Layered Carrot Cake from Scratch – Best EVER!!

This layered carrot cake recipe is a treat that everyone will love. Bursting with flavor and a delicious frosting, this 2 layer carrot cake is a layer cake that is homemade dream that will have everyone begging for more.

There are many reasons to love a wonderful homemade layered carrot cake recipe. It’s one of those simple dessert recipes that offer a ton of flavor and taste and gives you an excuse to eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

It’s packed full of shredded carrots so it has to have some sort of health benefits, right?! 

But in all seriousness, this 2 layer carrot cake is probably one of my favorite old-fashioned carrot cake recipes that I’ve ever made. There aren’t many homemade carrot cake recipes out there that have raisins AND crushed pineapple in them and this is one that does.

Nuts too if you’re in the mood.

In my mind, the added sweetness of the fruit creates an unbelievably good flavor and a totally moist carrot cake layer cake. 

Then pair that up with the homemade carrot cake icing, or specifically cream cheese frosting, and you better believe that your life is forever going to be changed. 

I’ve been making this moist carrot cake recipe for years and it’s the best! I’ve never heard anyone complain quite yet. Maybe that’s because the moment that I set a piece down in front of them, their mouths are too full to utter a word! 

Do you peel carrots for carrot cake?

You bet! Make certain to wash them off really well before you start peeling them and then peel off that outer layer. This stands true unless you’re using baby carrots of some sort that are already peeled for you. 

Peeling the carrots for this recipe is important because the skin is thicker and tougher than the flesh of the carrot. While many dishes that use carrots don’t require peeling, if you don’t peel your carrots for this one, you’ll end up with a texture that just doesn’t work.

What is the best way to grate carrots for carrot cake?

There are a couple of different methods that you can use to shred the carrots for the best ever carrot cake. Using a cheese grater is a great start but it can be a time-consuming process. 

You can also use a food processer to blend up the carrots quickly and easily but be aware that this will make them be bigger bits of carrots in the cake versus the “shredded” carrot strands that are most common.

You can also skip the hard work altogether and just buy shredded carrots at the store. They really do make them and if you’re wanting a time-saver, this can be a simple way to make that happen. Hey, you can work smarter not harder when you’re making homemade dishes!

Does butter or oil make a cake moister?

Ah, the old butter versus oil debate. You have to kind of pick a horse and go with it on this one. Oil is going to make the cake moister for longer but if you bake a cake using butter instead of oil, the cake is going to have a better flavoring and a richer taste. 

It’s really a matter of taste. I prefer butter, but I know some people who swear by using oil. For a delicious – and definitive – answer to what you prefer, just try making this delicious carrot cake layer cake using butter and then make one using oil. 

How many carrots equal a cup?

To get all the great carrot flavor in this delicious 2 layer carrot cake, you’ll need three cups of carrots. You’re going to want to estimate that about three large carrots that are grated are going to equal one cup. With this theory, that would mean that you need about 9 carrots for this homemade carrot cake recipe. 

This can vary a little bit but should be a good baseline for you to figure in the number of carrots needed for this yummy carrot cake. 

Layered Carrot Cake Recipe

This delicious carrot cake layer cake is a bit more involved that some of my other semi-homemade cake recipes, but the flavor and texture are so worth the extra effort! Sometimes, you just have to go all-in on the homemade aspect of baking to get the best results, and this recipe is one of those times. Don’t worry. After it’s all said and done, you’ll be glad you put in the effort!

Carrot Cake Ingredients 

These are all the carrot cake ingredients that are needed to make an easy layered carrot cake and homemade cream cheese frosting recipe. Pay close attention to the measurements so that you create the perfect texture and flavor! 

Here is exactly what you’ll need to make this homemade carrot cake recipe from scratch. It is the best EVER!

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled 
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 8 ounces canned crushed pineapple, drained well
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, divided
• 1/2 cup raisins

Carrot Cake Frosting Ingredients

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 5 cups powdered sugar or confectioners sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Layered Carrot Cake Tips 

This cake is enough to make two 9-inch round cakes so you’ll need 2 cake pans. Make certain that you spray the pans with a non-stick spray before adding in the cake batter. 

Be Certain the Cakes are Cooked Thoroughly 

After all your work, you’re going to want to be certain that your carrot cakes from scratch are cooked all the way. Use a toothpick inserted into the center and make sure each comes out basically clean.

Around the time that baking time is over, or a few minutes earlier, I would check for the first time.

Test EACH cake. Just because one might be done, don’t assume that the other is. If you insert a toothpick and it comes out fairly smooth, the cakes are done and should be taken out of the oven. 

You may notice a few crumbs on the toothpick, that’s fine. You’re looking for wetness to make certain that there isn’t any. 

The pans need to cool for 10 minutes in the pan and then be moved to a wire rack to continue cooling. 

Frosting the Cake with Carrot Cake Icing

Make certain that the cake is cooled completely before adding your frosting. If not, it will melt into the cake OR run off the cake and create quite a mess. 

There is a step in this recipe to put the cake in the fridge for up to 2 hours during the frosting process so don’t miss that step as it’s important. 

Carrot cake icing is my favorite frosting recipe EVER!

How do you store leftover carrot cake? 

Any leftover cake needs to be store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap due to the cream cheese frosting. You can also use a cake storage container with a lid as well. It will keep well for 3 or 4 days like this.

Variations for Carrot Cake

This is a favorite homemade carrot cake recipe that is so versatile that you can add and subtract ingredients. The addition of the nutmeg and clove gives a nice warmth to the cake but you can leave it out and add more cinnamon in its place.

Keep in mind that the addition of raisins, nuts, and pineapple are all optional too.

The raisins plump up nicely in the cake while baking and give a great texture and I love the natural sweetness that they add, too. (this is also a simple way to get the kids to eat some fruit and veggies, too!) 

FAQ

As always, we’ll hit the highlights here so you can be sure you make the most delicious layered carrot cake recipe ever. 

Q: Why isn’t my frosting sticking to the cake?
A: The most likely answer is that you didn’t let the cake layers cool completely. If your cake is even a little warm, it will melt the frosting and make it difficult, if not impossible, for it to stick.

Q: What’s the best way to shred carrots?
A: To get the classic carrot cake texture, a cheese grater is your best bet. An even better option is simply to buy grated carrots at the grocery store. 

Q: How long will this carrot cake last?
A: You can store this cake in an air-tight container for about 4 days in the refrigerator. 

Try This Layered Carrot Cake Recipe for Yourself

Are you ready to make this homemade carrot cake from scratch for yourself and others? Grab all the delicious directions below. This would be a great Easter recipe or a fun cake for family dinners, too! (I also love this cake for my birthday every year as well!)

This 2 layer carrot cake is so delicious and moist, you’ll be glad you took the time to grate up the carrots and make this one from scratch.

More Recipes Using Carrot

• Crock Pot Carrot Cake with Caramel Frosting
• Chewy Carrot Cake Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
• Easy Carrot Cake Bars