Surprise Carrot Cake
Ingredients
3 cups shredded carrots
1-3/4 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
3 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Filling:
1 – 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 large egg
Frosting:
1 – 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
~In a large bowl, beat the carrots, sugar, oil, and eggs until well blended.
~In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; gradually beat into carrot mixture until blended. Stir in the pecans. Pour 3 cups batter into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan.
~In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in egg. Spoon over batter. Top with remaining batter.
~Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes (or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean). Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
~For the frosting, in a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Frost cake. Store in the refrigerator.
~Makes 16 servings.