Nikki's Carrot Surprise #Cake #Recipe from Cozy #Mystery Silence Of The Lamps by Karen Rose Smith

I like to have a few recipes up my sleeve for those special celebrations--holiday gatherings with friends and family, birthdays and graduations. This cake always delights my guests. I developed this recipe years ago when a friend told me her husband particularly liked carrot cake. I baked it for his birthday.  The recipe seemed perfect to use for my sleuth's sister Nikki's piece de resistance for the wedding expo in THE SILENCE OF THE LAMPS.  I hope you enjoy it too. 

Nikki's Carrot Surprise Cake

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Grease and flour 9 x 13 inch pan

1 ½ cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon orange zest

1 ½ cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 ½ cups shredded carrots

½ cup crushed pineapple, drained

½ cup chopped walnuts

1 cup flaked coconut

Stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and orange zest in a large mixer bowl.  To that mixture add sugar, oil and eggs.  Beat on medium speed for about one minute until well-mixed.  Then fold in carrots, pineapple, walnuts and coconut until completely blended. 

Pour into 9x13" greased and floured cake pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool completely before frosting.  After the cake is iced, refrigerate until you are ready to serve it.

Cream Cheese Frosting

½ cup butter (softened)

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese (softened)

1 teaspoon vanilla

½ teaspoon orange zest

1 box (1 pound) Confectioners Sugar

Beat softened butter with softened cream cheese until smooth.  Add vanilla and orange zest.  Blend in Confectioners Sugar and beat until smooth and spreadable. Frost the cake and refrigerate until you are ready to serve it.

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Available now!!! 

KAREN ROSE SMITH

Book 5, Caprice De Luca Mystery Series

 SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Amazon

 SILENCE OF THE LAMPS on Barnes and Noble

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Karen and Paddy

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Karen Rose Smith is an only child who delved into books at an early age. She learned about kindred spirits from Anne of Green Gables, solved mysteries with Nancy Drew and wished she could have been the rider on The Black Stallion. Yet even though she escaped often into story worlds, she had many aunts, uncles and cousins around her on weekends. Her sense of family and relationships began there. Maybe that's why families are a strong theme in her novels, whether mysteries or romances. Her 95th novel will be released in 2016.

Readers often ask her about her pastimes. She has herb, flowers and vegetable gardens that help her relax. In the winter, she cooks rather than gardens.  And year round she spends most of her time with her husband, as well as her four rescued cats who are her constant companions. They chase rainbows from sun catchers, reminding her life isn't all about work, awards and bestseller lists. Everyone needs that rainbow to chase.

Karen looks forward to interacting with readers. They can find her at the links below. 

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Karen's Newsletter IN TOUCH

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Karen Rose Smith's romance website 

Karen Rose Smith's mystery website 

Karen's Facebook Author Page

Karen on Twitter

Karen's Cat-Themed Zazzle Store