Let’s get baking! Follow these straightforward steps to bring this delicious cake to life in your own kitchen.

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. These spices will infuse the cake with warmth and aroma.
3. In another large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy. This will take about 3 minutes.
4. Slowly add the oil and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture, beating until well combined.
5. Fold in the grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins. This is where the cake starts to come together, much like the stories my dad told while cooking.
6. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. We’re aiming for a batter that’s just combined.
7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. For the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beating until creamy and well blended.
10. Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of one cake layer, place the second layer on top, and frost the top and sides of the cake.