Spiced Carrot (and courgette) Cake and Sour Cream Frosting

Spiced Carrot (and courgette) Cake and Sour Cream Frosting

Cake Ingredients:

• 300g (2 cups) flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons allspice or cardamom
• A good pinch of salt
• 3 eggs
• 180ml (3/4 cup) vegetable oil
• 180ml (3/4 cup) yogurt
• 200g (1 cup) sugar (100g dark brown, 100g white)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 245g (2 cups) grated vegetables (e.g., apple, carrot, zucchini, raisins)
• 120g (1 cup) chopped nuts
• 175g (1 cup) crushed pineapple

Frosting Ingredients:

• 115g (1/2 cup) butter, softened
• 115g (1/2 cup) cream cheese or sour cream
• 360g (3 cups) powdered sugar
• Optional: Orange or lemon zest

Walnut Garnish:

• A handful of walnuts
• 2 small knobs of butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• A sprinkle of salt (preferably sea salt)

Cooking Steps:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).

2. Mix Wet Ingredients:

   • In a large bowl, mix together the vegetable oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract until well emulsified.
   • Add the yogurt and mix until combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients:

   • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice (or cardamom), and a good pinch of salt.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:

   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

5. Add Vegetables and Nuts:

   • Gently fold in the grated vegetables, chopped nuts, and crushed pineapple.

6. Prepare Baking Tin:

   • Line a springform tin or muffin tray with parchment paper or baking liners.

7. Bake:

   • Pour the batter into the prepared tin or 2 tins if you want to make this a sandwich with frosting in the middle or even a muffin tray.
   • Bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on your oven. Start checking around the 45-minute mark. If a toothpick comes out clean, the cake is done.
   • If the top is getting too dark, cover it with foil.

8. Prepare Walnut Garnish:

   • During the last 10 minutes of the cake baking, take a handful of walnuts and place them on a baking tray.
   • Add 2 small knobs of butter, 1 tablespoon of honey, and a sprinkle of salt (preferably sea salt).
   • Bake until the walnuts are nice and golden.

9. Cool:

   • Allow the cake to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring it to a cooling rack.
   • Make sure the cake is completely cool before adding the frosting.

Frosting Steps:

1. Beat Butter and Cream Cheese:

   • In a bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
   • Add the cream cheese or sour cream and beat until smooth again.

2. Add Powdered Sugar:

   • Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating continuously until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

3. Add Zest (Optional):

   • For a citrus twist, add some orange or lemon zest to the frosting and mix well.

4. Frost the Cake:

   • Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top and in the middle if you want.

5. Add Walnut Garnish:

   • Top the frosted cake with the golden, honey-roasted walnuts for an extra delicious touch.

6. Serve:

   • Serve your delicious spiced cake with creamy frosting and enjoy!

This cake works wonderfully as muffins, offering a versatile option for individual servings. 

Happy Baking!

Love Del 

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