Gingered Carrot Cake

By TPMay

Ingredients

• Orange cream Cheese Frosting:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2-teaspoon baking soda
• 4 beaten eggs
• 3 cups finely shredded carrot
• 3/4-cup cooking oil
• 3/4-cup mixed dried fruit bits
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger or 3/4-teaspoon ground ginger
• 6 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2-cup margarine or butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon apricot brandy or orange juice
• 4 1/2 -ups sifted powdered sugar
• 1/2 -easpoon finely shredded orange peel
• 1 cup toasted, finely chopped pecans (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.
Combine eggs, carrot, oil, dried fruit, and ginger. Stir egg mixture into flour mixture. Pour into 2 greased and floured 9x1½-inch* round baking pans.
Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks.
Beat together cream cheese, margarine or butter, and apricot brandy or orange juice. Gradually beat in enough of the powdered sugar to make frosting easy to spread. Stir in orange peel.
Frost the top of 1 cake layer with cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining layer. Frost the top and sides. Press nuts on sides of the cake, if desired. Store cake in the refrigerator. Makes 12 to 15 servings.