Anyone have a great carrot cake recipe? I have a friend who wants
to make one for her father-in-law's birthday.
TIA,

Micheline, here's a good one.

Carrot and Pineapple Cake

For the Cake:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
3 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 pound carrots, grated
1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple

For the Frosting:
3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted

For the Decoration (optional):
1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

For the Cake:
Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light yellow. Add the vanilla. In another bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Toss the raisins and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple. Add to the batter and mix well.

Divide the batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.

For the Frosting:
Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

Place 1 layer, flat-side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. If using, decorate with diced pineapple.

Thank you, Champagne. Sounds perfect!

You're welcome. I meant to tell you I haven't made the cake myself but ate some at a shower. It was really good...and I'm not even a big carrot cake fan.