Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 2/3 cup flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 (1 lb) bag carrot, grated
  • 1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • Frosting
  • 1/2 cup butter, at room temp
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temp
  • 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons orange zest, no pith attached
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 (12 ounce) package pecan halves

Method

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Sift together the flours, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ginger onto a sheet of waxed paper.
  • Mix the sugars together in a large bowl.
  • Stir in the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
  • Stir in the flour mixture, grated carrots, chopped pecans, coconut and raisins.
  • Stir until well blended.
  • Grease and flour three 9 inch round cake pans.
  • Line each prepared pan with wax or parchment paper that has also been greased and waxed.
  • Pour equal amounts into each of the cake pans.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of each comes out clean.
  • Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes.
  • Turn out onto cooling racks, remove wax paper and allow to cool completely.
  • In a large bowl beat the butter and cream cheese together until light.
  • Add the confectioners sugar, orange peel and vanilla mixing until smooth.
  • Spread frosting between layers and stack evenly.
  • Frost the top and sides of cake.
  • Decorate with perfect pecan halves.