Nutty Carrot Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This Nutty Carrot Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting is rich, moist, and full of warm homemade flavor. Packed with grated carrots, chopped almonds, and sweet dates or raisins, then finished with a smooth cream cheese frosting, it is the kind of dessert that feels classic, cozy, and perfect for holidays, birthdays, or weekend baking.

Ingredients

For the Cake

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups finely grated carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped dates or raisins

For the Frosting

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
• 12 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
• 5 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease two round cake pans. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the grated carrots, chopped almonds, and dates or raisins. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Divide the batter between the pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.

For the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, then beat until creamy. Frost the cooled cake layers, then garnish with extra chopped almonds if desired.

Conclusion

This carrot layer cake is soft, spiced, and beautifully balanced with rich cream cheese frosting. It is an easy homemade dessert that looks impressive and tastes even better the next day.