Momma Jeans Carrot Cake Food

THE BEST CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds and lightly coat the paper with spray.
• Cover the raisins with very hot water and let sit until plump, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain.
• Toast the pecans on a rimmed baking sheet until fragrant and browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and then chop 1 cup of the pecans; reserve for the cake batter. Pulse the remaining 1/2 cup pecans in a food processor until very finely ground; reserve for garnish.
• Combine the carrots and buttermilk in a medium bowl. Whisk the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, salt and baking soda in a large bowl. Beat the eggs, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until pale and thick, about 4 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually stream in the oil. Add the dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with the carrot mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Fold in the raisins and chopped pecans with a rubber spatula. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
• Bake the cakes, rotating the pans halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and let the cakes cool for 10 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes and invert onto the rack. Remove the parchment and let the cakes cool completely.
• For the frosting: Beat the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low and gradually mix in the confectioner' sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
• To assemble the cake: When the cakes are completely cool, trim the domes of each cake round with a large serrated knife so the tops are flat. Place one cake, cut-side down, on a platter. Spread 1 1/2 cups of the frosting evenly over top. Place the remaining cake, cut-side down, on top. Spread the top with another 1 1/2 cups of the frosting. Frost the sides of the cake with another 1 1/2 cups frosting and smooth out completely to make an even crumb coat (It's ok if some of the cake shows through. This is just a base layer.) Refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the frosting set.
• Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively if desired. Sprinkle with the finely ground pecans.

MAMA DIP'S CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Cake:
• Sift together first 3 ingredients. Set aside. Line 3 lightly greased 9" round ake pans with parchment or waxed paper; lightly grease the paper.
• Beat sugar and oil at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until blended and stopping to scrape down sides. Fold in carrots and 1 cup of nuts. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
• Spread cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Arrange remaining ½ cup of nuts around outer edge of cake. Cut with a serrated knife.
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
• Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed of mixer until fluffy; gradually add in powdered sugar, beating well. Stir in vanilla.

MOM-MOM'S CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• FOR CAKE:.
• Beat together all cake ingredients. Add carrots last. Grease and flour pans. Bake @ 350 for 40-55 minutes in 2 cake pans or mold. (I use a bundt cake mold and baked for 50 minutes.).
• FOR ICING:.
• Beat together. all ingredients (can use less vanilla if perferred).
• If too dry add a little milk.
• Keep cake wrapped & refrigerated.
• Best to make day before to let flavors meld.