Dorie Greenspan’s Carrot Cake

INGREDIENTS

2 cups

all-purpose flour

2 tsp

baking powder

2 tsp

baking soda

2 tsp

ground cinnamon

3/4 tsp

salt

3 cups

grated carrots (you can grate the carrots in a food processor fitted with a shredding blade)

1 cup

coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

1 cup

shredded coconut, sweetened or unsweetened

1/2 cup

moist, plump raisins (dark or golden) or dried cranberries

2 cups

sugar

1 cup

canola or safflower oil

large eggs

8 oz

cream cheese, at room temperature

1 stick

unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 lb

confectioners

1 tbsp

fresh lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon pure lemon extract

1/2 cup

shredded coconut, optional

Toasted finely chopped nuts and/or toasted coconut, for topping, optional