THANK YOU for everyones birthday wishes!!! I may not have the time to individually thank everyone, but know that each and every one of you makes my life complete. And for my birthday gift to you all, I give you a yummy carrot cake recipe that is so scrumptious it will make you so happy too! As I grow older, I realized it is less and less exciting to grow a year older, and that time really flies. Before I know it, I will be a grandma! I wish to cherish each and every moment I have with everyone – I realized this while studying for the bar and being in hermit mode for 2 months – the days are as long and great as you make it. Every day is a NEW DAY, and whatever things you didn’t do the day before can be accomplished TODAY!!! I kept telling myself that every morning as I pondered over everything I did NOT do and how much more I needed to do. But as my big test got closer and closer, I realized less pondering, and more doing. Take every day as a new day and learn to cherish every minute of it – every minute not cherished is a minute wasted. So as I begin a new age, I am hoping that I can hustle and accomplish my many goals in life, and hope to achieve them all early whilst enjoying my life in the process. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being wonderful readers and supporters :)!!! I can’t wait for this new age!

Recipe slightly adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction. 

Ingredients

Carrot Cake

1 cup light brown sugar

3/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

3 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups finely grated carrots

3/4 cup chopped walnuts/pecans, optional

Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temp

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 tbsp heavy cream

2 tsp vanilla

sprinkle of salt

Carrot Cake

Preheat oven to 350 deg.

1.Mix the brown sugar and olive oil using a mixer on medium speed.

2. Beat in yogurt until fully combined.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each egg is combined.

4. Add the vanilla and mix.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

6. Using a spatula, by hand, gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix – mix until the flour is mixed in.

7. Mix in the carrots and walnut/pecan pieces until just combined.

8. Spray/oil a round or square 8-9 inch baking pan. Pour batter into pan.

9. Bake the cake in a 350 deg. oven for 32-36 minutes, until a knife or toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Beat the cream cheese with the powdered sugar on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes.

2. Add the heavy cream, vanilla, and dash of salt, and continue mixing on medium speed for another 2 minutes.

3. Spread the cream cheese frosting on the cake. Top with some walnut/pecan pieces.

4. Serve!