carrrot cake!carrot cake!

i made carrot cake for the first time this week. i have to say, i think it turned out perfect. here is the recipe for those who are curious. but i must warn you, there are a lot of ingredients!

* 5 cups grated carrots
* 1 cup brown sugar
* 1 cup raisins
* 4 eggs
* 1 1/2 cups white sugar
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoons nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoons allspice
* 1/4 teaspoons ginger
* 1/4 teaspoons cloves
* 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* zest 1 lemon
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 8 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 cup shredded coconut

1. Soak the raisins overnight in pineapple juice.
2. In a medium bowl, combine [DRAINED] grated carrots and brown sugar. Set aside for 60 minutes, then stir in raisins.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 10 inch cake pans.
4. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light. Gradually beat in the white sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir into the wet mixture until absorbed. Finally stir in the carrot mixture and the walnuts. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
5. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool for 10 minutes before you remove from pans.

cream cheese frosting!

1/4 lb butter
8 oz cream cheese
2 tsp vanilla
1 lb sifted confectioners sugar

whip the ROOM TEMPERATURE butter and cream cheese until fluffy. add vanilla. then add sugar slowly.