* Carrot Cake *

As i planned to post recipes sent by my frnds this month..got the first one here..a yummy cake recipe sent by my Sis - in law(Cousin) Bindu Pillai (UK)..thnx sis for sharing dis cake recipe.

A moist,yummy cake with the goodness of carrots and raisins.


Ingredients for the cake

140 g(5 oz) self-raising flour(wholemeal or white)
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
175 g(6 oz) light brown sugar
60 g(2 oz) chopped pecans or walnuts
60g (2 oz) raisins
140 g(5oz) carrots-peeled and grated
150 ml(5 fl oz)sunflower oil,plus a little extra for greasing
2 large eggs,beaten
2 tbsp orange juice

Ingredients for the cake topping:

300 g(10 oz) full-fat soft cheese(or unsalted butter)
150 g(5 1/2 oz) icing sugar
1 orange zest and 2 tbsp juice


 

METHOD:

*Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C.(350 deg F or Gas mark 4).
*Grease and line the bases of 2- 20cm (8 inch) round cake tins with a little oil and baking parchment(brown baking paper).
*Mix the flour,baking powder,spices and the sugar in a large bowl.
*Add the raisins,carrots and nuts to this mixture and mix everything together thoroughly.
*In a separate bowl,whisk the eggs,add the oil and the orange juice to this and mix well.
*Add the egg mixture to the carrot mixture and stir in everything well.
*Now divide the mixture equally between the 2 tins and bake in the oven for 25-30 mins or until the top the cake is
springy to touch.You can also insert a skewer into the middle of the cake.If it comes out clean,the cake is ready.
If not leave in the oven to cook for a further 10-15 mins.
*Take out of the oven and leave the tins to cool down for 10 mins.
*Then turn out the cakes onto a wire rack and allow them to cool completely.

While the cake is cooling,you can make the icing mixture.

 
*Beat together the cheese and the icing sugar in a bowl.Add the orange juice
and zest to it and mix well together.
*When the cakes are thoroughly cool,layer the icing onto one cake.
Place the other cake on the top of this like a sandwich and do the rest of the icing.
Decorate the cake with a little orange peel and whole nuts.Enjoy!

Tip: Instead of cheese you can use butter.I used butter as I didn't have any cheese.I made the icing with 100g unsalted butter and 100g icing sugar.Now be careful when adding the orange zest to this as the zest will make the butter fall apart.
I also used orange squash in my recipe as I didn't have fresh oranges either.!


- Bindu Pillai (UK)