Easter Egg Hunt Carrot Cake

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup canola oil
• 3 large eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups shredded carrots (about 3/4 pound)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

For Frosting

• 1 lb cream cheese
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 cups sweetened flaked coconut
• green food coloring (optional)
• easter eggs malted milk decorative candies or M&M's peanut chocolate candies or jelly bean, for garnish

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   Butter and flour 2 8-inch round cake pans or doughmakers 9-inch cake pan.

3. 3

   With a electric mixer, beat the sugar, oil and eggs until smooth.

4. 4

   Sift together the flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, add to egg mixture and beat until smooth.

5. 5

   Stir carrots and walnuts and pour into prepared pan (s).

6. 6

   Bake the 9 inch cake for 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or the two 8 inch layers for 35 to 40 minutes, or until tester comes out clean.

7. 7

   Run a knife around edges and invert cake onto a rack, let cool completely.

8. 8

   Make Frosting; With electric mixer cream butter, add the cream cheese and vanilla and beat until smooth.

9. 9

   Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until smooth and fluffy.

10. 10

    if using one layer, split it horizontally with a long serrated knife.

11. 11

    Spread the bottom layer with 1/3 of the frosting, top with the other layer and frost top and sides with the remaining frosting.

12. 12

    In a bowl, stir the coconut with a few drops of food coloring until all coconut is evenly tinted green.

13. 13

    Cover with coconut and scatter the candies on top to resemble hidden Easter eggs.