Mama Dips Carrot Cake Recipes

Steps:

• For the carrot cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 9- by 13-inch rimmed baking sheets and line each baking sheet with parchment paper (see Cook's Note).
• Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ginger and allspice in a large bowl. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the oil, pineapple, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla. Beat in the eggs one at a time until well combined. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the batter is smooth. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the grated carrots for garnish and fold in the remaining carrots, raisins and walnuts into the cake batter.
• Divide the batter between the prepared baking sheets. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of each cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool for 30 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks, taking the parchment off the base of each cake as you go. Allow the cakes cool completely before frosting.
• For the cream cheese frosting: While the cake is baking, chill the bowl and paddle attachment for your stand mixer. Once the cake is cooled, beat together the cream cheese and butter until very smooth in the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the vanilla, then slowly add the confectioners' sugar, about 1 cup at a time. The consistency should be fairly thick yet easy to spread. If it becomes too loose, add more powdered sugar (a little at a time).
• Transfer the frosting into a piping bag or a resealable plastic bag. Pipe the frosting evenly over the top of one of the cake layers. Top with the other cake layer. (If you have the time, pop the cake into the freezer here for a few minutes to make it easier to cut). Carefully cut the layered cake into 2-inch squares, so that you have individual, square, naked cakes. Pipe a little more frosting on top and decorate with the reserved grated carrots and walnuts.

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You can either arrange plain walnuts in a single layer in a shallow pan and bake 12 minutes or until toasted or buy Blue Diamond candy coated walnuts (which is what I do)and not bake. Process walnuts until slightly ground.
• 2. Sift together flour, cinnamon and baking soda. Spray bottoms and sides of three 9-inch cake pans with cooking spray. Beat sugar and oil at medium speed until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until blended after each addition. Fold in carrots - you may also fold in 1 cup walnuts if desired. Bake 40 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes, remove from pans and place back onto wire racks; let cool an additional hour or until completely cool.
• 3. Spread frosting over first layer, sprinkle with ground walnuts. Put second layer on top of first layer, spread with frosting and again sprinkle with the ground walnuts. Place third layer on top of second layer, spread with frosting both on top of cake and all around the sides. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the remaining ground walnuts.
• 4. MY ADDITION TO CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: I can never make a cream cheese frosting to taste any better than the store bought, so I always use the ones from the store BUT I add some Bailey's Irish Cream to the frosting - just enough to give it a slight tint of tan and not to runny. It gives the frosting an encredible taste!!

Steps:

• Cake:
• Sift together first 3 ingredients. Set aside. Line 3 lightly greased 9" round ake pans with parchment or waxed paper; lightly grease the paper.
• Beat sugar and oil at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until blended and stopping to scrape down sides. Fold in carrots and 1 cup of nuts. Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.
• Spread cream cheese frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Arrange remaining ½ cup of nuts around outer edge of cake. Cut with a serrated knife.
• Cream Cheese Frosting:
• Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed of mixer until fluffy; gradually add in powdered sugar, beating well. Stir in vanilla.