Carrot Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This layered spice cake recipe with carrot and apple features a cream cheese frosting that really takes it over the top.

• Preparation Time: 60 mins
• Cooking Time: 45 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 580 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 cup vegetable oil
• 0.75 cup white sugar
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.75 cup chopped pecans
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.25 teaspoon ground allspice
• 0.75 cup raisins
• 0.13 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups grated carrot
• 1 cup peeled and grated Granny Smith apple
• 4.5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease two 8-inch square pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Step 2

Whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice together in a bowl; set aside.

Step 3

Beat butter, oil, brown sugar, and white sugar together in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat batter for an additional 2 minutes after adding last egg. Beat in vanilla extract. Pour in half of the flour mixture; mix on low speed until just combined. Pour in buttermilk; mix until just combined. Pour in remaining flour mixture; mix until just combined. Fold in carrot, apple, raisins, and pecans.

Step 4

Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Spread into an even layer in each pan.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until the top of the cake springs back lightly when touched and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes.

Step 6

Allow cakes to cool in pans for 20 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours more.

Step 7

Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until completely smooth; beat in cream cheese until smooth and thoroughly combined. Beat in confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition; beat in vanilla and salt. Add in heavy cream; beat on medium-high until frosting is slightly fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Step 8

Spread frosting onto one cooled cake layer. Stack layers; frost top and sides.