Shortcut Carrot Cake

photo by:kraft

As in all good carrot cakes, fresh veggies balance the sweet cream cheese frosting. The bonus in the shortcut is the time you get back in your day.

time

prep:

30 min

total:

1 hr 30 min

servings

total:

16 servings

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What You Need

pkg. (2-layer size) spice cake mix

large carrots, shredded (about 2 cups)

can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained

cup chopped PLANTERS Pecans, divided

pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

cups powdered sugar

tub (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

Make It

HEAT oven to 350°F.

PREPARE cake batter as directed on package; stir in carrots, pineapple and 3/4 cup nuts. Pour into 2 (9-inch) square pans sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 25 to 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until blended. Whisk in COOL WHIP.

STACK cake layers on plate, spreading frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Sprinkle with remaining nuts.

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Substitute

Prepare using PHILADELPHIA Neufchatel Cheese and COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping.

Substitute

Substitute a yellow cake mix plus 2 tsp. ground cinnamon for the spice cake mix.

How to Store

Keep refrigerated.

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a cook

posted:3/24/2005

This looks great

a cook

posted:3/23/2005

EXCELLANT CAKE AND MUCH EASIER THAN THE USUAL CARROT CAKES, I HAVE MADE. THE FROSTING IS WONDERFUL. I AM MAKING THIS AGAIN FOR EASTER

mnlakes

posted:3/16/2005

The cake is very good and very easy to make. But the frosting is out of this world and puts this dessert over the top!!!! If you love cream cheese you will absolutely love this frosting!

a cook

posted:3/16/2005

This cake is so light and everyone loved it when I made this for family gathering. It was very easy to make so I will make it again.

Thelma Rather

posted:3/16/2005

Very tasteful and moist. It did not take very long to make. I will definitely make it again.

MarshaMar

posted:3/15/2005

I also was disappointed in the taste of the cake. It didn't have a good carrot cake flavor. The frosting did not have a good cream cheese flavor. If I made this again I would use a better cream cheese frosting recipe, and omit the Cool Whip.

nonnyk

posted:3/14/2005

I was very disappointed in this cake. It didn't taste very much like carrot cake. The frosting was ok, but I added vanilla to give it a bit more flavor.

joro10

posted:3/13/2005

I made this cake for my dtr's birthday - it was soooooo good very moist and easy to make

bribri14

posted:3/12/2005

I would like to make it.

sunnie363

posted:3/7/2005

Have been making this recipe for many years, it is my most requested birthday cake by the people I work with. I do add 1 Cup Raisins and drain the pineapple and use the juice to replace some of the water called for in the recipe, gives the cake more flavor