Well, this is awkward. It’s my mom’s birthday today, and when I came here to my favorite food blog Umami Girl look up her favorite carrot cake recipe, I found it buried deep in my drafts box. Yeah, I thought I’d published this like two years ago. Damn.
So I just got back from the wedding of the decade (look out, William and Kate), and my sister and her HUSBAND, because she has a HUSBAND now, no big deal (!!) are coming over in a little while to celebrate mom’s birthday. Let me tell you, the wedding of the decade is a whole lot of celebrating, but it is apparently not enough celebrating for one weekend.
I’ve got to go grocery shopping now, and then I’m going to make this cake. And when I get to the store, I’m going to use this post as my shopping list. I think maybe you should take my lead on this one at some point soon, hint hint. One of these days I’ll post a few sneaky peeky wedding photos, because who doesn’t love that, and maybe my lady-of-honor toast. But today, it’s just a birthday, a carrot cake, and a quick fade to bliss.
Talk to you soon.
Recipe: Mom’s (and, okay sure, King Arthur’s) Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups canola oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add oil while mixer is running. Add vanilla, and then gradually add the sugar. In a separate medium size bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Add these dry ingredients to the wet mixture a little at a time, mixing everything thoroughly to make a smooth batter. Add the carrots and nuts, then the coconut and pineapple and mix until all the ingredients are blended into the batter.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch pan and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. Cake is done when a tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack. When cool, cut into plain squares, or frost and decorate as you like. If using powdered sugar, sprinkle just before serving.
Preparation time: 30 minute(s)
Cooking time: 50 minute(s)
Number of servings (yield): 12
Recipe: Not-too-sweet Cream Cheese Frosting
Summary: Mom’s version of the classic cream cheese frosting is perfectly sweet, not painfully so.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted to remove lumps
Instructions
- Combine the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until the icing is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes more.
Quick notes
Cake and frosting recipes adapted from King Arthur Flour.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time:
Number of servings (yield): 12
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Saw this recipe and it sounded just perfect – and it was! Didn’t get around to making the frosting and I’m not sure it even needs it (though I might be having a piece with some vanilla icecream for breakfast tomorrow…)
Thanks for sharing!
Looks perfect. Looking forward to the wedding photos…as you said who doesnt love them? :)