Carrot Cake, and That's my Final Answer

When I typed yesterdays’ post, “Carrots or Cookies”, I didn’t realize how funny it would strike me today that my answer is, “I want the best of both worlds – carrot cake it is!”

Last weekend was not only Easter, it was Builderman’s birthday. (He says he’s going to be like Caleb and always be a strong 45.) He asked for carrot cake for his birthday and boy did I deliver. Make no mistake, I’ve made plenty of carrot cakes. But not like THIS carrot cake. You’ll think you’ve gone straight to heaven when you put this in your mouth.

Yes, it has a million ingredients and takes time to create. That’s the only thing that will save me from myself… it’s clearly a special occasion cake. Sublime.

This recipe is from a saint of a cake baker at my church by the name of Miss Pearline.
Yes, this is the deep south. She even brought me pecans from her tree for my cake. I told you she’s a saint.

Pearline’s Carrot Cake Supreme

The instructions say prep time is 25 minutes. Umm, No. I think that was a joke.

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon

3 large eggs
2 cups sugar
¾ cp vegetable oil
¾ cup buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups grated carrot
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (31/2 ounce) can flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Deluxe Cream Cheese Frosting

• Grease three 9-inch round cakepans; line with wax paper. Lightly grease and flour wax paper. Set aside. (My note – I didn’t understand this but I followed directions)
• Stir together first 4 ingredients. Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrots and next 3 ingredients. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Spread Deluxe Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and an top and sides of cake. Chill cake several hours before slicing. Store in refrigerator.

Deluxe Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
¾ cup butter, softened
1 (16 ounce) package powdered sugar, sifted
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla.
For Deluxe Frosting, stir 1 ½ cups finely chopped pecans into frosting along with vanilla.
I didn't remember to take a picture for you until we'd cut it. : )