Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (2024)

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by Amy @ Mom Spark on April 12, 2014//This post may contain affiliate links.

This Mini 6″ Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake has a tasty cream cheese buttercream frosting that is the perfect dessert.

Easter and carrot cake go so well together, don’t you think? This Mini 6″ Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake is so adorable and perfect for an Easter dessert. In between each layer of moist carrot cake is a tasty cream cheese buttercream frosting. While some cream cheese frosting recipes go heavy on the cream cheese, using two blocks at times, this recipe keeps the ratio of butter higher than the cream cheese, which I loved. This ratio of butter to cream cheese makes the frosting lighter tasting and still rich in flavor.

Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (1)

I used a recipe from Wicked Good Kitchen for the cake and frosting.

Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (2)

The only thing I changed from the cake recipe was that I used smaller 6″ pans, so my baking time was less than the original recipe. Many thanks to Stacy and be sure to check out her amazing food site, Wicked Good Kitchen for more recipes. Enjoy!

Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (3)

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This Mini 6" Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake has a tasty cream cheese buttercream frosting that is perfect for an Easter dessert.

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Ingredients

For the Carrot Cake Layers:

  • 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • teaspoons kosher salt
  • teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated whole nutmeg
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups grated carrot about 4 large carrots
  • ¾ cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • ½ cup chopped fresh pineapple or drained crushed pineapple
  • Butter or favorite cooking oil for greasing cake pans

For the Cream Cheese Buttercream:

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 4 to 4½ cups confectioners’ sugar

Optional Garnish:

  • crushed nuts or whole nuts, like pecans or walnuts
  • shredded coconut

Instructions

  • Prepare the Carrot Cake Layers: Arrange oven rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 325º F. Grease four 6-inch round cake pans with butter or oil. Line bottoms with parchment or wax paper circles. Grease paper linings and dust lined pans with flour, tapping out the excess.

  • Using an electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer and large bowl, mix flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices on low speed (stir) until well combined.

  • Add oil, eggs and vanilla; mix on low speed (stir), scraping down the sides of bowl as necessary with rubber spatula. Beat on medium speed until well blended, about 2 minutes. Fold in carrots, coconut and pineapple and mix until thoroughly combined. Using rubber spatula, scrape and pour batter into prepared pans, dividing evenly (about 1 1/2 cups of batter per cake pan). Smooth tops evenly with rubber spatula.

  • Bake in center of preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 22 to 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Run thin knife around edges of each cake to loosen, then invert onto wire rack and peel away parchment or wax paper. Turn right side up onto wire racks (using an additional rack to flip); cool completely.

  • Prepare the Cream Cheese Buttercream: Using an electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or handheld mixer and large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla on medium speed. Gradually increase mixer speed to high and continue beating until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of bowl as necessary with rubber spatula. Gradually add 4 cups confectioners’ sugar, beating on low speed (stir), until well combined. Add additional confectioners’ sugar until desired consistency for spreading and level of sweetness is reached. Beat on high speed until well combined and smooth, about 1 minute.

  • To decorate cake: Using a cake leveler, cut off the uneven tops of the cake layers to make all the layers even. Place the first layer of cake down on your serving dish / cake plate. Add a large dollop of frosting to the cake, and spread evenly, taking care to make sure the edges look neat if you are leaving the sides plain like I did. Add the next layer of cake and repeat until all layers have been added. Top the final cake layer with frosting and any garnishes, such as shredded coconut, whole pecans, or other whole or crushed nuts.

Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (4)

Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (5)

Amy @ Mom Spark

Founder of Mom Spark – a lifestyle blog for moms.

posted in: Cake + Cupcakes, Easter, Easter, Food

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    10 Comments on “Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe”

  1. Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (6)

    Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen Reply

    Hahaha! Guess what I’m baking this weekend? 😉 Thank you for featuring my recipes for Classic Carrot Cake and Best Ever Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting on your lovely blog, Amy. Your 6-inch 4-layer carrot cake looks divine and so pretty adorned with pecans. Your family of readers will love the recipes. Also, thank you for the kind things you wrote about my blog and for the link love. I appreciate it so very much. Meanwhile, have a fabulous weekend!

    • Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (7)

      Mom Spark Reply

      Thank you so much, Stacy. 🙂

    • Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (8)

      Ali Reply

      You are welcome Stacy 🙂 Everyone loved it and the pecans added some great flavor too that I hand’t thought of before for carrot cake. Love your recipes and your blog!

