Classic Carrot Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking dish., Drain pineapple, reserving 2 tablespoons juice (discard remaining juice or save for another use). In a large bowl, beat eggs, carrots, sugars, oil, drained pineapple and reserved juice until well blended. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; gradually beat into carrot mixture until blended. Stir in walnuts. Transfer to prepared dish., Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 35-40 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread over cake.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of one 13x9-inch pan or two 8-inch or 9-inch round pans with shortening; lightly flour. In large bowl, beat granulated sugar, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed about 30 seconds or until blended. Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, 1 teaspoon vanilla and the salt; beat on low speed 1 minute. Stir in carrots and nuts. Pour into pan(s).
• Bake 13x9-inch pan 40 to 45 minutes, round pans 30 to 35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool rectangle in pan on cooling rack. Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, milk and vanilla with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, on low speed until smooth and spreadable. Frost 13x9-inch cake or fill and frost round layers with frosting. Sprinkle nutmeg on frosted cake, if desired. Store in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Grease 3 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans and line with parchment paper.
• Grate the carrots on the small holes of a box grater. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, sift together 2½ cups (310 G) of flour, the cinnamon, allspice, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk together.
• In a separate large bowl, beat the brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs together with an electric hand mixer on medium speed until just combined.
• With the mixer running, gradually pour in the vegetable oil.
• With the mixer on medium-low speed, add ⅓ of the flour mixture at a time to the wet ingredients. Beat just to incorporate. Stop mixing when there is just a small amount of flour visible.
• In a small bowl, toss the raisins with the remaining tablespoon of flour.
• Add the raisin, grated carrots, and pineapple to the batter and fold to incorporate with a rubber spatula.
• Divide the cake batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a fork inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean.
• Cool the cakes on a wire rack until the pans are cool to the touch. Remove the cakes from the pans and let cool completely on the rack.
• Make the icing: In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla with an electric hand mixer on medium-low speed. Once combined, mix on medium-high speed for 30 seconds, until light and fluffy.
• Add the powdered sugar, ½ cup (60 G) at a time, beating on medium-low speed to incorporate each addition.
• Assemble the cake: Check to see if the top of each cake is flat. If not, use a serrated knife level off the cakes.
• Place 1 cake layer on a serving platter or cake stand. Spoon ¼ of the icing on top and spread in an even layer. Add another layer of cake and spread with another ¼ of the icing. Set the last cake layer on top with the bottom up to ensure a very flat surface. Spread the rest of the icing over the top and sides.
• Gently press the walnuts into the icing around the sides of the cake.
• Chill for 30-60 minutes to let the icing set, then slice and serve.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• For the praline, line a baking tray with baking parchment, then tip the sugar into a saucepan with 1 tbsp water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 1-2 mins until the sugar starts to caramelise. Scatter in the pecans and a pinch of sea salt, and stir until the nuts are fully coated. Carefully scrape the hot pecan mix onto the tray and leave to set for at least 10 mins. Break about 12 whole pecans out of the praline and reserve for decorating later, then chop or smash the rest of the praline into small shards. Set aside. Will keep in an airtight container for a day.
• Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Oil two 20cm round sandwich tins and line with baking parchment. Tip the butter and sugar into a bowl and beat using an electric whisk for 3 mins until light and fluffy, then beat in the eggs, one at a time - or do this using a stand mixer. When the eggs are incorporated, fold in the flours, bicarb, spices and a pinch of salt, followed by the carrots, raisins and half of the smashed praline.
• Divide the batter between the tins and level the surface with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 mins until the sponges are springy and a skewer inserted into the middle of each comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 10 mins, then put on a wire rack to cool fully. Will keep wrapped overnight.
• To make the icing, beat the butter and sugar using an electric whisk until smooth. Add half the soft cheese and lemon zest and beat again, then add the remaining and beat until smooth.
• To assemble, place one sponge, flat-side up, on a cake stand or plate and spread with a third of the icing. Scatter with most of the remaining smashed praline, then top with the other sponge, also flat-side up. Spread the rest of the icing over the top and sides, then decorate with the whole praline pecans. Chill for 1 hr to set, then slice and serve with any remaining smashed praline for sprinkling over. Will keep in an airtight tin for three days.