Spicy Carrot Cake

A spicy recipe inspired by Fannie Farmer, and with my conversion whips up quickly. Just don’t get ahead of yourself like I did here and ice a too warm cake. I recommend two 8 inch round cake pans for this recipe instead of the two 8 inch by 4 inch loaf I used here.  Yes, I sliced each layer to increase to a four layer cake. The frosting is not exactly the traditional for this cake. I just simply combined a butter cream frosting with a cream cheese. Our family isn’t big on a strong cream cheese taste for this carrot cake.

The slices were served and no one was the wiser!

Perfectly Delicious

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Recipe

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare two 8 inch cake pans, grease and lightly flour.

Measure and whisk together these dry ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 1/4 Cups sugar
1 Teaspoon baking powder
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 Teaspoon cloves
1/2 Teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 Teaspoon allspice

Add these wet ingredients:

1/2 Cup drained crushed canned pineapple
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
3 Eggs
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
8 Ounces carrot baby food-no water added (such as Beechnut Just Carrot)

Incorporate all ingredients until just mixed through. Avoid over-beating. This is a cake that mixes well by hand.

Lastly:

Fold in 1 Cup roughly chopped walnuts

Pour batter into two prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick pierced in the center comes out clean or the center bounces back when lightly pressed … about 35 to 45 minutes. Remove when done.

Let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes then remove to wire rack and cool to room temperature.

Frosting

4 Ounces room temperature cream cheese
1/4 Cup room temperature butter
1 Teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
2 1/2 Cups powdered sugar

Beat the above ingredients together. If too thick cream can be added to create spreadability. Start with very little, a teaspoon or two. Beat. Continue to add a teaspoon until frosting still holds form but is creamy. Spread atop each layer. For four layers use a serrated knife and slice the cool layer from side to side. Go slowly. The nuts and pineapple can catch on the blade but it can be done.