Grandma Hiers' Carrot Cake

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons baking soda 
• 8 servings butter for pans
• 3 cups carrots grated
• 16 ounce cream cheese room temperature
• 4  eggs 
• 2 cups flour all-purpose plus more for pans
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 
• 0.5 cup pecans chopped
• 1.5 cups pecans chopped
• 16 ounce powdered sugar 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• 1 stick butter salted room temperature
• 2 cups sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1.5 cups vegetable oil 

Equipment

• bowl
• baking paper
• oven
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round pans; Line bottom of the pans with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
3. Add eggs and vegetable oil. Using a hand mixer, blend until combined.
4. Add carrots and pecans, if using.
5. Pour into pans.
6. Bake for approximately 40 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes.
8. Remove from pans, place on waxed paper and allow to cool completely before frosting.
9. Add all ingredients, except nuts, into a medium bowl and beat until fluffy using a hand mixer. Stir in the nuts.
10. Spread frosting on top of each cake layer. Stack the cakes on a serving plate and serve.