My Mom is an excellent cook!  Over the years my parents have hosted a lot people in their home and continue to have people over regularly.  I am thankful for all Mom taught me about cooking and for her willingness to allow me to “experiment” in her kitchen as I was growing up.  Mom makes the best Homemade Carrot Cake!  She would make it for special events such as a Holiday or birthdays.  This is my Dad’s favorite cake.   It is rich, moist and delicious.  Here’s her recipe:

Dad’s Favorite Carrot Cake

• 2 cups of Sugar
• 2 cups of Flour
• 2 teaspoons of Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon of ground Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 1/4 cup Oil
• 4 Eggs
• 3 cups grated Carrots
• 1 cup chopped Nuts (optional)

Combine all ingredients.  Mix thoroughly and pour into a greased and floured 11 x 13 pan.  Bake at 350 for 40 to 55 minutes.  If you want a layered cake you can do it in two 8 or 9 inch round pans just reduce the bake time by ten minutes and add the Cream Cheese Frosting in between the layers. Cool, then frost.

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1 stick Margarine (softened)
• 1 lb Confectioner (aka powdered) Sugar
• 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• 3 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 cup chopped Nuts (optional)

Cream ingredients together until smooth and place on cooled carrot cake.   Optional you can add the nuts in with the frosting or sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top.  Optional you can add green and orange food coloring to a small amount of the frosting to create a decorative carrot(s) for the top for the cake.