Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

Prep Time: 20 min.
Baking Time: 40 min

Ingredients:

• 2 - cups all-purpose flour
• 2 - teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 - teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 - teaspoon salt
• 1 - cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 - cups butter (softened)
• 3 - eggs
• 2/3 - cup milk
• 3 - carrots (grated)
• 1/2 - cup walnuts (chopped & divided)
• Cream Cheese Icing (recipe below)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.  Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

1. In a medium bowl, you want to sift together flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together until granulated sugar and 2/3-cup butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. On low speed, alternatively beat flour mixture and milk into butter mixture.
4. Stir in carrots and walnuts.
5. Pour batter into cake pan and bake for 40 minutes or until cake top springs back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in center comes our clean.
6. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.  Turn cake out onto rack to cool completely.
7. Make frosting.

Cream Cheese Icing

Ingredients:

• 1/2 - cup butter (softened)
• 4 - ounces cream cheese (softened)
• 2-1/2 cups confectioners sugar
• 1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 - cup walnuts (chopped)
• 2 - Tablespoons light brown sugar

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, beat together butter and cream cheeses on medium speed until completely smooth.
2. Beat in confectioners sugar and vanilla until well blended.
3. Mix together nuts and brown sugar.  
4. Place cake on a serving platter.
5. Spread icing over top and side.
6. Sprinkle nut mixture over top.