The absolute best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting…ever! Two carrot cakes are baked and assembled together with the most luscious cream cheese frosting to form a two layered cake.
I forgot how much I loved carrot cake until I revisited this recipe. It’s like seeing a long lost best friend and not being able to get enough. Memories came flooding back on all the times I’ve baked this cake for Sunday family gatherings at mamma’s house. It’s been a family favorite for a long while and just recently my sister requested the recipe. She raves about it all the time, claiming it is “the best she ever tasted” !
I’m so glad to have found this recipe, type written (yikes, who even owns a typewriter anymore). Dog eared and slightly spattered with cake batter. It truly attests to the shear amount of times I’ve baked this delicious moist cake.
You can most certainly serve it in a more traditional way by baking it in a 9 x 13 inch pan, as I’ve always done.
However, do keep in mind you’ll need to bake it for 50 to 60 minutes. Or simply until a toothpick inserted in the middles comes out clean. One batch of the cream cheese frosting will be enough for a 9 x 13 inch cake.
This time around, I decided to elevate it into a much more elegant 2 layered cake. Inspired by what is now being referred to “naked cake”. A rather lovely way of baking a cake with open layers. This has the icing peeking through the outer edges, giving it a more exposed look. I find it provides the cake a pretty and enchanting appeal!
I doubled the frosting amount for this 2 layered cake and used a 1M piping tip from Wilton to decorate the carrot cake. It will give you more than enough to generously ice the layers.
To achieve the frilly icing border, you’ll want to start piping at the inner edge of your cake, working your self inward. Use an off set spatula to smooth the inside frosting while leaving the edges untouched.
I repeated the same with the top layer and piped a rosette in the middle of the cake. I wanted to achieve the look of a naked cake but with a frilly border 🙂
This recipe was given to me by “Raoul” whom I never met but was gracious enough to pass on this recipe through a mutual friend. He worked in our hospital cafeteria and had my colleagues and I running down every second Wednesday to get our carrot cake fix!
It is so utterly delicious that my husband, tongue in cheek, now wants me to bake him this carrot cake every single Sunday. However, I’ll save it for special occasions simply because…well there are so many other sweet treats to bake!
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
A delicious 2 layered Carrot Cake with a luscious Cream Cheese Frosting that is simply perfect for birthdays, holidays or any other special occasion.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sunflower oil or canola oil
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
- 14 ounce can crushed pinapple
- 2 cups grated carrots about 3 medium sized
Instructions
-
Grease and flour 2, 9 inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl whisk the oil, sugar and eggs together until combined and set aside. In another bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until combined. Fold in the crushed pineapple, chopped walnuts and the grated carrots.. Do not over mix.
Divide evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake in the preheated oven at 325*F for about 40 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool completely in the pans placed on a wire rack before icing.
Icing: (double the amounts for a layered cake)
3 ounces cream cheese
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 pound butter
1/2 pound icing sugar
In a large bowl combine the icing ingredients together. Starting on low speed and working your way to high, mix until the cream cheese icing is smooth and creamy.
To achieve the frilly icing border, use a piping bag inserted with a 1M piping tip.
Fill the piping bag with the frosting and start piping at the inner edge of your cake, working yourself inward. With an off set spatula or the back of a large spoon, smooth the inside frosting and leave the edges untouched.
Top with the second layer of cake and repeat with more frosting.
Pipe a rosette on top middle of cake and garnish with mint leaves.
Slice and enjoy with your favorite cup of coffee or tea.
If you make this recipe remember to tag @marisasitaliankitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation!
wow!!!!! definatly looks delicious, i think its a perfect idea for carrot cake lovers as a birthday cake!!!!! beautiful presentation!!!!! and yes i remember tasting it absolutly delicious!!!!! best one in town!!!!!! hats off to my sister in law!!!!!! best chef in the kitchen!!!!! everything is always delicious!!!! and this is true!!!!!!!xoxoxoxo
Thank-you so much Carmie….will have to bake it again soon and bring it over to your place?
yes good idea! with pleasure! I will furnish a delicious expresso to go with it! anytime!!!!
What a beautiful cake! My family loves carrot cake! Will definitely try this! Thanks for sharing! ?
Your very welcome Mary. Your family will love it:)
This sounds amazing! I love making carrot cake in the spring and I can’t wait to try out your recipe 🙂
Hi Kristen, it’s certainly loved by everyone. I would love to hear how it turns out:)
Marisa it was delicious!!! thank-you for sharing!!