Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: one 2-layer cake, about 16 servings

Cake:
       nonstick cooking spray
2    cups unbleached, all-purpose flour
2     teaspoons ground cinnamon
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½    teaspoon baking soda
1     teaspoon fine sea salt
1     cup walnuts, toasted
1     pound carrots (6 to 8 medium), peeled
1     cup granulated sugar
1     cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1     cup vegetable oil
4     large eggs
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Cream Cheese Frosting:
       
8     ounces cream cheese
       (1 standard package), cut into
8     pieces, room temperature
8     tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter,
        cut into 8 pieces, room temperature
2      ounces goat cheese, room
        temperature (sour cream or plain
        yogurt can be substituted)
⅔     cup confectioners’ sugar
¼     teaspoon fine sea salt
¼     teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Nutritional information per serving:
Calories 428 (53% from fat) • carb. 46g • pro. 6g • fat 26g • sat. fat 5g • chol. 63mg • sod. 319mg• calc. 229mg • fiber 2g

1. Preheat oven to 350°F with the rack in the middle position. Coat two 9-inch round baking pans with nonstick cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment; set aside.
2. Insert the chopping blade into the work bowl of the food processor. Add the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Process on Low for 10 seconds. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. Put the walnuts in the work bowl and pulse 2 to 3 times to coarsely chop. Leaving the nuts in the bowl, remove the chopping blade and replace with the medium shredding disc. Shred the carrots on High. Add the nuts and carrots to the bowl with the dry ingredients.
4. Remove the shredding disc and replace with the chopping blade. Add the sugars to the work bowl. In a large measuring cup, combine the oil, eggs, and vanilla. While the unit is running on Low, gradually add the wet ingredients through the feed tube. Process until well mixed, about 30 to 45 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the wet ingredients to the bowl of dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan.
6. Prepare the frosting. Clean the chopping blade and insert into the cleaned work bowl. Add the cream cheese and butter and process on High until smooth, about 60 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the goat cheese; process another 10 to 15 seconds.
Add the sugar, salt, and vanilla and process until completely smooth, another 15 to 20 seconds.
7. Once the cake has cooled, remove from the pan and turn out onto a serving plate or cake stand. Frost the entire cake, spreading evenly on the top and sides with an offset spatula. Chill cake slightly before serving.