CREAM CHEESE STUFFED CARROT CAKE WITH ORANGE GLAZE

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups peeled and grated carrots

Dry Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon allspice

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 cup pecans, finely chopped (I use my food processor)

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

Wet ingredients

1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (regular or lowfat)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 large eggs

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons orange extract

Cream Cheese Filling

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

3 tablespoons all purpose flour

Orange Cream Cheese Glaze

2 tablespoons orange juice

2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon orange extract

4 oz. cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Optional Decorative Garnishes

roasted pecans, roughly chopped,orange zest

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Butter and flour a 10” bundt cake pan (or use nonstick-spray with flour in it). Set aside.**

To make the Cream Cheese Filling, beat the cream cheese and sugar until light and creamy. Beat in remaining Filling Ingredients until smooth. Set Aside.

In a large bowl, mix all of the Dry Ingredients together. In a separate bowl, gently whisk eggs then stir in remaining Wet Ingredients just until combined. Don't overmix.

Stir Wet Ingredients into Dry Ingredients just until moistened, then stir in 2 1/2 cups grated carrots until evenly combined (I use my clean hands to stir in the carrots).

Spoon 3 cups batter into prepared bundt cake pan. Spoon Cream Cheese Filling over batter and gently smooth, but do not touch the sides of the pan. Top with remaining batter.

Bake at 350F degrees for 45 minutes, cover with foil then reduce heat to 325 and bake an additional 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

To make the Orange Cream Cheese Glaze, using an electric mixer, cream together all of the Glaze ingredients EXCEPT the powdered sugar on medium speed for 1-2 minutes or until completely smooth. Add sifted powdered sugar and beat until very smooth, scraping down sides as needed. Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.

When cake has cooled, drizzle Glaze over cake or individual servings, whisking in additional orange juice/milk if Glaze has become too thick upon standing.

Store in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.