Best Ever Carrot Cake & Frosting

This came out of the New Better Homes and Garden Cookbook. Made it for a church function and got rave reviews and I truly do think it is the Best Ever Carrot Cake I have made and I've made several. Enjoy!

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 cake

Ingredients

• 4  beaten eggs
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  cups sugar
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3  cups  finely shredded carrots, lightly packed
• 3⁄4 cup  cooking oil
•  cream cheese frosting (any will do)
• 1⁄2 cup  finely chopped pecans, toasted (optional)

Directions

1. Allow eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, grease and flour two 9x1 1/2 inch round cake pans; set pans aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and baking soda.
4. In a medium bowl combine eggs, carrots, and oil. Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir until combined. Pour batter into the prepared pans.
5. Bake at 350 oven for 30-35 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted near centers comes out clean.
6. Cool on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely on racks.
7. Frost tops and side with frosting. If desired, sprinkle chopped pecans over frosting. Store cake in the fridge for up to 3 days.
8. *The carrots need to be finely shredded or they may sink to the bottom of pan during baking.