SWEET POTATO CAKE WITH ORANGE-CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease 3 (9-inch) round cake pans with shortening; line pans with wax paper, and grease paper.
• Dust with flour and shake out excess.
• Drain and press pineapple between paper towels to remove excess moisture; set pineapple aside.
• Beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy; add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears.
• Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
• Beat at low speed until blended after each addition, stopping to scrape bowl as needed.
• Stir in reserved pineapple, sweet potatoes, and next 3 ingredients until blended.
• Pour batter into prepared pans.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely (about 1 hour).
• Make frosting-.
• Peel orange sections, removing any bitter white pith.
• Process cream cheese and butter in a food processor just until smooth.
• Add 3 orange sections; process 20 seconds or until mixture is smooth (reserve remaining orange section for another use).
• Transfer cream cheese mixture to a mixing bowl; gradually add powdered sugar, beating at low speed until blended; stir in vanilla.
• Spread frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake; garnish with candied pecans and orange zest, if desired.