Anna Olson's Classic Carrot Cake

You can't go wrong with a good carrot cake--and cream cheese frosting? Don't even get me started! I once made my best friend an entire batch of icing, and presented it to her in a bag as a graduation gift. She ate the whole bag that night! What a way to celebrate ;)

Makes (1) 9" (23 cm) cake
Serves 12

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 500 mL
• 2 tsp baking powder 10 mL
• 1 tsp baking soda 5 mL
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon 5 mL
• 1⁄2 tsp salt 2 mL
• 3 cups coarsely grated carrots, loosely packed 750 mL
• 2⁄3 cup light brown sugar, packed 160 mL
• 2⁄3 cup vegetable oil 160 mL
• 4 large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup raisins or walnut pieces (optional)
  125 mL
  
  

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 125 mL
• 3⁄4 cup cream cheese, room temperature 175 mL
• 2 cups icing sugar, sifted 500 mL
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 5 mL
• walnut halves for garnish (optional)
  
  

Cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 325˚F (160˚C). Grease a 9" (23 cm) cake pan.
2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the grated carrots. In a separate bowl, whisk the brown sugar, oil and eggs and then add to the carrot mixture, stirring until well blended. Stir in the raisins or walnuts (optional) and scrape the batter into the prepared cake pan.
3. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until atester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes in the pan, and then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
   
   

Frosting:

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese together for 3 minutes, or until fluffy. Add the icing sugar and vanilla, beating gently until the sugar is incorporated, then beat more vigorously until the icing is fluffy.
2. Cut the cake horizontally in half and place the bottom half on a platter. Spread a cupful of the frosting over the cake and place the second layer on top. Spread the remaining frosting on the top and sides of the cake. Garnish the edge of the cake with walnut halves (optional). Refrigerate.

The cake will keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.