In The Kitchen With kanta : Carrot Cake

I was looking through my previous food articles and I realised that it’s been a long time since I shared a cake recipe with you.  This is quite ironic considering the fact that cakes are my true passion, and I love them more than I love any other food.   That being said, today I have decided to share this simple yet delicious carrot cake recipe with you.  When it comes to cake I believe that simplicity is key, like most things really.  So, without further ado this is one of favorite cake recipes, and I hope you enjoy it.

Prep: 30min | Cook: 30min | 

Serves: 12 

Ingredients

For the cake

• 250g self-raising flour
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 400g caster sugar
• 350ml vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 350g grated carrots
• 120g chopped walnuts (optional)

For the cream cheese icing

• 225g cream cheese
• 110g margarine, softened
• 450g icing sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C / Gas 4. Grease two 23cm/ 9 inch round cake tins, sprinkle flour into the tins, to prevent the cakes from sticking.

Make the icing: In a medium bowl, mix together the butter and cream cheese, then add the sugar and mix well. Stir in the vanilla; once done leave it in the fridge until the cake is ready and cool.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, cinnamon and sugar; add the oil and eggs and mix until blended. Then stir in the carrots (and nuts if you are using them). Divide the cake mixture evenly between the two prepared tins.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven. When cooked a tooth pick or knife, inserted into the cake should come out clean.

Remove the cakes from the oven and cool them on wire racks whilst still in the tins.  Use your icing to fill the middle of the cake and to cover the cake.  You can sprinkle grated carrots or cut walnuts, over the top of the cake for decoration.

Serving

Serve however you want with a beverage of your choice.  It is guaranteed to impress your friends and family.

Kanta Temba is a cake maker and decorator. She is also the owner and founder of Kanta Kakes – cake shop.

You can find her work on www.kantakakes.com.  Follow her on twitter @KantaKakes and Instagram @KantaTemba.