Best Carrot Cake Ever

Ingredients:

6 cups grated carrots

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup raisins

4 eggs

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

1 cup crushed pineapple, drained

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Carrots & Raisins: In a mixing bowl, combine grated carrots and brown sugar. Let them sit for 10 minutes, then stir in the raisins.

2. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat the eggs until light. Gradually beat in the white sugar, oil, and vanilla extract.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

5. Combine All Ingredients: Stir the flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just blended. Fold in the carrot mixture, crushed pineapple, and walnuts, if using.

6. Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s). Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool & Serve: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Optional Cream Cheese Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Spread over the cooled cak

Enjoy this deliciously spiced, tender carrot cake! Perfect with or without frosting.