Orange Carrot Cake

My Dad likes carrot cake, I like carrot cake, Papa likes things with orange or other citrus in it. So this new recipe out of Taste of the South magazine was a winner today.

2 cups chopped pecans

2 1/3 cup self-rising flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 T orange zest (used a Cara Cara orange from the back yard)

3 eggs

2 egg yolks

2 cups light brown sugar

1 cup canola oil

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 cup orange juice

3 cups fresh grated carrots

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 sticks cream cheese, softened

4 cups sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

For cake: mix dry ingredients, then wet, combine. Fold in carrots and nuts.

Bake in greased and floured round cake pans (2) for 30-35 minutes at 350. Let cool completely.

Beat butter and cream cheese till smooth. Add in vanilla, then the sugar. Till smooth.

Layer cakes and frost. Decorate with pecans and orange zest and carrots.

Enjoy.