CARROT CAKE WITH LEMON FROSTING

Steps:

• For Cake: Preheat oven to 350 deg.
• Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides.
• Line bottoms with waxed pape r.
• Butter paper.
• Mix together oil, pineapple, eggs, vanilla and carrots.
• Mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl.
• Stir into oil mixture. Mix in walnuts.
• Divide batter among prepared pans.
• Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
• Cook cakes in pans on racks.
• For Frosting: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese, butter, lemon juice and vanilla until light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in sugar.
• Chill until firm but spreadable, about 1 hour.
• Turn cakes out of pans; peel off waxed paper.
• Place 1 cake on platter.
• Spread 3/4 cup frosting over.
• Top with second cake. Spread 3/4 cup frosting over.
• Top with third cake. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead.
• Cover with cake dome and refrigerate. Let stand 3 hours at room temperature before serving.) Garnish cake with flowers.
• ** Actual recipe calls for carrots to be cut into 1/2-inch pieces and cooked in a large pot of boiling salt ed water until tender, about 12 minutes.
• Drain.
• Puree in processor, stopping occasionally to scrape down sides of bowl.
• Transfer to large bowl and cool.
• I prefer to use the shredded carrots and have had very good results.
• I have also baked this in a large sheet cake size pan and adjusted the cooking time.