It's about this time of year that I start to think about carrot cake. "Why now?" you ask? Well, this is harvest time. The garden is beginning to look empty and the pantry, cold storage and fridge are becoming very, very full. In a vain attempt to stay ahead of things I begin to search out recipes that use large quantities of fresh veggies. Generally, the more interesting and unusual the ingredient list the better. And, well, vegetables in cakes - how can you go wrong? Inevitably, I remember this wonderful recipe.
This recipe is one of my favorites. I discovered it a number of years ago in Fine Cooking. Over the years I've tweaked it a little, but the parts that I most love remain the same - lots of carrots and olive oil. It's a hearty cake that always seems to turn out, and is, well, a wonderful way to welcome in Fall.
P.S. - I recently came across a new carrot cake recipe, and, though I love this one dearly, I'm curious to see how this one compares. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Maple Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
adapted from Fine Cooking, February 2001
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup maple sugar
3/4 cup olive oil
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp allspice
2 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
8-10 medium carrots shredded (~3.5 cups)
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 tbsp dark rum
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease (with olive oil) and flour two 9" round cake pans and set aside.
Combine oil and sugar in a bowl. In a separate bowl combine all remaining dry ingredients. In a third bowl beat eggs, then add vanilla. Measure out 3 1/2 cups of carrots and set aside.
Mix sugar mixture until it resembles a coarse wet sand. Generally, I like to mix ingredients by hand. It lets me indulge in the goodies I make without feeling too much guilt. I worked for it right?
Add half the dry ingredients to the sugar olive oil mixture. Stir until thoroughly combined. Continue to add dry ingredients alternating with the egg mixture.
Add carrots and rum. Stir until combined. If you like nuts or raisins in your carrot cake this would be the time to add them. Distribute the batter evenly between greased and floured cake pans. Let the batter rest for at least 15 minutes.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Cake is done when a toothpick or knife inserted into the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
1 1/2 packages cream cheese
1 package of chevre
1/2 cup of grade B pure maple syrup
1/2 cup heavy cream
Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix by hand or using an electric mixer until frosting holds shape. Frost cake once cake is completely cooled.
Enjoy!
