OLD-FASHIONED CARROT CAKE

A pleasingly moist cake, It's dotted with sweet carrots and a hint of cinnamon. The fluffy buttery frosting is scrumptious with chopped walnuts stirred in. One piece of this cake is never enough!

INGREDIENTS:
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 to 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 cups grated carrots

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
Carrot curls and additional walnuts, optional

In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, sugar and oil; mix well. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg; beat into egg mixture. Stir in carrots.

Pour into two greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

For frosting, in a mixing bowl, cream butter and cream cheese. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Add enough milk to achieve desired spreading consistency. Stir in walnuts. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Garnish with carrot curls and walnuts if desired.

Refrigerate leftovers. YIELD: 12 servings.