Do you love classic Southern desserts?
If so, you’ll adore Grandma’s old-fashioned carrot cake recipe.
In the first episode of The Soul Food Pod, host Shaunda Necole shares delightful Easter dinner traditions and soul food dishes that will inspire your holiday menu.
Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out, The Soul Food Pod offers practical tips and ideas to help you prepare a memorable Easter feast for family and friends.
If you’re ready to bring some Southern comfort to the table, tune in now.
🎧✨Listen Now!
Apple Podcasts: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake Recipe
Spotify: Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake Recipe
Tune into The Soul Food Pod to discover soulful recipes that keep you coming back for more. Listen to this episode and start cooking classic Southern dishes with confidence.
The Soul Food Pod Episode 1: FOUND! My great-grandma’s old-fashioned carrot cake recipe
On this episode, Shaunda Necole dives into Southern soul food favorites and Easter dinner traditions, discussing dishes like coconut cake, baked ham, deviled eggs, collard greens, and mac and cheese.
She also offers tips on useful kitchen tools and thoughtful table settings to elevate presentation.
The highlight is Shaunda’s family recipe for old-fashioned carrot cake, including a pro tip for beating egg whites to the perfect stiffness.
If you love Southern soul food or want to refresh your Easter menu, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to make this delicious cake and enjoy a taste of Southern hospitality.
Where to listen to the podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music
What you’ll learn in this episode
How to make Grandma’s old-fashioned Southern carrot cake, with pro tips and a few secret ingredients that give this recipe its moist, tender crumb.
This version is warmly spiced and finished with classic homemade cream cheese frosting.
Check out this recipe!
Links & resources mentioned in the episode
- Favorite Easter kitchen gadgets & tools
- Easter table setting ideas
- What I uncovered in the nostalgic box and how it shows up today
Episode transcript
The Soul Food Pod – Episode 1 Transcript
Episode 1: Grandma’s old-fashioned carrot cake recipe — FAQs
Who is the host of The Soul Food Pod?
Shaunda Necole is the host. She’s a cookbook author and food and lifestyle blogger from a family of cooks and caterers, carrying forward a legacy of soul food recipes.
What is The Soul Food Pod about?
The Soul Food Pod celebrates Southern soul food—its flavors, stories, and traditions.
What are typical Southern Easter dinner traditions?
Common dishes include baked ham, deviled eggs, collard greens, mac and cheese, and coconut cake.
Which kitchen gadgets are recommended for Easter prep?
Helpful tools include a pie crust shield, cake scraper, egg white separator, and a stand mixer for efficient baking.
What table-setting ideas are suggested?
Shaunda recommends colorful floral centerpieces and mixing vintage plates and silverware for a warm, inviting table.
What makes Shaunda’s carrot cake special?
Her family’s secret is folding in beaten stiff egg whites, which lightens the batter and adds moisture without weighing the cake down.
How do you beat egg whites for this recipe?
Beat egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form—when the peak stands straight up without folding over.
What makes Southern soul food unique?
Southern soul food is known for rich, comforting flavors and a history rooted in resourceful, ingredient-driven cooking from African-American culinary traditions.
How can you personalize traditional soul food dishes?
Try your favorite seasoning blends or experiment with complementary flavors to make classic dishes your own.
Where can you find more recipes from Shaunda Necole?
Find more recipes and tips on TheSoulFoodPot.com.
Did you enjoy Grandma’s old-fashioned carrot cake recipe?
Have you tried it? Would you make it? Comment below and let us know.
Then subscribe for more soul food recipes and inspiration.
Check out this recipe!
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Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake Recipe
This family recipe yields a moist, warmly spiced cake finished with cream cheese frosting.
Pin Recipe
Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Stand mixer slicer/shredder attachment (optional)
- Flour sifter
- 9–10″ Bundt cake pan
- Baker’s cooling rack
- Instant Pot Omni Plus oven (optional)
Ingredients
Ingredients for Grandma’s old-fashioned carrot cake
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 egg yolks
- 3 egg whites
- 2 ½ teaspoons hot water
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup finely chopped black walnuts (in batter)
- ½ cup finely chopped black walnuts (for garnish)
Ingredients for cream cheese frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Cake Instructions
- Grease and flour a 9–10″ Bundt pan and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine vanilla, sugar, vegetable oil, egg yolks, and hot water.
- Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon into a separate bowl.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat until combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots by hand.
- Stir in the chopped walnuts by hand; the batter will become slightly stiff.
- Beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the beaten egg whites into the batter until fully incorporated; the batter will loosen.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes (conventional oven) or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If using an Instant Pot Omni Plus oven, bake at 325°F for 35–40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool in the pan on a rack for at least 10 minutes.
- Carefully turn the cake out onto a cooling rack.
- Allow the cake to cool to room temperature (about 2 hours) before frosting.
- Serve with cream cheese frosting and garnish with chopped walnuts if desired.
Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions
- Place butter and cream cheese in a large bowl.
- Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly firm.
- Reduce speed to low and gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Increase speed to medium and beat for another 2 minutes.
- Spread frosting over the cooled cake and garnish with chopped walnuts or crumbs if desired.
- Slice and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Grandma’s secret: folding in beaten stiff egg whites adds moisture and lightness to the cake.
- Chill a frosted cake for a few hours to firm the frosting for cleaner slices.
- Freeze individual slices in parchment and foil for easy thaw-and-serve portions.
Nutrition
❤️ Shaunda’s Soul Food Standard
Created and tested by Shaunda Necole of The Soul Food Pot®. These recipes are rooted in African-American culinary traditions and have been prepared and verified in a real kitchen. Measurements, times, and techniques are tried and true, with options so you can adapt the recipe to your tools and tastes.