carrot cake with dates & pecans/ walnuts

bismillahirrahmanirraheem..
assalamu'alaikum wrt wbt..

this cake is made for fahri's (my nephew) birthday
upon request by her mama. its for her mama actually :p
but i do make another chocolate cake for the birthday boy:
devil's food chocolate cake slice, a recipe that was shared by kak yani of KG
which i had made more than thrice? or five times? or maybe more??
i lost count as i rarely record the same recipe in here..
definitely the best-est chocolate cake ever!!! thanks kak yani!

this is the second time i made this carrot & date cake
the 1st time, i gave half to my auntie.. and half for my sis..
my sis love it. hence the request ;)
my auntie also love it. she asked me to write down the recipe ;)

source: theprettyblog.com

• 4 eggs
• 315g caster sugar <-- i use 270g only
• 250 ml vegetable oil
• 280g cake flour
• 2tsp baking powder
• 1/2tsp salt
• 1tsp fine cinnamon
• 1tsp fine ginger
• 1/2tsp fine nutmeg
• 1/2tsp baking soda
• 375g grated carrot <-- about 3 medium size carrots
• 125ml seedless raisins
• 50g pecan nuts, roughly chopped <-- i use walnuts
• 125ml finely chopped dried dates (about 10-12 dried dates)

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C.
2. Beat eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add oil and mix well.
4. Sift dry ingredients together, then fold into wet mixture with a metal spoon.
5. Now fold in raisins, dates, pecans and carrots.
6. Pour batter into 2 x 20 cm lined cake tins, then bake for 35-40 minutes until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
7. Remove from oven, then let it stand in the tins for about 15 minutes before turning out. Cool completely before icing.
8. For icing: beat cream cheese and butter together until very light and creamy – about 10 minutes. Add icing sugar and vanilla and beat for a further 2 minutes until smooth and lump free. Spread on first layer, top with second layer, then ice the top and sides of the cake. Sprinkle with chopped pecan nuts/ walnuts.

* my icing recipe which is not so sweet but not so reliable on hot weather:

• 250g cream cheese
• 50g butter
• 150g icing sugar
• 1tsp vanilla essence