DELICIOUSLY MOIST CARROT CAKE

Deliciously Moist Carrot Cake image

Provided by Cassie *

Categories Cakes

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 17

PREP TIME CAN BE CUT WAY DOWN IF YOU HAVE A FOOD PROCESSOR FOR GRATING THE CARROTS
1 - 16.25 oz yellow cake mix
1 - 3.25 box instant, french vanilla pudding mix , you could use plain vanilla
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 c raisins
enough orange juice to soak raisins - i do this the night before making...a few hours would work ( this step is totally optional)
2/3 c orange juice
3 c grated carrots
1/2 c chopped, walnuts
FROSTING
1 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 c unsalted butter, softened
3 - 31/2 c confectioners' sugar
3 - 4 Tbsp orange juice, or to spreading consistency
1/2 tsp orange extract, optional

Steps:

1. I prepped for this cake last night, grated the carrots, chopped nuts and soaked the raisins. It took a total of 5 minutes to put together. You don't have to soak the raisins, I just like how it plumps them and makes them a lot softer. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Grease and flour 2 - 9 inch cake pans. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cake mix, pudding and cinnamon together.
3. Whisk the eggs, orange juice and oil in a separate bowl. Now, pour this into the dry ingredients and mix well. It will be a thick batter.
4. Stir in raisins, walnuts and shredded carrots. Stir until well combined.
5. Pour evenly into the 2 cake pans. I plop them each once on the counter, to release any air bubbles. Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, or until pick comes out clean.
6. Remove from oven to a cooling rack. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove the cakes, and continue cooling on racks.
7. Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the butter until fluffy.
8. Add sugar, orange extract if using and enough orange juice until frosting is smooth and spreadable. Note: If you don't want the orange flavor, just add vanilla and 3 - 4 tablespoons of cream or milk in the place of the orange juice.
9. Spread frosting on the bottom cake layer. Then spread on top and sides. I saved some frosting out, to color and decorate. Being it's a birthday cake, had to fancy it up...
10. Although I have never made this into a 9 x 13, I'm quite sure you could...adjust baking time accordingly. Enjoy!