Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

One of my favorite cakes.  It has carrots, so it has to be healthy right?  This can be made as an 9” x 13” pan or as a 2 round  9” layer cake.  This cake is very heavy and rich.  You won’t need a big piece. 

2 C. Flour
2 tsp. Cinnamon
2 tsp. Baking Powder
2 C. Carrots, shredded
2 C. Sugar
4 Eggs
1 tsp. Salt
1 C. Vegetable Oil
1 C. Pecans, chopped

In a bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.  In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and oil for 2 minutes.  Beat in eggs, one at a time.  Add flour mixture , beating just until blended.  Mix in carrots and pecans.  Batter will be very thick.  Pour batter into greased cake pans.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 – 40 minutes until toothpick inserted in middle of cake comes out clean.  Cool completely on rack before icing. 

 Cream Cheese Icing

1 stick Butter, softened at room temp.
16 – 24 oz. Powdered Sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla
8oz. Cream Cheese, at room temp
1 C. Pecans, chopped

In large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients except pecans until well blended.  Stir in nuts.