Sunday, January 11, 2009

My favorite food ever : Carrot Cake

If I was stranded on a dessert island with only 3 things, it would probably be James Franco, my DVR, and Carrot Cake. I make this about once a year at home where my mom has a ton of great baking equipment.

I'm not sure if its the delicious cream cheese frosting, the cinnamon, or walnuts (I'm nuts about NUTS!) but Carrot Cake is my FAAAAAAVORITE thing ever. I want it to be my wedding cake and when I make this, it's usually gone in like 3 days (at the expense of my daily caloric intake). Thought I'd share the recipe and spread the love..

This recipe has no raisins cause there is nothing i find more disgusting than raisins. I've had a lot of carrot cake in my day, but this is by far the best recipe:

Carrot Cake

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups shredded carrots (about 5 medium)
1 cup coarsely chopped nuts

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 to 3 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease the bottoms and sides of one 13x9 inch pan or two 8 or 9 inch round pans with shortening ; lightly flour. In a large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil, and eggs with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt; beat on low speed 1 minute. Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into pan(s).

2. Bake 13x9 inch pan for 40-45 minutes, round pans 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely (about 1 hour).

3. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla with an electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Frost 13x9 inch cake or fill and frost round layers with frosting. Store in refrigerator.

Thats the recipe as is but I add more walnuts on the side of the cake for decoration and also because, well, walnuts are delicious.

Try this!

1 comment:

ilse said...

we had carrot cake at our wedding :^)