Carrot Cake

My mom’s birthday is today and I made her a Carrot Cake for our little celebration. For the past few years I have made mom a Carrot Cake because it’s one of her favorites. I’ve used different recipes for the cake but the one I’m sharing today is probably the easiest and very yummy. It’s easy because it uses a cake mix (mixed with other ingredients). I’ve made cakes from scratch plenty of times but I really like starting from a mix because you don’t have to worry if your baking soda is still good. :)

To make this cake you'll need:

1 box yellow cake mix

1 box vanilla instant pudding (3.4 oz)

2/3 cup orange juice

½ cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 tsp cinnamon

3 cups shredded carrots (about 5 carrots)

½ cup raisins

½ cup pecans or walnuts

Directions:

With an electric mixer combine the cake mix, pudding, orange juice, vegetable, eggs, and cinnamon together for about 3 minutes or until well blended. The smell of these ingredients combining is incredible. My mouth was watering as I was mixing.

Now fold in the raisins, carrots, and pecans.

Pour into two 9 inch greased cake pans.

Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool on a wire rack for about 35 minutes.

Now for the yummy cream cheese frosting:

2 (8 oz) cream cheese packages, room temp

1 stick butter, room temp

1 (16oz) box Confectioner sugar

1 tsp vanilla

½ cup pecans or walnuts (optional)

Mix the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla together until fluffy then gradually add the sugar.

Mix until well combined.

If you’re using pecans you can fold them in.

I like to save mine for the sides of my cake.

Now frost your cake!

I’m usually pretty reserved when frosting the first layer because I’m always afraid I’ll run out of frosting so this time I was fairly generous.

This caused me to run out of frosting for decorating the top of the cake though.

Whoops!

I just filled in the center with some leftover pecans.

Well, I’m sure mom doesn’t mind that it looks kind of goofy.

I hope you have a fabulous birthday, Mom. Love you!