Best Carrot Layer Cake Recipes

CARROT-GINGER LAYER CAKE WITH ORANGE CREAM-CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper and butter. Dust pans with flour and tap out any excess. Set aside. Spread pecans in a single layer on an ungreased baking pan and toast in oven until lightly golden, about 7 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand until completely cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees. Finely chop pecans and set aside.
• Place carrots, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, sugar, and ginger in a large bowl; mix until well combined.
• Into a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Using a rubber spatula, fold the flour mixture into the carrot mixture until combined. Fold in the butter and toasted pecans.
• Divide batter between the two cake pans and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove pans from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Turn cakes out onto rack; let stand until completely cool.
• Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes so surfaces are level. Place a layer on a cake stand or cardboard round and spread 3/4 cup frosting over top. Place the second cake layer on top and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of assembled cake. Transfer to refrigerator and chill 3 to 4 hours.
• For the candied carrot strips, set a wire rack over a baking pan. Using fingers, lift one candied carrot strip from the sugar syrup, holding it over the container. With the thumb and forefinger of your other hand, gently squeeze the carrot strip and slide your fingers along its length, removing as much excess syrup as possible; lay the carrot strip on the wire rack. Repeat with remaining carrot strips.
• Decorate cake with candied carrot strips as desired. Cut cake and serve.

CARROT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt. Stir in cream; add butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until butter is melted; bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in nuts and vanilla. Cool and set aside. , In a large bowl, beat oil and sugar until well blended. In another bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with eggs, beating well after each addition. Stir in carrots, raisins and nuts. , Pour into 3 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. , For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter, cream cheese and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually beat in sugar until smooth. Spread filling between layers. Frost sides and top of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.

THREE-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Brush three 9-inch-round cake pans with vegetable oil and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Spread the pecans on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then pulse in a food processor until very finely chopped.
• Combine the pecans, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and granulated sugar in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the vegetable oil, lemon zest, eggs and 1/2 cup marmalade. Stir in the carrots, then fold the carrot mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Divide among the prepared pans and spread evenly (it won't look like a lot of batter, but the cakes will rise in the oven). Put 2 pans on the upper oven rack and the third pan on the lower rack. Bake until the cakes bounce back when touched and a toothpick comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes, switching the position of the pans halfway through. Transfer the pans to racks until cool enough to handle, then invert the cakes onto the racks to cool completely. Remove the parchment.
• Make the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a bowl with a mixer until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Beat in the confectioners' sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt until smooth.
• Put 1 cake layer on a platter. Spread with 1 tablespoon marmalade, then spread about 3/4 cup frosting over the marmalade. Top with another cake layer, marmalade and frosting. Spread the final cake layer with a thin layer of frosting. (This is the crumb coat; it doesn't have to be perfect.) Refrigerate 1 hour, then cover with the remaining frosting. Swirl some marmalade into the top of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Photograph by Con Poulos

TRIPLE-LAYER CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:
• Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Lightly grease waxed paper. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable oil in bowl until combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into sugar and oil mixture. Stir in carrots, chopped pecans and raisins.
• Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans, about 45 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature.)
• For frosting:
• Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with another cake layer. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting in decorative swirls over sides and top of cake. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.) Serve cake cold or at room temperature.

CRANBERRY-CARROT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, oil and orange zest. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and cloves; gradually add to egg mixture and mix well. Stir in carrots and cranberries. , Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, milk, ginger and orange zest if desired. , Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. If desired, top with sugared cranberries.

TRISHA YEARWOOD'S 6-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE: Preheat the oven to 350°F Grease the bottom of three 9-inch, round cake pans with cooking spray, line with circles of parchment paper, and grease the paper with cooking spray.
• With an electric mixer, cream the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture. Add the walnuts, coconut, carrot puree and pineapple. Beat until smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350°F or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool the layers in the pans for about 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn the layers out onto wire racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool the layers completely before frosting. (Note: After the layers have cooled, cutting will be much easier if you wrap each cooled cake layer in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.).
• CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: Combine the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and continue beating until fully combined. Add the vanilla.
• Slice each cake layer horizontally in half using an electric knife. Ease a piece of parchment between the layers and lift off the top portion. Frost the bottom slice then add the next layer. Continue until the entire cake is frosted.
• Press the chopped walnuts into the sides of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

