GRANDMA COOKIE'S CARROT CAKE

Grandma Cookie's Carrot Cake image

Provided by Cara Metzger

Categories Cakes

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 18

2 c flour
2 c sugar
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 c oil
3/4 c applesauce
4 eggs
3 to 4 c carrots, shredded
1 tsp vanilla extract
FROSTING
1/2 c butter, room temperature
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 lb powdered sugar
1 c nuts chopped (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350. Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda and powder, cinnamon, and salt into a mixing bowl.
2. Add the oil, applesauce, and eggs. Mix until incorporated. Fold in the grated carrots.
3. Grease 2- 9" or 10" pans (could use one 13"x9" as well). Cut out parchment paper to cover the bottom of the pan and line the bottom with parchment then grease again. Sprinkle a little flour in the pan and shake pan to cover with flour. Divide the batter between pans.
4. Bake for approximately 35 minutes (until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean) when using 2 round pans, additional time may be necessary for using 13x9" pan. **you have to take into consideration TYPE of pan (glass, dark, etc) and SIZE (2-8" or 9" or 9X13") when baking anything! Also, not every oven is the same...the temperatures can be off (too high or low) or you can use convection which will also often change cooking times. Please use this as a guideline and check your cake every so often. I usually check mine around 1/2 hour and then every 5 minutes after that.
5. To make the frosting, blend cream cheese with butter until smooth. Blend in vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. Fold in nuts if using. Wait until the cake is completely cooled and then frost.
6. **I like to use a little cinnamon or nutmeg occasionally in my frosting. Also, I like to toast coconut and use it while decorating.