Layered Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist carrot cake layered with a cinnamon-spiced cream cheese frosting that highlights warm fall flavors. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 55 minutes layers all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 10, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for frosting)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1/2 tsp salt until well combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 3 large eggs with 1 cup vegetable oil and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Step 3: Fold in 3 cups grated carrots and 1 cup chopped walnuts until evenly distributed.
- Step 4: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Step 5: For the frosting, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, beating until fluffy.
- Step 6: Once the cakes are cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides evenly. Chill for 30 minutes before slicing to let the frosting set.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Layered Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Layered Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Layered Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Layered Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 10 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 10). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Layered Carrot Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