3-LAYER CARROT CAKE WITH LEMON BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Butter three 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with wax paper; grease wax paper with butter.
• Combine cooked carrots, flour, white sugar, walnuts, pineapple, corn oil, eggs, cinnamon, baking soda, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl.
• Pour carrot mixture into a food processor, and blend, working in batches if necessary, until smooth. Divide batter among prepared cake pans.
• Bake cakes in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Cool in the pans for 5 minutes before inverting onto wire racks to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Beat cream cheese, 1 1/4 cup butter, lemon juice, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract together in a large bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until frosting is smooth.
• Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate and spread with 1/4 of the frosting. Place a second cake layer on top of the first; spread 1/4 of the frosting on top. Place third cake layer on top; frost top and sides with remaining 1/2 of the frosting.

TRISHA YEARWOOD'S 6-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• 1. FOR THE CAKE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease the bottom of three 9-inch, round cake pans with cooking spray, line with circles of parchment paper, and grease the paper with cooking spray. Set prepared pans aside.
• 2. With an electric mixer, cream the sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar mixture. Add the walnuts, coconut, carrot puree and pineapple. Beat until smooth.
• 3. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake for 40 to 45 minutes at 350°F or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• 4. Cool the layers in the pans for about 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of each pan and turn the layers out onto wire racks that have been sprayed with cooking spray. Cool the layers completely before frosting. (Note: After the layers have cooled, cutting will be much easier if you wrap each cooled cake layer in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.).
• 5. CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: Combine the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer and beat until smooth. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and continue beating until fully combined. Add the vanilla.
• 6. Slice each cake layer horizontally in half using an electric knife. Ease a piece of parchment between the layers and lift off the top portion. Frost the bottom slice then add the next layer. Continue until the entire cake is frosted.
• 7. Press the chopped walnuts into the sides of the cake. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FANTASTIC 3-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour three 8" or 9" round cake pans.
• Mix flour, baking soda and powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Make a well in the center. Add sugar, oil, applesauce, egg, and vanilla. Mix until just smooth; do not overmix.
• Use a food processor or blender to puree pineapple. Stir pineapple, walnuts, and coconut into batter. Pour into pans.
• Bake 35-40 minutes. Use a toothpick to make sure the centers are cooked through.
• Cool on baking racks. The centers may sink a little.
• Once thoroughly cooled, level the cakes. You may want to freeze them for a few minutes to make icing them easier.
• Mix butter and cream cheese until smooth, and add the powdered sugar. Start with 3 1/2 c and add more if necessary.
• Place the cake layers cut side down to frost. If you have problems with the cake crumbling, put it back in the freezer until it's harder.

CARROT MARMALADE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees (oven rack to secon-lowest position).
• Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
• In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
• In another bowl beat eggs, oil, vanilla, both sugars, marmalade and orange juice until well blended (about 3 minutes).
• Stir in the dry ingredients with a wooden spoon; mix to combine well.
• Fold in the carrots and nuts.
• Divide the batter between the two pans.
• Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the cakes test done.
• Transfer the cakes to racks and cool for about 15 minutes.
• Turn out the cakes onto racks to cool completely.
• Frost the cooled cake with favorite frosting.

TRIPLE-LAYER CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:.
• Preheat oven to 325°F Lightly grease three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Lightly grease waxed paper. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable oil in bowl until combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into sugar and oil mixture. Stir in carrots, chopped pecans and raisins.
• Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans, about 45 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature.).
• For frosting:.
• Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
• Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with another cake layer. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting in decorative swirls over sides and top of cake. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.) Serve cake cold or at room temperature.

THREE-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Lightly butter and flour the cake pans.
• Put the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and cocoa in a mixing bowl, and whisk together to blend. Put the sugars in a large mixing bowl, and whisk in the peanut oil. Then whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time, followed by the vanilla. When fully blended, add the flour mixture all at once, and mix just until smooth. Stir in the grated carrots and the pecans. Divide the batter evenly between the 3 cake pans. Drop each pan sharply onto the counter from a height of about 6 inches to remove any air pockets. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the center springs back gently when touched. Remove from the oven and place on cooling racks until completely cooled; then unmold.
• Place 1 of the cake layers, bottom side up, on a cake plate or pedestal. Spoon approximately 1/4 of the frosting onto the layer, and spread it over evenly. Place a second layer, bottom side down, on top of the first, and spread with an equal amount of frosting. Place the final layer, bottom side down, on top of the others and frost the top and sides with the remaining frosting. Store in a cool but not refrigerated area until ready to serve.
• Place the butter in the mixing bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed just until the butter begins to become malleable, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cream cheese, in pieces, and mix until thoroughly blended. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and vanilla, and mix until blended. Increase mixer speed slightly, and continue mixing for 2 to 3 minutes, until the frosting becomes light and fluffy. Remove from the mixer, and fold in the pecans.

