Paula Deen's Carrot Cake

shared by Dara P.
Ingredients:
butter, for pans
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cup pecans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round pans; Line bottom of the pans with parchment paper.
2.  In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add eggs and vegetable oil. Using a hand mixer, blend until combined. Add carrots and pecans, if using.
3. Pour into pans. Bake for approximately 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pans, place on waxed paper and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream cheese frosting
4 cups powdered sugar
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 stick butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Cream together vanilla, cream cheese and butter.  Add powdered sugar.
Note: I've tried a lot of cream cheese frosting recipes and this one is by far my favorite - so light and fluffy :)