Friday, October 29, 2010

Carrot Cake

October is such an all time favorite month for everybody. The beautiful fall colors of the season, Halloween of course, but than there are birthdays...and not just any birthday. My granddaughter, the second oldest of my 4 grandchildren Sophia's 9th birthday. I mentioned in my "Tagged" answer that I had to learn from "Betty Crocker" to cook, and I did not mention, also, to bake, as well. At that time, a hundred years ago...(actually, in the seventies)...Betty Crocker recipes were very popular, as were Better Homes and Gardens. Seems like everybody had a cookbook from one, or the other, as I did. This recipe is really so easy, and your family will love this, especially the beautiful fall colors, even in the frosting, which is just a nice creme cheese frosting with a few drops of yellow, and red food color, to make it a pumpkin, orange color, few pieces of M&M's a fancy cake pan, or just one 9" pan, or a spring form pan, will make it fancy looking. So much nicer than a 13x9 which the recipe calls for.

adapted from Betty Crocker
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk (I use 1/2 evaporated milk)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
dash of salt
3 cups shredded carrots (about 5 med. carrots)
do not use pre shredded carrots-they are too thick

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 13x9 8 inch or 9 inch round, or spring form pan, with shortening, or cooking spray. In a large bowl, beat sugar, eggs and vegetable oil with an electric hand mixer till combined for about a minute or 2. In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, and add them slowly to the wet mixture. Add the milk and vanilla to it, and beat on low, till all combined. Fold in the shredded carrots, and pour batter into pan. Bake for 30 minutes on 350 degrees, and lower the temperature to 325 degrees. Bake for an additional 25 minutes. Check by inserting toothpick into middle of the cake, to see if it comes out clean. Cool completely, before frosting, at least 1 hour.

Cream Cheese Frosting

1 package 8 oz. creme cheese softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 Tbsp of milk
(add about 7 drops of yellow food dye and 4 drops of red dye to the milk to make orange color)
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and velvety. Frost cake, and immediately chill in freezer for about 20 minutes before decorating.

25 comments:

aipi said...

Love the beautiful heart shape..carrot cake looks awesome with the frosting and cute m&m topping..
Many happy returns to your granddaughter..God bless!

US Masala

Sara & Miki said...

These look fantastic!

Angie's Recipes said...

A very pretty carrot cake! And I like it heartshaped!

Priya said...

Wow wat a gorgeous looking cake, looks absolutely fabulous..

Susi said...

Great looking carrot cake :o) Love the heart shape and the fall colored M&M's. Happy 9th Birthday to Sophia! My youngest is turning 9 next month as well :o)

Kim Kelly said...

Mmmm!!! We always love a good carrot cake! Love the heart shape, my daughter would like that too. Happy birthday little one!

Brenda said...

What a yummy looking cake. I have a carrot cake recipe saved that every weekend I say I'm going to make and I still haven't. Seeing yours is making me crave it now. Happy 9th birthday Sophia!!!

Elpidio said...

Kids will love to eat this cake.

Healthy meal for kids

Wendy said...

Gorgeous...love the fall colors you picked! I love carrot cake, but I've never made one. Maybe I should make that one of my fall blog challenges!!!

Sabby said...

Wao Elisabeth lovely cake and you looks so cool...nice to see your photograph....

Nicki Woo said...

First of all, the picture you took of the cake could not have been more beautiful. So alluring. I will definitely make that cake.

Second, I'm just loving that pic of you and your granddaughter, its precious.

We had a birthday this week also. I posted our Jack O' Lantern Fall cake on my blog as well. My mother, Nana, is coming in for my daughter's 10th birthday in 2 hours (which is why I'm awake at this crazy hour) and we couldn't be more excited. I tell you what, I think any grandkid if they had a choice of one person at their birthday celebration, would always pick their grandma's because they are so special and loved. Have a fabulous weekend. As always, love your recipes!

Mari said...

Great way to decorate this cake. I love the color on the frosting. Sophia is a beautiful girl, congratulations and God bless.

Cardamom Hills said...

Hey...the cake is soo much fall styled =) Loved the pic of you anf your grand daughter!
MJ

My Kitchen in the Rockies said...

What a pretty cake! Love it.

Emma said...

Very pretty cake and photo Elisabeth :)

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

The prettiest carrot cake for a prettiest little girl!

Charlie @ SweetSaltySpicy said...

This cake is gorgeous!

Monet said...

What a beautiful pair of ladies...and what a wonderful carrot cake! We adore carrot cake (we served it at our wedding) and so I know this recipe would be a real pleaser at my house. Thank you for sharing and for your thoughts for my family. They mean so much!

Spice Sherpa said...

Totally agree on October being a favorite for so many people. Maybe that's why Halloween is so popular---it's really about the end of summer's cruel heat and the beginnng of pleasant days and holiday spirit! Lovely cake...the hear is a nice touch.

Chic&Gorgeous said...

Oh.. Your grand daughter is such a sweetie and so fortunate to have you as her grandma who's a chef ;). The heart shape carrot cake with orange coloured cream cheese frosting and m&m to decorate looks so cute,sweet (perfect for your grand daugther) and DELISH!

GreenGirl said...

Your heart cake looks so great in the Halloween colors. happy birthday to Sophie, may all her dreams come true

Megan said...

I love hearts!.... they make me smile and feel warm on the inside! Beautiful birthday cake! - Megan

Patty said...

Ok...I see I missed a ton of recipes from you while I was in Maine last week...definitely making the gnocchi one and the carrot cake and I have been looking for this icing recipe...the marshmallowy one...for my husband forever...he loves this stuff...thank you so much...

Kimberly Peterson said...

What a beautiful cake and what a lovely picture with your granddaughter. Thanks for sharing :)

baking.serendipity said...

This carrot cake is adorable! I love the heart shape and fall colored candies :)