TRIPLE-LAYER CARROT CAKE (W/ CREAM CHEESE FROSTING)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325. Lightly grease three 9-in diameter cake pans with 1 1/2 inch high sides. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Lightly grease waxed paper.
• Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable oil in bowl until combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into sugar and oil mixture. Stir in carrots.
• Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans, about 45 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely.
• Using electric mixer, beat powdered sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla in medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 c frosting. Top with another cake layer. Spread with 3/4 c frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula spread remaining frosting in decorative swirls over sides and top of cake. Serve cake cold or at room temperature.

CRANBERRY-CARROT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, oil and orange peel; mix well.
• Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and cloves; beat into egg mixture.
• Stir in carrots and cranberries.
• Pour into two greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans.
• Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• For frosting, in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
• Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, milk, ginger and orange peel if desired.
• Split each cake into two horizontal layers.
• Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.

TROPICAL CARROT LAYER CAKE WITH ISLAND ICING

Steps:

• (BAKING NOTES: AVOID 9-INCH CAKE PANS WHICH HAVE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE HANDLE TABS, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIT THREE 9-INCH PANS ON ONE BAKING RACK, WHICH IS RECOMMENDED FOR PROPER RISING AND EVEN BAKING. HERE IS A GUIDE FOR VARIATION BAKING TIMES AT 350°F: Two 8 x 1-1/2-inch round baking pans -- 35 to 40 minutes Two 9 x 1-1/2-inch round baking pans -- 30 to 35 minutes Two 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking pans -- 25 to 35 minutes Two 9 x 9 x 2-inch baking pans -- 25 to 35 minutes -- One 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan -- 30 to 35 minutes One 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan -- 25 to 30 minutes Cupcakes (half full of batter) -- 18 to 23 minutes). (STEP ONE): PLACE oven rack in center position; PREHEAT oven to 350°F; OIL three (9-inch) cake pans lightly; PRESS a sheet of parchment paper into the bottom of both cake pans: SCORE parchment paper around bottom perimeter of cake pan; CUT a circle from scored sheet; LINE the bottoms of cake pans with parchment paper cut-out; BUTTER top of parchment paper insert well; DUST the greased inserts lightly with flour; TAP out excess flour; SET prepared pans aside.
• PULSE 1 cup pre-roasted macadamia nuts in a food processor and save 2/3 cup for the cake and set aside; COARSELY grind remaining 1/3 cup macadamia nuts in processor for the garnish, transfer to separate small bowl and set aside; PEEL enough fresh carrots to yield 2 1/4 cups grated; SHAVE a few 3-4 inch strips from carrots using a vegetable peeler and place into ice water for the garnish; FINELY grate the remaining carrots using a food processor grate to yield 2 1/4 cups (remove any large chunks that may get in), transfer grated carrots to a large bowl; ADD 1 cup Baker's Angel Flake coconut to carrots in bowl; PUREE one medium very ripe banana in food processor; ADD all but 2 tablespoons of banana puree to carrot mixture (reserving 2 tablespoons banana puree for the icing); RESERVE juice from one (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple; ADD well-drained crushed pineapple to carrot mixture in bowl; BLEND the carrot/coconut/banana/pineapple mixture well and set aside until needed; FOLLOW the link if candied carrot curls are desired, courtesy of The Cupcake Project (with thanks): http://www.cupcakeproject.com/2010/04/candied-carrot-curls-unique-carrot.html.
• MIX the following dry ingredients together in a separate medium bowl: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon salt (omit if using salted butter), 1 teaspoon ground allspice (or 1/3 tsp each cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg), and 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder; SET aside.
• CREAM 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl using an electric stand mixer until light and fluffy; ADD 2 cups Coconut Secret brand Raw Coconut Crystals gradually to the creamed butter and beat well; CRACK 4 eggs into a separate container and remove any shell fragments; LIGHTLY beat eggs without adding to mixture.
• ALTERNATELY beat in the dry flour mixture and pour beaten egg mixture in one fourth increments on medium-low speed, until all of the flour mixture is used and all egg has been beaten into mixture; STOP mixer; ADD one 6 ounce container Yoplait pina colada yogurt, 1/4 cup natural coconut rum and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; MIX on lowest speed; SLOWLY add the carrot/coconut/banana/pineapple mixture while beating on medium speed (without over-mixing); RAISE standing mixer top and scrape attachment and bowl sides; REMOVE bowl from stand; FOLD in 2/3 cup coarsely chopped roasted macadamia nuts.
• DIVIDE batter equally into the 3 prepared pans; DROP each cake pan levelly onto countertop 3 times to disperse air pockets; PLACE cakes into oven; SET timer for 30 minutes; BAKE until timer sounds; TEST center(s) of cake(s) with a wooden toothpick or cake tester until it comes out clean (bake for an additional 5 minutes and test again); REMOVE baked cakes from oven; LEAVE the cakes in pans to rest and cool for 10 minutes; CAREFULLY invert and transfer cakes from pans onto cooling racks, peeling away parchment paper; ALLOW cakes to cool completely; ZEST one fresh lime to yield 1/4 teaspoon and set aside; SQUEEZE juice from lime to yield 2 teaspoons for the icing.
• INTO a small cup using a fork to blend, mix 2 tablespoons banana puree, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 2 teaspoons reserved pineapple juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons natural coconut rum, and 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; SET mixture aside; INTO a large mixing bowl add 12 ounces softened real cream cheese and 1 stick softened butter over; BEAT until creamy; SCRAPE the mixture of banana, juices, rum and extract into the mixing bowl; BEGIN beating; SIFT in the powdered sugar while beating constantly until smooth; SLOWLY pour in the reserved blend the ISLAND ICING until smooth and creamy.
• PLACE one cake layer top-side up on cake plate or cake stand; SPREAD about 2/3 cup of the ISLAND ICING on the first layer of cake; PLACE the second cake layer top-side down evenly over first; REPEAT procedures to the third layer top-side up again; FROST the sides of the cake first with the ISLAND ICING; COVER the top layer of cake loosely with plastic wrap; TOSS 1/3 cup ground macadamia nuts along the sides of the cake; REMOVE wrap from unfrosted top cake layer.
• FROST the top of the cake with the remaining ISLAND ICING, decorating in swirls (Note: Any leftover icing freezes well if stored in an airtight container then defrosted in refrigerator); SPRINKLE the top of the cake with 1/3 cup flaked coconut; GARNISH top with 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh carrot and a few flecks of fresh lime zest; REFRIGERATE for an hour to set icing before serving.
• CUT servings and place onto plates; TEMPER cake servings to room temperature, covered loosely with plastic wrap (OR) WARM cake uncovered in a microwave defrost setting just long enough to soften cake and temper frosting; SERVE and enjoy!

