Monday, January 16, 2012

Carrot Cake

Who doesn't love carrot cake? Family members love it because it's delicious, and we Moms love it because it sneaks lots of veggies and so forth into the kids and hubby. Really, it's a win-win. I tweaked this recipe a little to make it a tiny bit healthier (but not much).

CARROT CAKE

1-1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup vegetable oil
3 cups shredded carrot
1/2 cup chopped walnut

In a bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, powder, soda, salt and cinnamon with a wire whisk. Add the eggs, vanilla and oil, and beat for 30 seconds to combine, then 2 minutes until smooth. Stir in the shredded carrot and walnuts. Turn into two greased layer cake pans, and bake at 350F for 30 to 35 minutes, until a knife or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes, then remove from the pan to a cooling rack.
When completely cooled, frost with:

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

8 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups confectioner's sugar

Beat until smooth; you might need up to 1 cup more powdered sugar to give the frosting enough body. Enough for filling and frosting one cake.

This is a very filling cake with a very rich frosting. It actually lasted 2 days, which is some kind of record in our house. It's not that everyone didn't love it; they just took small slices because it was so filling. That's a bonus in my book.

Next time, I'll be trying it with egg substitute, to see how it tastes. I'll also be baking it in a 13"x9" pan, because I really hate fussing with layers. Picky, picky, picky, right?

14 comments:

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

Lovely recipe Marjie - I love carrot cake. You have given me soem baking inspiration for this week. Also a great idea as I can chop up and puree some extra carrots for Luca who is starting his first tastes of food at the moment :-)

SissySees said...

I have a carrot cake recipe that has coconut & pineapple in it too I believe... It's not the Knight's favorite variation, so I make another recipe more often.

gMarie said...

Gosh - I really need to get my oven fixed. I baked brownies the other night and it took for freakin ever - toothpick never did come out clean and after I took them out the outside edges turned black. It can't be me!!

I do love carrot cake. Maybe someday. g

~~louise~~ said...

Carrot Cake! Oh YUM! Yours looks picture perfect, Marjie. I bet it's scrumptious!!!

Any left? If I leave now, I could make it in time for just one piece!!!

Thanks for sharing...

Two French Bulldogs said...

Mom said she wants some
Benny & Lily

Mickle in NZ said...

Mmmmm - thanks to this I've added carrots to tomorrow's grocery order!

Diane said...

I love carrot cake but it is the icing that really has me hooked :) Diane

The Blonde Duck said...

My mom loves carrot cake.

And I'm sure Ben would have loved YOUR big fat yeast rolls. I think I goobered them up.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Carrot cake is one of my favorites, especially with the cream cheese icing. Your cake looks so delicious that I am seriously in the modd to make it this evening.

Rita said...

Carrot cake is one of my favourite things; this is right up my alley.
Rita

Anonymous said...

And so pretty, too.

Lapdog Creations said...

YUM!!!!!

Pam said...

I love carrot cake... this makes me want to make one right now! YUM.

grace said...

cake of carrots is a favorite of mine, and yours looks properly fluffy and frosted. :)