Sam's Famous Carrot Cake

This is by far the best carrot cake I have ever tasted!

INGREDIENTS
3 eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 pinch of nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple with juice
1 cup raisins (optional if you don't like raisins)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8x12 inch pan.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk, oil, sugar and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour mixture and mix well.
In a medium bowl, combine shredded carrots, coconut, walnuts, pineapple and raisins.
Using a large wooden spoon or a very heavy whisk, add carrot mixture to batter and fold in well.
Pour into prepared 8x12 inch pan (I use two rounds or squares), and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour (less 15 minutes for rounds) Check with toothpick.
Allow to cool for at least 20 minutes before frosting

Cream Cheese Frosting

INGREDIENTS
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.

A few tips:

Try soaking the raisins in orange juice it makes them softer in the recipe.

Citrus is really good with this cake, try adding some grated orange peel to the frosting, it will give it a little kick!