CARROT LAYER CAKE(COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• CAKE: Set a rack to the middle of your oven and preheat to 350-degrees. Grease an 18"x 13" rimmed baking sheet, line it with parchment paper, and then grease the parchment paper too.
• Shred four carrots on the large holes of a box grater or using the shedding disk and your food processor.
• In a medium bowl, add together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cloves. Whisk together until combined.
• In another large bowl add sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Use a whisk to combine until smooth. Gently stir in carrots and currants with a rubber spatula until evenly distributed. Finally, add in flour mixture and fold in with your rubber spatula, but only until it is just combined.
• Empty batter onto baking sheet. Use an offset spatula to smooth surface and ensure the batter is an even depth. Bake for about 15 minutes, rotating half-way through baking, until the center is firm when touched.
• Allow cake to cool for 5 minutes in pan set on a wire rack. Flip the cake onto a wire rack then immediately re-flip back onto a second wire rack. The cake should be resting with the parchment side down. Allow the cake to cool for another 30 minutes.
• FROSTING: While the cake is cooking, toast your pecans and chop them coarsely. Cut your cream cheese into 12 equal-size pieces, but keep it refrigerated until you are ready to use in step 3.
• Add the butter, sugar, buttermilk powder, vanilla extract and salt to the bowl of a standing mixer. Mix using the paddle attachment on low-speed for 2 minutes; scrape down the bowl as necessary.
• Increase mixer speed to medium-low, then add cream cheese one piece at a time. Mix for 2 minutes until the frosting is smooth.
• ASSEMBLY: Put cooled cake on a cutting board and cut into equal halves cross-wise. Cut length-wise so that you have 4 equal pieces, measuring about 6″x8″ each.
• Cut out a 6″x8″ rectangle out of stiff cardboard. Put the first of the cake piece on the cardboard. Use a spatula to spread 2/3-cup of frosting over layer. Repeat with two more layers.
• Place the final cake layer on top. Remove any crumbs from your spatula and frost the top with a 1-cup of frosting.
• Frost the sides of the cake with your remaining frosting. You just need enough frosting to hold the chopped pecans, not completely hide all the crumbs.
• Holding the cake with one hand, use your other hand to gently press the chopped pecans onto the side of your cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

