• AIMEE’S PRETTY PALATE
    • Mardi Gras Brunch
    • Perfect for a Picnic
    • There’s an App for That
    • Keepin It Cool
    • Fan-tastic Flavors
    • Quick Fix
    • Gone to the Dogs
    • Farmer’s Market Finds
    • Sheet Pan Suppers
    • Oh, the Pastabilities
    • Giving Thanks
    • Merry Berries
  • PICNICS, POTLUCKS & PORCH PARTIES COOKBOOK

Aimee Broussard & Co.

Heirloom Recipes + Sweet Southern Charm

  • HOME
  • ABOUT AIMEE
    • PRIVACY POLICY
  • RECIPES
    • APPETIZERS
    • BEVERAGES
    • BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
    • DESSERTS
    • DINNERTIME
    • FOR THE DOGS
    • ON THE SIDE
    • SOUPS/SALADS
    • TAILGATING
  • THE TRAVELING APRON
    • ABOUT THE TRAVELING APRON
    • DOWNLOAD RECIPE CARDS
    • SIGN UP FOR A FUTURE SWAP
  • CONTACT

RECIPES Uncategorized

Multi Layer Naked Carrot Cake

Multi Layer Naked Carrot Cake

You know what gets a bad rap in my opinion ? The carrot cake. People hear carrot and crinkle their noses. And when I say people, I’m also referring to my former self.

When I was out of state training for my insurance job back in the day, a former co-worker ordered a slice of carrot cake while at dinner one night. “Carrot cake?!” I exclaimed. This guy was from North Carolina and loved him some carrot cake. And when I say he loved carrot cake, he was prepared to go to battle to defend his cake of choice. Which got me thinking, why was it that I didn’t like carrot cake? Was it merely the name? And then it got me further thinking, had I truly not ever had a piece of carrot cake??

My mother didn’t bake. I can recall only a handful of times that she made a cobbler or two with the fresh blackberries that would pop up along the fence line. My mother’s mother baked occasionally but I can’t recall her ever making a carrot cake either. My father’s mother didn’t really cook or bake and when sheย would take me out to dinner and allow a dessert selection, I wasn’t choosing anything with the word carrot in it. Therefore, it is quite possible that I was in my 20’s and had NEVER had carrot cake until that fateful dinner in Jacksonville, Florida with the guy from North Carolina who swore by his beloved carrot cake.

Multi Layer Naked Carrot Cake

One bite and I was inquisitive. Two bites and I was sold.

Tastes nothing like carrots!

Nearly 10 tens later, I’m cranking out a multi layer naked carrot cake that will stop you in your tracks.

Multi Layer Naked Carrot Cake

Deliciously moist and if the irresistibly decadent cream cheese layers don’t call out your name, nothing will.

Multi Layer Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Author: Aimee
Prep time: 1 hour 30 mins
Cook time: 45 mins
Total time: 2 hours 15 mins
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 1/2 cups finely grated peeled carrots (a 1 pound bag)
  • 1/2 cup seedless raisins
  • 1 cup walnut pieces, chopped
  • Frosting
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Instructions
  1. * This recipe will make 3 9 inch layers. I used 8 inch pans to get the thinner 5 layers. *
  2. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly spray three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with non stick cooking spray, then line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Spray the waxed paper, too and set aside.
  3. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and oil until combined. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and then gradually add into the sugar and oil mixture. Stir in raisins and grated carrots. Mix well.
  4. Pour the batter into prepared pans, dividing equally. Bake 40-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean and cakes begin to pull away from sides of pans. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks and cool completely.
  5. Frosting
  6. Using an electric mixer, beat all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
  7. Place 1 cake layer on cake stand and spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with another cake layer. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat until you get to the top and run out of layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Using icing spatula, spread remaining frosting on top of the cake, then sprinkle the chopped walnuts.
3.4.3177

ย Now, there are variety of ways you could change up the recipe. For starters, I left the sides of my cake “naked” because I always swoon when I see a naked cake on Pinterest. I also omitted chopped nuts from the batter the cake and instead opted for chopped walnuts on top of the cake. I was going for presentation but the cake tastes the same if you would like to add the nuts to the batter and instead frost the sides and top with the nuts. If you want to use pecans rather than walnuts, then go for it!

I adorned the cake with some pink flowers to make it Valentine’s Day appropriate, but I could totally see using pale yellows or soft pink roses for a baby shower, dark red for anniversaries, and maybe even all white for a really neutral and stunning cake.

The sky is the limit and I’m so glad I was brave enough to try the carrot cake. I won’t be turning back anytime soon.

Do you have something you thought you’d hate but turned into something you’d love?

