This is a very light moist and fruity carrot cake. Probably the best ever!
| 1 cup butter, a must | 1/4 cup chopped dates |
| 2 cups sugar | 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts** |
| 3 eggs | 1/4 cup orange juice |
| 1 Tbs. vanilla | 1/4 cup Grand Marnier*** |
| 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots | 3 cups flour |
| 16 oz. can crushed pineapple in own juice, well drained |
2 tsp. baking soda |
| 1/3 cup finely chopped dried apricots* | 1 tsp. cinnamon |
| 1/2 cup golden raisins | 1/2 tsp. salt |
Prepare three 8 or 9" cake layer pans by spraying with Pam and putting a paper coffee liner in the bottom of each. Spray liner with Pam also. Press liners so that they lay flat. Do not worry that they do not meet the sides of the pan. Set aside and preheat oven to 325F.. Prepare Fruit: In medium bowl put carrots, pineapple, that has been pressed dry, apricots, dates and raisins.Combine the orange juice and Grand Marnier (or other orange liqueur). Pour over fruits and mix. Set aside. Cake: Cream room temperature butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla. Beat until very light in color.Combine all dry ingredients.Add alternately with fruit mixture, ending with flour. Stir in nuts.Divide into three prepared pans. Bake at 325F. for 30-35 minutes or until tests done. Cool in pans 10 minutes and remove each to a cooling rack. Chill layers in regrigerator before frosting. When cold, frost with your favorite cream cheese frosting. *Apricots: Get the Australian large apricots. The others are fine too but not as moist.They are worth it.
**Hazelnuts:They must have the bitter brown skin remove. This seems to be the most easiest and thourough way. Bring 2 1/2 cups of water to the boil, in a medium size pan. Add 3 Tbs. baking soda. Add hazelnuts. Boil for 5 minutes. Drain into a colander and under running cold water, slip skins off nuts or buy at you local nut shop already skinned. This does take time and if you don't care to do this, use pecans or walnuts. Place on baking sheet and bake at 325F. for 5-6 minutes to lightly toast. Remove and set aside to cool and than chop. ***Grand Marnier: Or use other orange liqueur or use all orange juice.