Southern Style Carrot Cake

Ingredients

Carrot Cake

    2½ cups all purpose flour

    1½ cups granulated sugar

    4 tsp cinnamon

    1 tsp salt

    1½ tsp baking soda

    4 eggs, lightly beaten

    1 tsp vanilla extract

    1 cup canola oil

    3 cups grated carrots

    ½ cup raisins

Cream Cheese Frosting

    16 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

    2 sticks of butter, room temperature

    3 tsp vanilla extract

    2 cups powdered sugar

    ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Instructions

Carrot Cake

    Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 9" cake pans

    In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt and baking soda and set aside

    In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla extract and canola oil.

    Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir them together using a spatula until combined

    Stir in the carrots and raisins

    Pour into the three 9" cake pans and bake for 20-25 minutes

    Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

    Beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract together until they are fully incorporated

    Add the powdered sugar and mix until it is smooth and creamy

    When frosting the cake, sprinkle the chopped nuts onto the frosting between the layers