Let them eat cake!

It is my friend, Jimmy's, birthday this week and I seem to have become the resident birthday fairy so I had another opportunity to bake over the weekend. He requested carrot cake and it turned out pretty delicious if I do say so myself, so I will post the recipe for those who want it.

Ok, I'll say it. It looks like a five year old decorated this cake! While I can turn flour, sugar, eggs, and vanilla into something mouth-watering, my frosting skills are a bit laking! I grew up watching my mom decorate beautiful birthday and wedding cakes and she made it look so easy! Not so. I am actually going to take a cake decorating course next month so that my creations can look at least a little more impressive. If anyone wants to do it with me, let me know. The classes are in Encinitas and super cheap.  It should be pretty fun!

Ok, here is the recipe:

Carrot Cake
2 c. flour

2 c. sugar

2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp.cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1½ c. vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 c. grated carrots

Frosting:

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1 c. butter

4 c. powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Mix sugar, flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add vegetable oil. Mix well. Add eggs, one at a time. Beat well after each. Mix in carrots. Pour into a greased 9“ x 13” pan, or two 9" round pans lined with wax paper. Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While cake is baking, make the frosting. Mix cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until creamy then add sugar, slowly mixing until smooth. Cool completely, then frost.