Easy Turkey Dinner and Fabulous Carrot Cake

This is going to be a 2-fer.   I've made this turkey a few times.  It is so easy that I feel guilty posting it.  So, I'm going to throw in a "bonus" dessert recipe that I have heard rave reviews about.

This turkey is for those of us who aren't going to roast and entire turkey for two people.  This is delicious, but don't think yummy traditional Thanksgiving turkey. The skin will not brown in the crock pot.  there is a thin "sauce" with it, but not a gravy.  However,  it gives you the yummy real turkey for dinner with real turkey leftovers for sandwiches.

Crockpot Turkey

1 frozen turkey breast (not too big, or it won't fit in your crockpot)
1 can of beer
1 stick unsalted butter
1 pkg dry Lipton Onion Soup mix

Thaw the turkey.  Rinse and blot dry.  Place in your crock pot.  Add the remaining ingrediants and cook on low 8+ hours.

There you have it!  Couldn't be easier and it is really delicious.

The carrot cake recipe comes from a co-worker who is a wonderful cook (thanks Maribeth).  She brought it to a company picnic and it was gobbled up.  The recipe got passed around and I plan on making it for my family this Thanksgiving.  I'll post a comment on it's success.

Fabulous Carrot Cake

Cake
1 1/2 c cooking oil
2 c sugar
3 eggs
2 c finely grated carrots
3/4 c pureed crushed pineapple
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
dash of cloves
dash of nutmeg
1 c chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
1 c golden raisins (optional)

Cream together oil, sugar and eggs.  Add carrots, pineapple and vanilla.  Sift dry ingredients together and whisk to blend.  Add dry mixture to creamed carrot mixture.  Fold in nuts and raisins.  Pour into a sprayed 9x13 inch pan (or a 12x16 inch jelly roll pan).  Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean (20-25 min. for jelly roll pan). Cool.

Frosting
1 pkg cream cheese (cold)
5 T butter (room temp)
1 tsp vanilla
2-2 1/2 c powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until blended (it will be stiff because of the cold cream cheese, but this will make a velvety creamy frosting).  Blend in vanilla and powdered sugar.  This can also be used as a filling between layered cakes.  Cake can them be sprinkled with nuts.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone and Happy Cooking!