Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Truly Scrumptious Carrot Cake

Truly Scrumptious Carrot Cake

2 c. sugar
2 c. flour
2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3 t. cinnamon
1 ½ c. vegetable oil (I use only ¾ cup)
4 eggs
3 c. grated carrots
1 c. chopped nuts (opt.)
1 t. vanilla

Sift together sugar, flour, soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in oil. Add eggs, one at a time; mix well after each addition. Add carrots, nuts, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly. Pour into a greased 13 X 9 X 2 inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30 (may take up to 45 minutes, depending upon oven) minutes. Cool in pan. Spread with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe from Betty Crocker’s New Cookbook

This frosting is perfect because the amount of powdered sugar does not over-power the taste of the cream cheese.

Prep: 10 minutes
Makes 16 servings, about 2 ½ cups

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons milk
1 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla in a medium bowl at a low speed until smooth.
2. Gradually beat in powdered sugar on low speed, 1 cup at a time, until smooth and spreadable.
Frosts one 13 X 9-inch cake generously, or fills and frosts one 8- or 9-inch cake. Refrigerate any remaining frosting.

Variation: Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting: Add 2 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled, with the butter.

~~~♥~~~