Chocolate Chip Carrot Cake

from Renee's Garden
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
2 tablespoons baking cocoa
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups shredded carrots
3/4 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Sift dry ingredients together; add to creamed mixture alternately with water and vanilla. Fold in carrots, nuts, and chips. Turn into a greased and floured 9- x13-inch pan. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool and top with our Cream Cheese Frosting. 

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
6 to 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon grated orange zest (orange part of peel)
2 cups powdered sugar, measured and then sifted
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Serves 8 to 10