Killer Carrot Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit.
• Grease and flour 10" baking pan.
• Pour oil and carrots into a mixing bowl and mix till combined.
• Add in eggs one by one whilst beating on medium speed.
• Add in sugar and beat until sugar is dissolved and the mixture is frothy and light in color.
• Make sure to beat until sugar is dissolved! if not the sugar will form a crust on top of the cake whilst baking.
• Add in the spices and vanilla / almond essence.
• Lastly add in the flour which has been sifted along with the baking powder and soda.
• When adding in the flour just mix it in with a wooden spoon and swirl in a figure eight until flour is just combined. This is to make sure you dont let out excess air.
• Add in nuts.
• Pour batter into pan and bake until cake begins to shrink off sides and toothpick inserted comes out clean, approximately 45 minutes.
• When cake is cool put on icing.
• For Icing beat the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy.
• Add in icing sugar and vanilla and beat till smooth.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, egg sub, canola oil, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, 2 tsp vanilla, unbleached flour, carrots and walnuts and raisins (if using). Mix well.
• Pour into a 13x9x3 baking dish and bake 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Side note: I have not tried this as a layer cake so the cooking times in the round pans may vary!
• While the cake is baking, make the icing.
• Start by combining the softened cream cheese and margarine. Mix until well blended.
• Add the powdered sugar and 2 tsp vanilla and mix until combined.
• Allow the cake to cool thoroughly before icing.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius.
• grease lamington size cake tin (13 x 9 inch rectangular pan).
• Mix carrots, brown sugar, spices, oil, salt, eggs and vanilla together in a large bowl.
• Stir in flour.
• Add nuts.
• Cook for 35-45 minutes, remove when knife comes out clean. Wrap with foil an place in freezer to cool (keeps it moist).
• Ice with cream cheese frosting.

Steps:

• For the praline, line a baking tray with baking parchment, then tip the sugar into a saucepan with 1 tbsp water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 mins until the sugar starts to caramelise. Scatter in the pecans and a pinch of sea salt, and stir until the nuts are fully coated. Carefully scrape the hot pecan mix onto the tray and leave to set for at least 10 mins. Break about 12 whole pecans out of the praline and reserve for decorating later, then chop or smash the rest of the praline into small shards. Set aside. Will keep in an airtight container for a day.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil two 20cm round sandwich tins and line with baking parchment. Tip the butter and sugar into a bowl and beat using an electric whisk for 3 mins until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs, one at a time - or do this using a stand mixer. When the eggs are incorporated, fold in the flours, bicarb, spices and a pinch of salt, followed by the carrots, raisins and half of the smashed praline.
• Divide the batter between the tins and level the surface with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 mins until the sponges are springy and a skewer inserted into the middle of each comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 10 mins, then put on a wire rack to cool fully. Will keep wrapped overnight.
• To make the icing, beat the butter and sugar using an electric whisk until smooth. Add half the soft cheese and lemon zest and beat again, then add the remaining and beat until smooth.
• To assemble, place one sponge, flat-side up, on a cake stand or plate and spread with a third of the icing. Scatter with most of the remaining smashed praline, then top with the other sponge, also flat-side up. Spread the rest of the icing over the top and sides, then decorate with the whole praline pecans. Chill for 1 hr to set, then slice and serve with any remaining smashed praline for sprinkling over. Will keep in an airtight tin for three days.