Naked Communist

I've been making carrot cakes for a few years now and I've modified my first basic recipe and came up with my world-famous moist carrot cake (ok, only Salt Lake City famous, haha). It's a bit more complicated than a basic carrot cake, but I'm telling you, it's worth the extra effort. (The orange juice is the secret ingredient for uber-moistness )

Naked Communist's Carrot Cake

2 1/2 C All-purpose flour
2 C white sugar
1/4 C brown sugar (packed)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
3 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt

1 1/2 C Orange juice (the more pulp, the better)
1 1/4 C vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/4 C grated carrot
1/2 C chopped nuts (I prefer pecans over walnuts)
1/3 C raisins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Sift together dry ingredients. In separate bowl, whisk together OJ, oil, vanilla and eggs. Beat liquid mixture into flour mixture. Mix well. Stir in carrots, nuts, and raisins.
Pour batter into two 9" round cake pans (greased and floured, or with a good coating of PAM). Bake @ 350 degrees for 45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let cool in pans 10-15 minutes. Remove and let cool completely before frosting.

*NOTE* I've noticed a difference in cooking at higher altitudes, you may have to cook for a bit longer. Also, I just use store-bought cream cheese icing because I'm lazy, haha. But homeade icing tends to taste better. (recipe follows)

Frosting
16 oz (1/2 box) powdered sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract.

__________________
We are ensnared by the wisdom of the serpent; we are freed by the foolishness of God.

----------------------

...inside the museums infinity goes up on trial. Voices echo "this is what salvation must be like after a while"...

snowy

I've been looking for a good carrot cake recipe...I'll have to give this one a go. I do love me a good carrot cake.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau