1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking pan with vegetable spray; line it with a piece of parchment paper, leaving an 1-inch overhang on 2 sides and spray the paper.

2. Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice in a medium bowl. In another medium bowl, whisk the eggs and sugars until pale; whisk in the oil, then the buttermilk and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold in the carrots. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

3. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Using the parchment overhang, remove the cake from the pan. Frost the cooled cake with Lighter Creamy Frosting, if desired. Cut into 16 (2 by 3-inch) pieces and serve.

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Nutritional analysis per serving of cake with frosting

Calories 282; Total Fat 11g (Sat Fat 3g, Mono Fat 2.5g, Poly Fat 3g) ; Protein 5g; Carb 42g; Fiber 3g; Cholesterol 56mg; Sodium 310mg

In a medium bowl, stir together the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla.

Spread the frosting over the top and sides of the cake.

Yield: 16 servings

Nutritional analysis per serving of frosting

Calories 84; Total Fat 5g (Sat Fat 3g, Mono Fat 1g, Poly Fat 0g) ; Protein 2g; Carb 8g; Fiber 0g; Cholesterol 16mg; Sodium 71mg