Carrot Cake.

Ingredients of Carrot Cake

1. Prepare of Carrot Cake:.
2. Prepare 1 cup of pecans or walnuts- lightly baked & coarsely chopped.
3. Prepare 340 g of raw carrots (about 2 1/2 cups finely grated).
4. Prepare 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
5. It’s 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
6. You need 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.
7. Prepare 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
8. You need 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
9. You need 4 of large eggs.
10. Prepare 1 1/2 cups of granulated white sugar.
11. Prepare 1 cup of sunflower, vegetable or canola oil (or other flavorless oil).
12. You need 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
13. It’s of Cream Cheese Frosting:.
14. You need 1/4 cup (57 grams) of unsalted butter, room temperature.
15. It’s 8 ounces (227 grams) of cream cheese, room temperature.
16. It’s 2 cups (230 grams) of confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted.
17. It’s 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of pure vanilla extract.
18. It’s 1 teaspoon (4 grams) of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
19. You need 1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest (outer yellow skin) (optional).

Carrot Cake step by step

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Butter, or spray cake pan..
2. Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon..
3. With electric mixer, beat the eggs until frothy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and vanilla extract and beat, on high speed, until the batter is thick and light colored (about 3 – 4 minutes). With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the oil in a steady stream and then beat until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat just until incorporated. With a rubber spatula fold in the grated carrots and chopped nuts..
4. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean..
5. Cream Cheese Frosting: With electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and beat until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). Add the lemon juice and beat until incorporated. Add the soft cream cheese in four to five additions (scraping the bowl as needed), beating until incorporated and the frosting is nice and smooth..
6. To Assemble: Once the cake is cool, slice it in the middle. Place one layer of the cake on your serving platter. Spread with about 3/4 cup (150 grams) of the frosting. Gently place the second cake layer onto the frosting and spread the rest of the frosting over the top and sides of the cake. If desired, garnish with toasted nuts. Serve cold or bring to room temperature before serving..