Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling

Makes

14 servings

Updated: Nov. 07, 2022
This moist cake smothered with rich cream cheese frosting makes any dinner festive. Every autumn, I go to a cranberry festival in Wisconsin and load up on fresh cranberries to freeze for year-round cooking. —Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois
Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1-1/4 cups canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 2% milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest, optional
  • Sugared cranberries, optional

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
  3. For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar, milk, ginger and, if desired, orange zest.
  4. Cut each cake horizontally into 2 layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread frosting between layers and over top and side of cake. If desired, top with sugared cranberries.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 729 calories, 43g fat (15g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 84g carbohydrate (67g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.