You Might Also Like:

  • Cheesy Cajun Chicken Bowtie PastaCheesy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta
  • Raspberry Jam Brownies Raspberry Jam Brownies
  • Holiday Hostessing With Deviled Eggs (3 Ways) Holiday Hostessing With Deviled Eggs (3 Ways)
  • Mason Jar Green Goddess SaladMason Jar Green Goddess Salad


8 Comments

About Aimee

Southern born and raised, Aimee enjoys living life in the deep South with husband Brian and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Milo, Murph, Tucker and their occasional foster dog. A graduate of Louisiana College, she once haphazardly traded in a career in corporate insurance for the aprons and ovens of her kitchen. AimeeBroussard.com is the online diary of her journey as an award-winning cookie creator and two-time cookbook author.

Subscribe

Get the latest recipes delivered to your inbox weekly!

Previous Post: « Easy Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Jar
Next Post: Oscar Worthy Mini Burgers featuring Fried Green Tomatoes & Shrimp Remoulade »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly says

    February 13, 2015 at 11:40 am

    I love the story that goes along with this naked cake! I was the same way with macarons. I’m not a big meringue fan and just assumed I wouldn’t like macarons since they’re made with egg whites and have the same texture as meringue. At first, I didn’t think I liked them, but I gave them another try this past year and I dare say they may be replacing my cupcake addiction!

    Reply
  2. ang says

    February 24, 2015 at 11:35 am

    This looks just amazing! I’m pinning for later ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  3. Kristal Lee - Atutudes says

    March 6, 2015 at 11:48 am

    This is absolutely gorgeous. Must move closer to you to be a taste-tester and a helper….

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      March 8, 2015 at 10:23 am

      Please do!!! We would have such fun creating & baking!!!

      Reply
  4. Gracie Chu says

    January 1, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    This is a really good cake and EXACTLY what I was looking for! However, I found there was too much rising agent. I followed the recipe exactly but my cakes collapsed, went bubbly and had the after taste typical of too much bicarb. In the end I just remade and added 1 tsp of each rising agent and they came out perfectly! Thanks for sharing the recipe though- absolutely love it ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • Aimee says

      January 13, 2016 at 11:41 am

      Oh my goodness, Gracie THANK YOU so much for taking the time to let me know about your experience. I had a feeling it was a mistake/typo in the ingredients, but made the cake both ways just to be certain and you’re right- 2 tsp was overkill! I’m so sorry about that. Again, thank you so very much for keeping me on my toes! Recipe has been adjusted!!!

      Reply
  5. Joann says

    March 29, 2018 at 2:14 pm

    Question how deep were your 8″ pans? I have 8×3″ will that be too deep?

    Reply
    • Aimee- Southern From Scratch says

      March 30, 2018 at 10:01 am

      Mine were 2″, so yours will be deeper but I don’t think it will matter much.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING?

CLICK THE MIXER & MEET AIMEE:

CLICK THE MIXER & MEET AIMEE:

Hi, I'm Aimee. Southern born and raised, a self proclaimed accidental entrepreneur with a penchant for porches and sweet hospitality. I'm a two time cookbook author, recipe developer and award winning cookie creator making my home in the deep South with husband, Brian and a gaggle of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. WELCOME to my online front porch.

Stay updated!

Get all the latest tasty goodness straight to your inbox!

LATEST FROM INSTAGRAM

aimeebroussard

๐Ÿฐ Heirloom Recipes with sweet Southern Charm
๐Ÿฝ Recipe developer + food columnist
๐Ÿ“š Cookbook Author x2 + Traveling Apron Founder
You hungry? ๐Ÿ‘‡

