Gary Solomon's Carrot Cake

[TeresaYo]

This is absolutely the best (not to mention moist) carrot cake ever.

2c. All purpose flour
2tsp. soda
1/2tsp. salt
2tsp. cinnamon
3 eggs, well beaten
3/4c. vegetable oil
3/4c. buttermilk
2c. sugar
2tsp. vanilla
1 (8oz.) can crushed pineapples, drained
2c. grated carrots (do NOT push down in measuring cup)
1 (3 1/2oz.) can flaked coconut (or bag coconut)
1c. chopped walnuts (I like to use pecans)

Combine flour, soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside. Combine eggs, oil, buttermilk, sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in flour mixture, pineapple, carrots, coconut and nuts.

Pour batter into 2 greased and floured 9 inch round pans lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 35 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. If using a 9x13 pan…bake for about 37 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

NOTE: I usually make individual cake layers. I always line my pans with parchment paper. When I glaze I place the cake on racks so that the extra glaze oozes off. **When you use the glaze rest the cakes on a rack and pour the glaze over the cakes. Let the excess glaze drip down onto some wax paper and throw the excess away.

Immediately pour buttermilk glaze evenly over layers (note some people only use half the amount of glaze!). Cool in pans 15 minutes, remove from pans and let cool completely. Once cake is completely cooled, spread orange cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Store cake in refrigerator.

Glaze & Frosting on next page…


BUTTERMILK GLAZE:
1c. sugar
1/2tsp. soda
1/2c. buttermilk
1/2c. butter
1Tbsp. Light corn syrup
1tsp. vanilla

Combine sugar, soda, buttermilk, butter and corn syrup in a Dutch oven; bring to boil, cook 4 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour over cake layers in pan. Some people only use half the amount of glaze on their cake.


ORANGE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
1/2c. butter, softened
1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1tsp. vanilla
2c. sifted powdered sugar
1tsp. orange juice
1/2tsp. grated orange peel

Combine butter and cream cheese, beating until light and fluffy. Add vanilla, powdered sugar, orange juice and orange peel; beat until smooth. (You may need to add more powdered sugar to get the desired consistency for spreading.) Spread on cake. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTE: You can also sprinkle some crushed walnuts (pecans) on top for added decoration too if you want.

[Crystalia]

Thank you, TeresaYo. Looks so good.... can hardly wait to try the recipe.

[TeresaYo]

Thank you. Gary had posted this recipe long ago on another site and people who've tried it have really liked it.