  2. Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (9)

    Emilie Reply

    Looks amazing! Carrot Cake is a favorite of mine and love the addition of pineapple. Yum! Off to pin. 🙂

    • Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (10)

      Ali Reply

      Thanks Emilie 🙂

  3. Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (11)

    Kim Reply

    Can other sized pans be used instead of the ones listed?

    • Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (12)

      Mom Spark Reply

      I’m sure that is just fine. 🙂

  4. Pingback: 21 Yummy Sweet and Savory Carrot Recipes - Mom Gab

  5. Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (13)

    Behealthis.Com Reply

    This recipe can easily be converted into a cupcake recipe. I do recommend that you use parchment liners because this cake is very moist and could stick to regular paper liners.

    • Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (14)

      Mom Spark Reply

      Absolutely!

Mini Layered Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can I use pineapple juice instead of water in a cake mix? ›

I also like using the pineapple juice from the canned pineapple in place of water (or with water) in the cake mix. Once the cake comes from the oven you're done. No icing or decorating needed.

Why is my carrot cake soggy in the middle? ›

When a cake is wet in the middle it is because the edges have cooked faster than the centre. This happens because of the way the cake cooks naturally in the tin – the sides of the cake tin heat up first.

Why is my carrot cake not fluffy? ›

The key to a soft and fluffy carrot cake is to have the carrots bake into the crumb. If you coarsely grate the carrots, then they will not bake as quickly and will stay as threads through the cake which can get stuck in your teeth. For maximum flavor and the best texture, you'll need to grate them finely.

Does Costco have mini carrot cakes? ›

🧁 DELICIOUS Mini Carrot Cakes at Costco! These are one of my bakery favorites!

What does adding milk instead of water do to cake? ›

Milk's fat and protein add tenderness, structure, and flavor to a cake — all great attributes you want in your baking!

What makes a cake more moist water or milk? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

Is butter or oil better for carrot cake? ›

Unsalted butter, canola oil or coconut oil are acceptable substitutes for salted butter. I recommend using butter for the best flavor. Granulated sugar.

How to prevent carrots from turning green in carrot cake? ›

If your carrots turn inexplicably green with a recipe you've used many times before, the likely culprit is that the baking soda didn't get fully dispersed throughout the batter. If your carrots are turning green every time you make the recipe, the ratio of baking soda in the recipe is probably off.

How fine should carrots be grated for carrot cake? ›

Think thin

It's true that carrots are the star of the show, but aim for finely grated pieces rather than chunky. The finer you grate the carrots, the more evenly they will be distributed throughout the cake (for the perfect texture), and the more evenly the cake and the carrots will bake.

Why do carrots turn black in carrot cake? ›

Our answer. The green flecks are carrot but the colour has been changed by the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in the mixture. Some pigments are sensitive to pH balances and will change colour if they are in a very acid or very alkaline environment.

Why does my carrot cake always sink in the middle? ›

There's too much liquid. Opening the oven or moving pans during baking. Oven temperature is too low, or cake isn't baked long enough.

How to tell if carrot cake is done? ›

The cake is usually done when you see the sides of the cake just start to pull away from the pan. The outer edges will look dry and you'll see a gap forming between the edge of the cake and the side of the pan.

Does Pepperidge Farm make carrot cake? ›

Pepperidge Farms Carrot Cake | Frozen Foods | Quality Foods.

Does Aldi have carrot cake? ›

The 32-ounce carrot cake is made of a spiced cake layered with thick cream cheese frosting and iced carrot decor on top. Plus, it will only cost you $7.99.

What is in Publix carrot cake? ›

Sugar, Cornstarch, Soybean Oil, Carrots, Enriched Bleached Flour (wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Cream Cheese (pasteurized Milk And Cream, Salt, Guar Gum, Cheese Cultures, Carob Bean Gum, Xanthan Gum), Palm Oil, Walnuts, Egg Yolk, Egg Whites, Baking Soda, Nonfat Milk, ...

Can you substitute juice for water in cake mix? ›

You can also think 'outside of the box and use other non-dairy liquids: Try swapping out the water for soda, juice (orange juice is great with vanilla / yellow cake), or even a stout beer or coffee (for chocolate cake).

What can you substitute for water in Betty Crocker cake mix? ›

Yes, you can substitute milk for water when preparing SuperMoist cake mixes, however, the cake may be slightly drier than if prepared with water. Also keep in mind that milk will add calories and change the nutrition slightly.

Can I use juice instead of milk in a cake? ›

Any liquid can be substituted for the milk in a recipe with a 1:1 ratio. Choose the best liquid for your recipe: Is your recipe sweet or savory? You may choose between a fruit juice, water or broth, depending on if your recipe's flavors.

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