Projects - Cooking - Carrot Cake

350* until toothpick is clean, about 40 minutes

• Main cake:
  • 3 cups grated carrots (about 6)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
  • 3/4 cup chopped pecans
• Frosting
  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup chopped pecans

The vegetable oil may seem like a lot, but don’t worry about it.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine grated carrots, flour, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in eggs, oil, 1 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, pineapple and 3/4 cup chopped pecans. Spoon batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
4. To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine confectioners’ sugar, Neufchatel cheese, 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla. Beat until smooth. Spread on cooled cake. Then sprinkle 1 cup chopped pecans on top.