Three-Layered Carrot Cake

Ingredients
6 large eggs separated
214 cups allpurpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
12 teaspoon salt
23 cup orange juice
13 cup sour cream
112 cups butter softened
112 cups sugar
12 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
112 teaspoons minced fresh thyme optional
2 cups finely shredded carrots about 4 medium
1 cup chopped pecans
frosting
2 packages 8 ounces each cream cheese softened
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 tablespoon orange juice
8 to 814 cups confectioners sugar
Directions
Place egg whites in a small bowl let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350. Line bottoms of 3 greased 8in. square baking pans with parchment grease paper.

In another bowl whisk flour baking soda and salt. In a small bowl whisk orange juice and sour cream. In a large bowl cream butter sugars and orange zest until light and fluffy 57 minutes. Add egg yolks 1 at a time beating well after each addition. If desired beat in thyme. Add flour mixture alternately with orange juice mixture beating well after each addition.

With clean beaters beat egg whites on medium speed until stiff peaks form. Fold into batter. Gently fold in shredded carrots and pecans.

Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean 2025 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks remove paper. Cool completely.
For frosting in a large bowl beat cream cheese orange zest and juice until blended. Gradually beat in enough confectioners sugar to reach desired consistency.
Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Refrigerate until serving.
Editors Note To decorate cake with carrot ribbons use a vegetable peeler to shave one large carrot into long ribbonlike strips. Reserve four of the longest strips for sides of cake roll up remaining strips to make curls for the bow. Arrange long and rolledup strips on a paper towellined baking sheet let dry
3045 minutes before placing on cake. Decorate frosted cake with carrot ribbons just before serving if desired add fresh thyme sprigs.
Nutrition Facts
1 slice 744 calories 35g fat 18g saturated fat 145mg cholesterol 420mg sodium 104g carbohydrate 88g sugars 2g fiber 7g protein.