ic Kathe With an E: The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe

Sunday, February 16, 2014

The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe

I am a cake lover.  Mr. B is not. Or, at least he wasn't until I found this carrot layer cake recipe in The America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book!
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
Now, I have to make it at least once a month and, that is totally okay with me!

It is a fairly simple recipe and most ingredients you should already have on hand.  No carrot cake, in my estimation anyway, is done the right way if it doesn't include a rich and dreamy cream cheese frosting so, I will share the absolute best one for this cake too!

For the Carrot Layer Cake:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

4 large eggs, room temperature
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup raisins allowed to soak in a bowl of warm water, then drained once softened
1 pound (about 5 medium carrots), peeled and grated (I use my food processor, see photo below)
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
Adjust an oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9-inch cake pans, then line with parchment paper.
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
Whisk the first 7 ingredients together in a medium bowl.
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe

The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugars together by hand until the sugars are mostly dissolved and the mixture is frothy. Continue to whisk, while slowly drizzling in the oil, until thoroughly combined and emulsified. Whisk in the flour mixture until just incorporated. Stir in the raisins and the carrots.
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe

The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
Give the batter a final stir with a rubber spatula to make sure it is thoroughly combined. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans, smooth the tops, and gently tap the pans on the counter to settle the batter. Bake the cakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached, about 25-30 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking.
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe

The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Run a small knife around the edge of the cakes, then flip them out onto a wire rack. Peel off the parchment paper, flip the cakes right side up, and let cool completely, about 2 hours.
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into ubes and softened
1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups confectioners (powdered) sugar

Beat the cream cheese, butter, sour cream, vanilla and salt together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until smooth, 2-4 minutes.

Reduce the mixer speed to medium-low, slowly add the powdered sugar, and beat until smooth, 4-6 minutes.  Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, 4-6 minutes.
The Best Ever Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
To frost the cake, cover the edges of your cake plate with strips of parchment paper to help keep it clean. Slide the paper out once the frosting job is done.
The Best Ever Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Place one cake on the plate, making sure it is level. Dollop a portion of frosting in the center of the cake. Spread into an even layer right to the edges. Lay the second layer on top. Dollop more frosting in the center and spread slightly over the edge.
Gather a few tablespoons of frosting on the tip of the spatula, then gently smear it onto the side of the cake. Use gently motions and don't press too hard or you will wind up with crumbs in your frosting. Clean off the spatula as needed and follow the same instructions all around the cake. Gently run the edge of the spatula around the sides to smooth any bumps and to tidy the area where the frosting from the top and sides merge. Gently slide out the parchment paper from under the cake and stand back and admire your beautifully decorated cake.
The Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake Recipe
So pretty and seriously delicious enough to make a cake lover out of Mr. B!

Click here to see where I may be partying this week.
AND
Don't forget to come by on Tuesdays
for the link party.


49 comments:

  1. Oh dear! I haven't made a carrot cake in a long time. I may have to make this one. I'd love it if you linked this to What'd a You Do This Weekend. We go live at midnight.

    Have a wonderful week,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a pretty cake. It makes me hungry for carrot cake which I love, but the Mr. does not. Maybe I should temp him with this one. Nicely done and easy to follow.
    Thanks,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasure

    ReplyDelete
  3. That looks absolutely scrumptious. My hubby's birthday is tomorrow maybe I will make him a carrot cake... thanks for sharing, Kathe..... Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kathe, this cake looks so delicious,

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds yummy- except I don't like baked raisins. I've had carrot cake with chopped nuts- I wonder if that would work instead of raisins? I should give this a try. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm more of a pie person usually, but I love a good carrot cake and this one looks amazing. It would have been perfect for breakfast this morning!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kathe this is gorgeous and oh my I love carrot cake! It is my favorite and one I often ask for on my birthday!! :) (love your kitchen by the way). Hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kathe this looks delicious - I pinned! and I want to make it!! Rhondda

    ReplyDelete
  9. Looks great, Kathe! Have a wonderful week. Linda

    ReplyDelete
  10. This looks sinfully good. Yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yummy! Carrot cake is my absolute favorite but my husband won't eat it. I usually make it if we are having a crowd. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. I pinned this for the next time I have to take a cake somewhere. I don't dare make it for just us.