SIX-LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• In large bowl beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar gradually. Beat until light and lemon colored. Slowly add oil, beating until combined. Sift together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold dry ingredients by thirds into egg mixture. Add carrots, raisins, and pecans. Combine well. Pour batter in equal quantities into 3 buttered and floured 8-inch round pans. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven 30 minutes or until tester comes out clean. When cake has completely cooled, cut each layer in half horizontally. To make frosting beat cream cheese,, butter, and confectioners sugar until creamy. Blend in pineapple and vanilla. Spread each layer with frosting, stacking evenly. Frost top and sides. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing. Cake may also be baked in a well-greased tube pan in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour. Check after 50 minutes.

DIVINE SIX LAYER CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Grease and flour three 8-in cake pans.
• Preheat oven to 350°F
• Mix oil and sugar in large bowl.
• Beat in eggs, one at a time.
• In another bowl, mix together dry ingredients.
• Add dry ingredients to egg mixture, blending well.
• Stir in grated carrots and pecans.
• Turn into prepared cake pans.
• Bake at 350F for 30 minutes, or until done.
• Cool in pans for 10 minutes then remove cakes and cool thoroughly.
• Cut each cake in half, crosswise so you end up with 6 disc-layers total.
• Place the first cake layer, cut side up and frost.
• Place the next layer cut side down on top of the frosted layer, frost it.
• Repeat previous two steps until all 6 layers are frosted.
• Garnish with whole pecans if desired.
• Pineapple cream cheese frosting.
• Beat cream cheese with butter until smooth.
• Add sugar a little at a time until smooth and fluffy.
• Blend in vanilla and drained pineapple.
• Chill about 30 minutes, or until spreading consistency.

TRIPLE-LAYER CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake: Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly grease three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Lightly grease waxed paper. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and vegetable oil in bowl until combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into sugar and oil mixture. Stir in carrots Pour batter into prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans, about 45 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly in plastic and store at room temperature.)
• For frosting: Using electric mixer, beat all ingredients in medium bowl until smooth and creamy. Place 1 cake layer on platter. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with another cake layer. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting in decorative swirls over sides and top of cake. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.) Serve cake cold or at room temperature.

CARROT LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease (with butter) an 18"x13" rimmed baking sheet, line with parchment, and grease parchment. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cloves together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla together until smooth. Stir in carrots. Add flour mixture and fold with a rubber spatula until mixture is just combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking sheet and smooth surface with an offset spatula. Bake until center of cake is firm to touch, about 15-18 minutes. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes. Invert cake onto wire rack (do not remove parchment) and then re-invert onto second wire rack. Cool cake completely, about 30 minutes. FOR THE FROSTING: Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat butter, sugar, buttermilk powder, vanilla extract and salt on a low speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. Increase speed to medium and add cream cheese cubes, one at a time, and mix all until smooth, about 2 minutes. TO ASSEMBLE: Transfer cooled cake to a cutting board parchment side down. Using a sharp knife, cut cake in half crosswise and then lengthwise to make 4 equal 6"x8" rectangles. Place first cake layer, parchment side up, on your plate and carefully remove the parchment. Using an offset spatula, spread 2/3 c of frosting evenly over cake layer. Repeat with 2 more layers, using 2/3 c. frosting to cover each layer. Place the last rectangle of cake on top and frost with 1 c. frosting. Use remaining frosting to cover sides. It's fine if some crumbs show through because they're going to be covered with the nuts. Hold cake gently with one hand and press pecan bits onto the sides with your other hand. Chill for at leats one hour before serving. Cake can be made and refrigerated for up to 24 hours.