Dive into the comforting flavors of this Ultimate Layered Carrot Cake, featuring two layers of moist and spiced carrot sponge cake, enriched with a rich and creamy cheese frosting. Whether you choose traditional or vegan ingredients, this cake guarantees a luxurious texture and delectable taste, making it a timeless favorite for all occasions.
Why You’ll Love This: This carrot cake recipe brings out the best of its ingredients, with natural sweetness from carrots and a delightful crunch from optional walnuts. The cream cheese frosting is smooth and lusciously creamy, providing a perfect balance to the spiced cake layers. It’s a satisfying dessert that combines simplicity with decadence.
Perfect Occasion: This cake is ideal for celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries, or any festive gathering where you want to impress. It also makes a wonderful addition to holiday tables, especially for Easter and Thanksgiving, where carrot cake is a beloved dessert choice.
Decoration Tips: For a charming rustic look, sprinkle the top with toasted walnuts and some reserved cake crumbs for texture. For a more polished finish, pipe additional frosting around the edges and top with decorative carrot shapes or a light dusting of cinnamon.
Carrot Cake Ingredients:
- 1 cup + 1/3 cup milk (non-dairy or regular, unsweetened)
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups + 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups + 1/2 cup grated carrots (about 5-6 medium-sized)
- 2/3 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients:
- 12 oz cream cheese, room temperature (vegan if desired)
- 1 1/2 cups butter, room temperature (vegan if using)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or cinnamon powder
Topping:
- 1/2 cup toasted and chopped walnuts
- Cake crumbs from trimmings
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine milk, oil, vanilla extract, and sugars. Whisk until sugars dissolve.
- In another bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold in grated carrots and walnuts gently. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the frosting, whip butter until fluffy. Gradually add half the powdered sugar and the vanilla or cinnamon, then the rest of the sugar until smooth. Incorporate the cream cheese and whip until creamy.
- To assemble, slice the tops off each cake to level. Place one cake layer on a plate, spread with 3/4 cup frosting, then top with the second cake layer. Apply frosting on top and sides of the cake.
- Decorate with cake crumbs and chopped walnuts.
Enjoy this delightful carrot cake with its perfect balance of flavors and textures, making every occasion a little sweeter and more memorable!