Practice, Practice and the Best Carrot Cake Ever!

Little Lotte Lou's 1st birthday is coming up this month.  1st birthday's are always so exciting!  This time there is a little sadness mixed in the excitement.  Lotte is our last baby.  My last baby, and she's not a baby any more.  She's trying to walk and saying words.  I could go on and on about how I wont get to hold another one of my own newborn babe's. Or feel the kicking and punches of  tiny hands and feet.  But then I will be in tears and never get this post done!

Anyhoo, we were talking about Lotte's birthday. 

As I said in this post, I am trying to get better at cake decorating.  When I saw this post  at Girl Inspired  I wanted to try it.  So today, because it is Labor Day and hubby is home,(meaning he had the kiddos)  I thought I would practice.  Carrot cake is his favorite so he was happy to watch them so I could bake.

I like the way it turned out.  Fun ruffles for a cute little girl.  I also practiced some flowers but they didn't turn out so well, so no photo.  I might do this one for Lotte's birthday.  I can never decided!  I do like this one too hmmm.  ( Also from Girl Inspired)  So many choices!

I wanted to share with you the best carrot cake recipe ever!!  A few years ago my Aunt Margo put together a family recipe book.  I LOVE it.  I use it often.  It has recipes in it that I wouldn't have any other way.   

The carrot cake recipe comes from Aunt Margo.   I tweaked it a little hope you don't mind Aunt Margo. 

The Recipe:

Carrot Cake

• 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs 
•  2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
•  1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
•  1/8 tsp. ginger
•  1/8 tsp. nutmeg
•  1 tsp. salt
•  2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups flaked coconut (optional)
•  2 cups shredded raw carrots
• 1/2 - 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 (8oz) can tidbits or crushed pineapple (drained)

Put each ingredient as listed in bowl, mixing well after each entry.  Pour batter into a greased and floured 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 min.  Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

I used 2 8 inch cake pans greased and floured.  Baked at 350 for  30 to 40 mins. or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Frosting:  (I double this for a round cake)

• 1/2 stick butter
•  1 tsp vanilla
•  1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar 
•  1 TBSP milk (if to thick)

YUMMY!

Thanks for hanin' out.







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