Light Carrot Cake from Atk

A lighter version of the classic. Really awesome! Came from America's Test Kitchen. My BF loves this - classic carrot cake flavor with none of the guilt!

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 16

Ingredients

•  vegetable oil cooking spray
• 2 1⁄2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1 1⁄4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3  large eggs
• 1  cup  packed light brown sugar
• 1  cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
• 1  lb carrot, peeled and grated (about 6 medium, about 3 cups)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped walnuts or 1 1⁄2 cups pecans
• 1⁄2 cup raisins
•  frosting
• 12  ounces  neufchatel cheese cream cheese, softened but still cool
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Adjust an oven rack to the middle postion and heat the oven to 350 degrees. LIghtly coat a 13 by 9 inch metal baking pan with vegetable oil spray.
2. Spread the walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet and place in the oven, stirring twice for 5 minutes, or until fragrant.Cool on a wire rack.
3. Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt together in a medium bowl; set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sugars together in a medium bowl until they turn thick and creamy, 1 to 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low and slowly whip in the oil until thouroughly combined, 30 to 60 seconds.Sift half the flour mixture over the batter and gently mix in, repeat with the remaining flour mixture and continue to whisk the batter gently until most of the lumps are gone (do not overmix). Using a rubber spatula, gently stir in the carrots, walnuts and raisins.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few crumbs attached, 35-40 mihnutes. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then invert the cake on a wire rack, Flip the cake right-side up and cool completely on a wire rack, about 2 hours before frosting (if desired).
5. Frosting.
6. Mix the cream cheese and vanilla together in a large bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the confectioner's sugar and stir until thoroughly combined and smooth.