HOMEMADE CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Earlier in the month we celebrated my grandmother’s 95th birthday.  Obviously, 95 is a big deal and worth a celebration.  A few weeks prior to her birthday, I asked my grandma what she was “wishing” for, for her birthday.  Normally, I like to give my family meaningful gifts, but what do you get a 95 year old?  Her answer was simple, a homemade carrot cake.  I was happy to honor her request and went to work coming up with a homemade carrot cake recipe which I’m sharing with you today.

Serves 12

Ingredients for Cake:
4 Eggs at Room Temperature (Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes)
3 Cups Finely Grated Carrots
3/4 Cup Canola Oil 
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 3/4 Cups Sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Directions: 
1.  Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.  
2.  Finely chop carrots in a mini-prep or food processor.  
3.  In a mixing bowl, mix in chopped carrots with dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.   
4.  Mix until dry ingredients and carrots are just combined. 
5.  Add wet ingredients: eggs and canola oil.  
6.  Mix until all ingredients are just combined.  
7.  Pour batter into pans, dividing batter evenly.  
8.  Bake each pan at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  

Ingredients for Frosting:
2 Packages of Cream Cheese, Softened 
1/2 Cup Butter, Softened
1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
2 Teaspoons Vanilla

Directions:
1.  Beat the cream cheese and butter well. 
2.  Add powdered sugar to mixture and beat well. 
3.  Add vanilla and beat until mixture is fluffy.  
4.  Once cakes have cooled frost with cream cheese frosting.  

I hope you enjoy this cake.  I think it is safe to say that my grandma had a very happy birthday and enjoyed her homemade carrot cake.  Happy baking!