The Suburbanatrix

Carrot cake is all about the spice, and I love  spices. That and the cream cheese frosting, of course.  So when my step-dad mentioned his love of carrot cake, I was excited to make one to split with him.  Not fair for him to get the whole thing.  PS- Thanks for washing my car!

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 packet vanilla pudding mix
• 1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 eggs
• 1-1/4 granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup canola oil
• 3-1/2 cups shredded  carrots (about 7-8 medium)

Frosting Ingredients:

• 1 cup cream cheese (1-8oz package) softened
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3 tbsp butter flavored shortening (you could leave this out, but it makes a difference!)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar

You’re going to need two mixing bowls, one medium and one large and an electric hand mixer for the frosting. You’ll also need either 2 round cake pans or 1  9X13 inch pan to bake it in.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

In the medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla pudding mix, cinnamon, nutmeg, pepper, cloves and salt. Also known as the first 9 ingredients on the list!

Set it aside.

In the large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, brown sugar, and milk.

After that is thoroughly mixed, whisk in your butter until combined, and then whisk in the oil.  Make sure both the butter and oil are completely blended. You’re not done whisking if it looks like this-

Whisk until it looks like this-

Time to stir in the shredded carrot.

Then a cupful at a time, incorporate your flour mixture into the carrot mixture.

DO NOT over mix.  Stir until just combined. Then pour into the baking pan/s of your choice.

Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Let the cake cool before frosting.  Be patient. This can take up to 3 hours!!! Wash out one of your bowls to use for making the frosting while you’re waiting. Or make this when you’re ready to frost the cake since it doesn’t take very long.

As for the frosting…

With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat your cream cheese, butter, shortening, sour cream, and vanilla.

Once it’s smooth, scrape down the sides and add in your powdered sugar.

Beat until smooth, AGAIN.

Refrigerate while waiting for the cake to cool.

Then it’s time to frost!!!

The right side is MINE!!!!!  Well maybe the left too… ugh, I may have to make another cake.