aimeebroussard
Need to feel toasty this weekend? This Pecan Prali Need to feel toasty this weekend? This Pecan Praline French Toast Casserole might do the trick. Happy Friday! ๐ŸŒท #weekendbrunch #brunching
When life gives you lemons, head to @sprouts to gr When life gives you lemons, head to @sprouts to grab everything you need to whip together these Easy Lemon Cheesecake Parfaits for an afternoon (or breakfast, or after-dinner dessert) pick me up! ๐Ÿ‹ ๐Ÿ‹ Made with a gluten free vanilla cookie crust & NEW on the blog today; just what you need to welcome spring. #lovesprouts #celebratecitrus
Happy Mardi Gras! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’œ Scroll through the Happy Mardi Gras! ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’œ Scroll through the pop tarts, pull apart bread, king cake cocktail or the award winning Pecan Praline King Cake cookies to see if you canโ€™t find a way to virtually celebrate with us today. Weโ€™re heading to the parades!! โœŒ๏ธ(ps: all recipes on the blog- and the homepage has a section devoted to ALL things Mardi Gras) ๐Ÿ’š๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’œ#mardigras2020 #onlyinlouisiana #mardigras #throwmesomethingmister
Merry Everything! This year we are especially grat Merry Everything! This year we are especially grateful to be the ones to provide a warm, safe, cozy home for my @thecavalierrescue foster, Beauty. She may be 5, but she is certainly enjoying her very first Christmas of freedom. ๐Ÿพโค๏ธ๐ŸŽ… PS: hop on my stories, she just presented the weather #Furcast! ๐Ÿ˜‚ #christmasjammies #brproud
Heโ€™s making a list, checking it twice, this Hol Heโ€™s making a list,  checking it twice, this Holiday Sangria is gonna taste nice.... Santa Claus is comin to town! ๐ŸŽ… Donโ€™t let Santa go thirsty, hereโ€™s what you need:
1 bottle riesling
1 cup white grape juice
2 Granny Smith apples, sliced thin
1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen
1 cup green grapes
1 bottle prosecco
Rosemary sprigs for garnish (optional) 
In a large pitcher, stir together riesling and grape juice, then add fresh fruit. Chill in refrigerator. Just prior to serving, stir in prosecco. Garnish each drink with rosemary if desired.
Serves 6-8 depending on how festive your peeps are! ๐Ÿน ๐ŸŽ…๐Ÿน
A chocolatey twist on a holiday classic and coming A chocolatey twist on a holiday classic and coming in cute over on the blog. Go win your cookie swaps, yโ€™all and may your weekend be as happy as my gingerbread mug men. ๐ŸŽ… ๐ŸŒฒ #cookieswap #madefromscratch #gingerbreadcookies
Can we talk about this Caramel Apple Tart? It's oo Can we talk about this Caramel Apple Tart? It's ooey, gooey and has all the flavors of a caramel apple baked in a pie/tart form. If you don't have a false bottom tart pan, add it to your Santa list! The freestanding crust makes everything look more impressive! Recipe is NEW for the @Dixie_Crystals website! ๐Ÿ ๐Ÿฅง ๐Ÿ #bakedfromscratch #caramelapple
Did you get your December @inregister copy yet? It Did you get your December @inregister copy yet? It may be one of my MOST favorite Aimeeโ€™s Pretty Palate columns to date. โค๏ธ Homemade gifts are my love language and nothing says Iโ€™m thinking of you more than: Pumpkin Pie Spice to make your own lattes at home, Gingerbread Flavoring to make some Gingerbread House Popcorn (recipe on blog!) while you watch Hallmark movies or some Cajun Seasoning that will make a delightful hostess gift. All recipes AND those cute little downloadable tags are on the blog for you. Seasoned Greetings! Get it? Seasoned? Ha! ๐ŸŽ ๐ŸŽ… ๐ŸŒฒ #handmadeholiday #howiholiday #aimeesprettypalate
Popping in to say hello with these Spiced Pear Bre Popping in to say hello with these Spiced Pear Breakfast Pastries aka Pop Tarts. ๐Ÿ NEW on the blog! PS: My senior pup (Tucker) had eye surgery on Tuesday and Iโ€™ve been riding the struggle ๐ŸšŒ trying to save his eye since last week. ๐Ÿถ Surgery was a success and I just dumped like 5 new holiday posts on the blog so refill your coffee before heading over for this recipe! ๐Ÿ’š #pears #nationalpearmonth #lovesprouts #sproutsbrand
Follow on Instagram
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: There is no connected account for the user 49863990.

IT’S SOUP SEASON:

Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli

Slow Cooker Pasta e Fagioli Recipe

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Slow Cooker Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

WHEN YOU NEED DINNER:

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Slow Cooker Red Beans & Rice

Cheesy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta

Cheesy Cajun Chicken Bowtie Pasta

Pecan Crusted Chicken Carbonara

Pecan Crusted Chicken Carbonara

FOOTBALL FOOD:

Pecan Praline Baked Brie

Pecan Praline Baked Brie

Peanut Butter Molasses Football Cookies

Peanut Butter Molasses Football Cookies for Dogs

Bacon Ranch Football Cheeseball

Bacon Ranch Football Cheeseball

Honey Garlic Party Meatballs

Honey Garlic Party Meatballs

Footer

GO AHEAD, TREAT YOURSELF:

Mardi Gras King Cake Fudge

Mardi Gras King Cake Fudge

King Cake Cracker Candy

King Cake Cracker Candy

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Balls

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Balls

Peppermint Candy Fudge

Peppermint Candy Fudge

http://sprouts.com/

Spiced Vanilla Pear Tart

Copyright © 2021 ยท Aimee Broussard & Co.