2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon (can sub 1 teaspoon with other spices such as allspice and nutmeg, go easy on the cloves though)
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
2 cups white, granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (optional, my addition)
2 cups (from about 3-4 regular sized zucchini) grated un-peeled zucchini (place grated zucchini in a sieve and press out some of the excess moisture before measuring)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (my grandmother recommends black walnuts)
1/2 cup golden raisins (optional)
3 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature (Philadelphia cream cheese recommended)
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 1/2 to 2 cups of powdered sugar