34. Carrot cake















Ingredients


150g plain flour
1 tsp Bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon powder
150g caster sugar
250g grated Carrots
100g shelled walnuts, finely chopped
150ml corn oil
2 Eggs, beaten
1 tsp vanilla essence

For the frosting
50g Butter, room temperature
75g full-fat cream cheese
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
100g icing sugar
1 tbsp Walnuts, chopped


Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Grease and line an 18cm diameter round cake tin.

2. Sieve the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and cinnamon powder into a mixing bowl. Stir in the caster sugar, carrots and walnuts.

3. Pour in the corn oil, and add the eggs and vanilla essence. Stir to mix, and then beat for one minute until everything is combined.

4. Pour the cake batter into the prepared tin and bake in the centre of an oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until risen and firm to the touch. Remove the cake from the oven and leave on one side for 5 minutes before turning out onto a rack. Leave to cool completely.

5. For the frosting, beat the butter until smooth, and add the cream cheese and vanilla essence. Gradually stir in the icing sugar.

6. Spread the frosting over the cake and scatter with chopped walnuts. Cut into generous wedges and serve.