CELEBRATE!!!

We had lots to celebrate this weekend. It was Mother's Day...I didn't have to work and it was Jeffrey's Birthday. I made his favorite, Carrot Cake...and decorated the top with Martha Stewart Pennants from Michaels. On the two blank ones I stamped "Happy Birthday Jeffrey." It was all fun to make. The recipe is from Southern Living and it is delicious. The only thing I would suggest, would be to make 2 - 9" layers..instead of the three layers...or increase the recipe half.

Birthday Boy


Carrot Cake


Old-Fashioned Carrot Cake
3 c. of shredded carrots
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2 c. sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
4 lg. eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 c. vegetable oil
1 t. vanilla extract

* Grease three 9-inch cake pans and line with wax paper, grease and flour wax paper (DO THIS...it makes a HUGE difference)
* Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl, add eggs, oil and vanilla, stirring until blended. Pour into pans
* Bake at 350 degrees for 25 mins. or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 mins., remove from pans and cool on racks.
*Ice with cream cheese frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 8-ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 16-ounce confectioners sugar
1 t. vanilla extract

*Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy, gradually add sugar, beating well. Stir in vanilla.

Southern Living, 1997 Annual Recipes, p. 330