Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

**Ingredients:**

**For the Cake:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1 cup vegetable oil
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1 cup packed light brown sugar
– 4 large eggs
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 3 cups grated carrots (about 4-5 large carrots)
– 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
– 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)

**For the Cream Cheese Frosting:**
– 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (for garnish, optional)

**Instructions:**

1. **Preheat the Oven:**
– Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.

2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
– In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside.

3. **Mix Wet Ingredients:**
– In a large bowl, combine the vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until well blended. Stir in the vanilla extract.

4. **Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:**
– Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the grated carrots, nuts, and crushed pineapple (if using).

5. **Bake the Cake:**
– Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan(s). Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes (for the 9×13-inch pan) or 30-35 minutes (for the 9-inch round pans), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cake(s) to cool completely in the pan(s) on a wire rack.

6. **Prepare the Frosting:**
– In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.

7. **Frost the Cake:**
– Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top (and sides if using round pans). Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts for garnish if desired.

8. **Serve:**
– Cut the cake into slices and serve. Enjoy your homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting!