A Cake My Mother In Law Would Have Loved

My mother in law was a hard lady that grew up fast and had her first child by the age of 14. She raised 4 children primarily on her own working in factories, restraunts or wherever they were hiring. She was an uneduated lady only going to 8th grade in school yet she had so much experience it was not funny. She was hard and she was a person you either loved or you did not like at all it did not matter to her. I found myself on both sides several times being married to her son. She was a fine lady and one of her favorite desserts was carrot cake. She would have loved to have been presented with a cake like this.

2 cups all-purpose flour


2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil

4 large eggs

4 cups grated carrots

4 cups finely chopped pecans

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients in a bowl; set aside. Beat sugar and oil in a large bowl at medium speed with an electric mixer until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Gradually add flour mixture, beating just until combined. Stir in carrots, pecans, and vanilla. Pour batter evenly into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350° for 28 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.Spread Cream Cheese Frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.



Recipe Source: My Recipes