Ruth Wilks Nut Carrot Cake Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans.
• 2. Whisk together thoroughly in a large bowl: 1 1/2 c. flour 1 c. sugar 1 1/2 t. baking soda 1 t. baking powder 1 t. ground cinnamon 1/2 t. ground nutmeg 1/2 t. ground allspice 1/2 t. salt
• 3. Add and stir together well with a rubber spatula or beat on low speed: 2/3 c. vegetable oil 3 large eggs
• 4. Stir in: 1 1/2 c. finely grated peeled carrots 1 c. finely chopped nuts 1 c. raisins
• 5. Scrape the batter into the pans and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes. Slide a thin knife around the cake to detatch it from the pans. Invert the cake and let cool right side up on the rack. Fill and frost with the cream cheese icing - directions below.
• 6. Cream Cheese Icing: Have the cream cheese cold and the butter at room temperature. In a medium bowl, beat just until blended: 8 oz. cream cheese 5 T. butter 2 t. vanilla Add one-third at a time and beat just until smooth and the desired consistency: 2 c. powdered sugar. This keeps refrigerated for about 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to the sugar mixture alternately with eggs. Mix well. Stir in carrots, coconut, pineapple and 1/2 cup pecans. Pour into a greased and floured 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting. Garnish with remaining nuts. Store in the refrigerator.

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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 or 10 inch tube pan.
• Sift the flour, baking soda, and baking powder together and set aside.
• Beat the eggs with the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cardamom together for 5 minutes. Stir in the confectioner's sugar and mix well. Beat in the vegetable oil and continue beating for 5 minutes.
• Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, to the egg mixture. With a spoon stir in the carrots and the walnuts. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour. Enjoy it with a glass of milk or a cup of tea.

Steps:

• Grease and flour 2 9" cake pans.
• Mix together cake flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, powder and salt.
• Drain pineapple,reserving syrup.
• Add syrup to dry mixture; add eggs, oil and vanilla.
• Beat 3 minutes.
• Stir in pineapple, carrots and nuts.
• Bake 325 degrees for about 40 min or until done.
• Cool 10 min in pan.
• Unmold.
• Currant Icing Plump currants in 1/4 cup hot water for 5 minutes.
• Drain well.
• Beat sugar, cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla together until smooth.
• Fold in nuts and currants.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease pan and sprinkle pan with flour.
• Combine all ingredients except the eggs and mix well.
• Beat yolks well and mix with ingredients and then beat egg whites until stiff and fold gently into mixture.
• Bake 40 - 50 minutes.