Serves 10

1 10-ounce package frozen carrots in butter sauce

1 cup raisins

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 eggs

½ cup butter, softened

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

1½ cups pecans, chopped

• Thaw carrots in butter sauce. Place in a food processor work bowl along with raisins. Pulse until mixture is finely chopped.

• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to remove any lumps.

• Add oil and beat with mixer on medium speed until blended. Add eggs 1 at a time and mix until batter is creamy. Pour into greased 9″ × 13″ pan and bake at 350ºF for 40 minutes. Cool completely.

• To make frosting, mix together cream cheese and butter, beating until smooth. Slowly add sifted confectioners' sugar, beating until mixture is fluffy and all sugar is blended. Add vanilla. Frost cooled cake and sprinkle chopped pecans over the frosting.

Casual Cakes

Sure, a mousse cake or genoise torte will wow your dinner party guests. But for casual get-togethers, don't bother. Homemade sheet cakes taste fabulous, are easy to serve, and are usually quite easy to make. The more you do to make entertaining stress-free, the more likely you are to enjoy the party.