    ReplyDelete
  13. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM :) ANYTHING with cream cheese icing is a winner in my book :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and this one looks amazing! I am checking this recipe out from the inspiration monday link party and this is definitely a keeper :-)
    Cathy
    www.threekidsandafish.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Now that looks pretty amazing, and I do love me some carrot cake! (one of your 5 a day right?)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh wow, this looks so good. Thanks tons for the recipe. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oh my, that looks delish, Kathe! I've pinned it for "some day" when I allow myself to have dessert again!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Kathe, I do believe you're right- it DOES look like the Best Ever Carrot Layer Cake! I'm so glad you shared it at Treasure Box Tuesday- pinning! ♥

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good Morning Kathe, Ooh I do love a good moist carrot cake and yours looks fabulous. I do make carrot cake, but I have never made it with raisins....I shall try your recipe next time I make carrot cake. I am also looking forward to trying sour cream in the cream cheese frosting.... I cannot wait as I know it will be a hit with my family.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

    ReplyDelete
  20. This absolutely looks too delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Kathe,
    That's a great recipe. I am into baking too and making my own recipes, fillings and my own roses.

    I just realized and missed your "Gonna Love It Tuesday. ..

    Happy mid-week.

    /CC girl

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hi Kathe--visiting from Thursdays Home and Garden :) Pinned the recipe for later--looks fantabulous!

    ReplyDelete
  23. LOVE carrot cake...this looks so good. Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. truly one of my very favorite things!! Yum. Thank you for joining the fun ans sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ♥

    ReplyDelete
  25. Thank you for sharing this at our party. Lovely cake. Hope to see you again next week.

    Linda @ Tumbleweed Contessa
    What'd You Do This Weekend

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh sweet Kathe, your Carrot cake looks fabulous and the tutorial too! Funny, I have a carrot cake récipe too and I'm looking to see if it looks anything like mine, lol...very similar. I have my récipe in my last post!
    Hugs,
    FABBY

    ReplyDelete
  27. Sounds wonderful! And I love your cake stand. Is it Candlewick?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Looks yummy! Carrot Cake is my favorite, I can't wait to try your recipe. Thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Oh yummy, yummy, yummy Kathe! I love carrot cake and this looks so pretty. I am lazy and make mine in a 9x13 pan. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    ReplyDelete
  30. G'day! Love carrot cake! YUM! I was looking for the potato!
    Cheers! Joanne
    Viewed as part of the Foodie Friends Friday Potato Lovers Party!

    ReplyDelete
  31. This looks yummy!

    I love the owl peeking out from behind the food processor :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. I was wanting to make a carrot cake yesterday! this is perfect I'm going to make this today! I'll let you know how it came out. thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. We all love Carrot Cake in this house and this one is double layers! I like how you show a step by step and the final beautiful result. Have a nice weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love carrot cake, but I make mine without the cloves, nutmeg and raisins...just 2tsps. cinnamon...it looks great and your icing looks amazing also...thanks for all your recipes

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love carrot and this one with that luscious icing looks very yummy. Thanks for linking up at Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again this weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  36. This seriously sounds incredible. And you're right, carrot cake has to have a great cream cheese frosting on top! Thanks for sharing on the weekend re-Treat link party!

    Britni @ Play. Party. Pin.

    ReplyDelete
  37. This is my hubby's favorite cake!! He will love this recipe. Thanks for sharing on the Four Seasons Blog Hop~ Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh my... yummy! I love carrot cake! I loved your Tip Me Tuesday link this week. {thanks girl!} Would you like Tip Junkie to feature your blog post to over 200,000 creative women? If you upload this blog post into your Tip Junkie craft room using at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL then I can easily feature it in my RSS feed, home page, and all my social networks instantly. {squealing with delight} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
    http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie/

    ReplyDelete
  39. One of my all-time favorites too! I agree the Cream Cheese Frosting is a must! Thanks so much for sharing it at the Party On the Porch. Hope to see you again soon. Blessings, D@TheShadyPorch

    ReplyDelete
  40. Love carrot cake. It's probably my favorite. Thanks for this fantastic looking recipe! I use the Demarle flexible bakeware and it will turn out a beautiful cake. Pinned!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Found you via Angel's link up... How GOOD does this carrot cake look? My mouth is watering! :)

    -Ashley
    http://lestylorouge.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Looks amazing!! So many good cakes linked up this week. Thanks for linking up!!
    ~ Betsy @ Romance on a dime

    ReplyDelete
  43. This looks wonderful, Kathe! Dearest LOVES Carrot Cake - I may just have to make this for him!
    I will be featuring your post in this week's Home and Garden Thursday,
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  44. Just in time for my husbands birthday this weekend! Carrot cake is his favorite. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

    ReplyDelete
  45. I have never made carrot cake but this looks so very wonderful... I may have to give it a try! Thanks for linking it up to Think Tank Thursday. I'm featuring you today! http://saving4six.com/2014/02/welcome-to-think-tank-thursday-70.html

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi Kathy, Lovely looking carrot cake! Theresa @DearCreatives

    ReplyDelete