A lighter carrot cake

McFatterton · March 2011

This is a recipe from Cooking Light that I tweeked slightly to make it just a little less in calories. Next time, I'll use all whole wheat flour instead of (almost) half and half. Now, if you're wanting/expecting a super low calorie carrot cake, you're going to be disapointed. There are calories and fat in this recipe because it's made with REAL butter and REAL sugar. But, it is worth every last freaking bite!

Sara's Carrot Cake:
Makes 20 servings
Cake:
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups grated carrot
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
6 tbsp butter, softened
3 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk**
Cooking spray

Frosting:
8 oz light cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
3 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350
2. For the cake: combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add grated carrot and toss to combine.
3. Place brown and granulated sugars and butter in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer at medium speed until combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each is added. Stir in tsp of vanilla. Add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning & ending with flour. Spread batter into a 13x9 pan coated with cooking spray. Bake for 28 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool cake completely on a wire rack.
4. Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla and salt until well combined and fluffy. Add powdered sugar in batches, until combined. Spread frosting on cake once it's cool.

Nutritional Info:
Cal 236.5, Fat 6.5, Chol 43mg, Carbs 42, Fiber 1.5, Protein 4
**I didn't have buttermilk, so I put 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice in a measuring cup then added enough skim milk to make a 1/2 cup. Let this sit for at least 5 minutes.

I also have the recipe, with pictures posted on my blog:
http://dontpassthemeat.blogspot.com/2011/03/little-slice-of-carrot-cake-heaven.html