Carrot Cake

Background: I am feeling like spring and so I want to post this wonderful carrot cake recipe. It is originally from one of my Mom's friends. This is what I made for Evan's first birthday party in July. It was the only non-fruit sweet he had ever had until we put one Froot Loop in each of his 10 Easter eggs this past week, which he inhaled when he figured out how to open the Easter eggs. Poor, deprived child.

Originally from: Mary Nadzum

Serves ~15
Approximate time, from prep to table: ~ 2 hours, including cooling time

Ingredients:
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking soda
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 Tbsp baking powder
2 Cups sugar
1 1/2 Cups canola oil
4 eggs

3 Cups grated carrots
(Optional: 1/2 Cup chopped pecans)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix dry ingredients, add oil, and blend. Add eggs one at a time (mixing in between). Add carrots and nuts. Blend well. Pour mixture into a 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Although I have never made it, if you are feeling very Susie Homemaker, here is her homemade cream cheese frosting recipe:
8 oz cream cheese
1 box powdered sugar
1 stick butter
2 tsp vanilla
(Optional: 1 can coconut)
1/2 Cup chopped pecans

Beat thoroughly. (May make half of the recipe.)

Note/Tips: I just bought a cream cheese frosting when it was on sale and I thought the cake turned out wonderfully. Pour Evan didn't even get frosting, though, because it contained dairy. (Note little piece without cream cheese frosting above.) I hope that he grows out of his allergy so that he can indulge in the glory that is dairy!