Shelly's Recipe

CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Category: Cakes

3 cups grated carrots
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and orange zest
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice
3/4 cup chopped pecans and raisins, optional

3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese cheese
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a 13x9 inch pan. In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, dry ingredients and orange zest. Stir in eggs, oil, 1 1/4 tsp vanilla, pineapple, pecans and raisins. Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners sugar, cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then stir in 1 cup chopped pecans. Spread on cooled cake.