔️ Optional glaze or shortcut toppings
✔️ Great for brunch, dessert, or make-ahead treats
💬 “Don’t overthink this one—use bagged shredded carrots and call it good. You’ve got enough to do.”
🍰 Recipe: Instant Pot Spiced Carrot Cake
Yield: 4–6 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes (plus cool time)
Total Time: About 1 hour
📝 Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded carrots (bagged is fine)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup neutral oil (like canola or avocado)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- Pinch of salt
Optional Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- Dash of vanilla extract
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Grease a 6-inch round cake pan or springform that fits in your Instant Pot. Line the bottom with parchment if you want an easy release.
2️⃣ In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
3️⃣ Add carrots, stir to combine.
4️⃣ Sprinkle in dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Stir gently just until mixed.
5️⃣ Pour batter into prepared pan and cover tightly with foil.
6️⃣ Place pan on a trivet inside the Instant Pot with 1 cup of water in the insert.
7️⃣ Pressure cook on High for 35 minutes. Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
8️⃣ Let cool completely before glazing.
For Glaze:
Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over cooled cake.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the glaze or use plant-based cream cheese.
- Add-ins: Chopped walnuts or raisins work great here.
- No carrots? Try shredded zucchini instead for a springy twist.
💡 Pro Tips & Lazy Hacks
- Bagged carrots are fine—don’t waste time grating.
- Use a foil sling to lift the pan out easily.
- Shortcut topping: Just dust with powdered sugar or use vanilla yogurt instead of glaze.
🧼 Clean-Up & Storage Tips
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
- Reheat in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
- No icing mess? Glaze right before serving so it doesn’t soak in.
📌 Save This for Later!
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📌 Pin it for holiday brunches, last-minute desserts, or cozy weekend treats.
