Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake

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

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Nellie Runne, Rockford, Illinois

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on 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

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Cranberry-Carrot Layer Cake

Contest Winner
Yield:14 servings
Prep:20 min
Cook:25 min

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
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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 with frosting. Add remaining layers, spread frosting between each layer. Frost top and side of cake. If desired, top with sugared cranberries.
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