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Carrot Cake

Carrot Cake

Brought to you by: The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook
3.7 3 ratings Review this recipe

Prep time:

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Another bestseller at the Hummingbird, this carrot cake is moist and full of flavour. You can vary how finely you chop the nuts for the sponge, and pecan nuts or walnuts can be substituted freely. For an extra-special touch, decorate the top with mini carrots – these can either be formed by hand using sugar paste or piped on using orange buttercream frosting. Looking for more cake recipe inspiration? Look no further. 
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Ingredients

  • 300g soft light brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 300ml sunflower oil
  • 300g plain flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon , plus extra to decorate
  • ½ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 300g carrots , grated
  • 100g shelled walnuts , chopped, plus extra, chopped and whole, to decorate

Recipe tips / Prepare ahead

Prepare two quantities of Cream Cheese Frosting (see separate recipe). Base line three 20-cm cake tins with greaseproof paper.

Method

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F) Gas 3.

Step 2

Put the sugar, eggs and oil in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat until all the ingredients are well incorporated (don’t worry if the mixture looks slightly split). Slowly add the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt and vanilla extract and continue to beat until well mixed.

Step 3

Stir in the grated carrots and walnuts by hand until they are all evenly dispersed. Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tins and smooth over with a palette knife. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and the sponge bounces back when touched. Leave the cakes to cool slightly in the tins before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

Step 4

When the cakes are cold, put one on a cake stand and spread about one-quarter of the Cream Cheese Frosting over it with a palette knife. Place a second cake on top and spread another quarter of the frosting over it.

Step 5

Top with the last cake and spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides. Finish with walnuts and a light sprinkling of cinnamon.

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