Name: World's Best Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 people
Ingredients: 3 cups flour; 1 tablespoon baking soda; 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1 1/2 teaspoons salt; 1 1/4 cups vegetable or canola oil; 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce; 1 1/4 cups sugar; 1 3/4 cups brown sugar; 1 tablespoon vanilla; 6 large eggs; 3 cups shredded carrot; optional: 1/2 cup raisins and/or 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 16 ounces cream cheese (2 8-ounce bricks), (softened); 1 cup butter; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (OR 1 teaspoons vanilla + 2 teaspoons maple extract); 1/4 teaspoon salt; 8 cups powdered sugar, (or as needed); chopped pecans for topping, optional