Leckie's Birthday Carrot Cake

Ingredients

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 cups sugar
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 3 cups finely shredded carrots
* 1 cup cooking oil
* 4 eggs
* 1 recipe Cream Cheese Frosting (see recipe below)
* 1/2 cup raisins chopped with 3/4 cup water
Directions

1. Grease and lightly flour two 9x1-1/2-inch round baking or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan or bundt pan; set pan(s) aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add carrots, oil, and eggs. Beat with an electric mixer till combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan(s) or a bundt cake pan.

3. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes for round pans or 35 to 40 minutes for 13x9-inch pan or bundt pan until a wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool thoroughly on wire racks. Or, place 13x9-inch cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Cover and store in refrigerator. Makes 12 to 16 servings.

Cream Cheese Frosting: 2 3-ounce packages cream cheese, softened; 2 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup orange juice 1 cup granulated sugar

Beat together softened cream cheese and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add granulated sugar, beating well to reach spreading consistency.
Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving . . . so make a day ahead : )