Casual Cafe Choco Carrot Cake

Total Time: 3 hrs Preparation Time: 2 hrs Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups canola oil
• 4 medium carrots, peeled, coarsely shredded (about 2 cups)
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 6 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350 f and grease & flour two 9" round cake pans.
• 2 sift together flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, baking soda.
• 3 in another bowl, beat eggs and oil together.
• 4 combine both mixtures and beat just until combined.
• 5 stir in carrots, then pour batter into the prepared pans.
• 6 bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean.
• 7 allow to cool on racks in pans 10, then invert onto racks to cool completely.
• 8 for filling: beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, then add the vanilla and powdered sugar until creamy.
• 9 for glaze: combine all ingredients in a small pan and cook over medium heat, stirring often, unil melted and smooth.
• 10 remove from heat and let cool slghtly.
• 11 to assemble: spread one of the cake layers with the filling, then top with second cake layer.
• 12 spread glaze over top and sides and chill at least 1 hour or until set.