Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Carrot Cake

This is Ina Garten's carrot cake recipe. I decided to use hers because of the fresh pineapple in it. I only did a couple of things different. I made it sheet cake style because I didn't feel like dealing with a layer cake. I didn't put walnuts in the cake, but put some toasted slivered almonds on top.
I was a little concerned with the massive amount of carrots in the batter. I was afraid there might be a legitimate healthfulness factor that could throw my body into shock. But the 2 cups of sugar in the recipe seemed to help me get over the influx of beta carotene. Just look at the batter...it's chock full of stuff!
Here's Ina's recipe for ya....
Ingredients
For the cake:
2 cups granulated sugar
1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 pound carrots, grated
1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
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For the frosting:
3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
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For the decoration:
1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
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Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.
For the cake:
Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light yellow. Add the vanilla.
In another bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Toss the raisins and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple. Add to the batter and mix well.
Divide the batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I baked mine only about 25 minutes)
Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.
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For the frosting:
Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.
Place 1 layer, flat-side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting.
Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with diced pineapple.

20 comments:

MaryRC said...

wow that sound yummy, wish my kids would eat carrot cake.

thanks for stopping by my blog via sits.

MoodyMommy said...

Good Morning!! It is 5am and I an #50..isn't that neat!!

Please come by my BLOG today!! I have something REALLY COOL happening!!

Thanks!!

The Blonde Duck said...

It looks really good! And I could even count that as a vegetable.

Mrs. Jelly Belly said...

Oh, my word - that looks heavenly. Carrot cake is my very favorite. And I like to think it DOES count as health food. :)

Jenn@ The Crazies said...

Good morning!!! Stopping over from SITS.. you were above me!! This looks so yummy... think I will try it this weekend!! Thanks

James said...

Never thought of putting pinapple in. Maybe then you could call it pinapple cake, not mention the carrots - then children would eat it.....

What A Card said...

Mmm, I love carrot cake...one of those things I've given up since my son was diagnosed with nut allergies :( I do make a mean carrot oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, though. No where near as good as carrot cake, though!

Small House said...

Oh my goodness, this looks so good. I'm seriously giving this a try this weekend. I'm pretty sure we are going to love it.

Did you know, your blog is better than a cookbook!! Love it.
Sandra

noble pig said...

Oh, seriously good!

Katie Lane said...

I love carret cake!

theUngourmet said...

Carrot cake is my favorite kind of cake and this recipe looks really fabulous! Thanks for sharing it!

Donna-FFW said...

This is my favorite carrot cake, I have made her version many many times funny thing I make it as a sheet cake also.. great minds, yours looks delicious!

Julie H said...

Yum I'll take mine without the raisins please :hork:

Thanks for visiting my blog!

Anonymous said...

I love love love carrot cake! Mmmmm!!! our wedding cake was carrot cake!

Anonymous said...

I have to say, never been a fan of carrot cake, but that one looks GOOD! Stoppin by from SITS--have an awesome day!

Miranda said...

LOL You're funny.

I have a very similiar recipe. Yummy, huh!?

Lilly said...

Yummy and healthy - could that be possible? I am so making this one.

The Muse said...

hey! i love the look of the almond garnish!

Jen said...

Oh I love carrot cake. I so need to make this!

Reeni said...

This looks delicious! I love the pineapples in it!