BEST CARROT CAKE


ingredients

2 c. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3 large eggs
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. vegetable oil
3/4 c. buttermilk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 c. grated carrots
1 (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
1 (3 1/2 oz.) can coconut
1 c. chopped pecans or chopped walnuts

preparation

Line 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with wax paper; lightly grease and flour wax paper. Stir together first 4 ingredients. Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients at medium speed. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Fold in carrots and next 3 ingredients. Pour into prepared cake pans. Bake at 350° for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Drizzle Buttermilk Glaze evenly over layers.

Buttermilk Glaze:

ingredients

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 c. butter or oleo
1 tsp. vanilla

preparation

Bring first 5 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Boil, stirring often, 4 minutes. Remove from heat; add vanilla.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

ingredients

3/4 c. butter or margarine
1 (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
3 c. sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

preparation

Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed until creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Yields 4 cups frosting.