I spent a long long time thinking and planning what to bake~ Don't want to be mainstream and bake a yule log. Cookies were quite heaty too... And therefore, I decided to bake a carrot cake w cream cheese! Hehe!
Google, Instagram and Pintrest for loads of ideas! Screenshot nice cakes, gorgeous background and beautiful decorations. Trying to get as much inspirations before I plan on my own cake!
Wanted to garnish with rosemary but it's OOS at both NTUC and Cold storage. T^T But there will always be plan B! So... I went over to my neighbors garden and borrowed some mint leaves! He even gave me a stalk for me to grow my own mint! *yay*
This carrot cake recipe is really moist and fluffy! It's very versatile as well! Like nuts in your cake? Add 1/2 cup of walnuts! Like coconuts? Then add em in too! Don't have buttermilk? Add 1/2 tbp vinegar into your milk and let it sit for 5 mins! Simple as that! ^^
Did a little watercolour of a Christmas wreath as well!
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting <3 (adapted from DivasCanCook, edited by me)
- ½ cup white sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder (double acting)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups carrots, finely shredded
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- ½ cup confectioners sugar (may need more to thicken if desired)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 170 degreeC or 350 F.
- Grease and flour 2 (8-inch) cake pans. Set aside
- In a large bowl cream together oil, sugars, and eggs. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk.
- Mix just until fully combined. (careful not to over mix)
- Fold in shredded & pureed carrots, coconut flakes and vanilla extract.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until center is set. (do not over bake!)
- Place pans on a cooling racks.
- While cakes are cooling prepare the frosting by first creaming together the butter and cream cheese.
- Add in the confectioners sugar and vanilla extract.
- Mix until silky and creamy. Add more sugar if a thicker texture is needed.
- When cakes are cooled remove them from pans and frost.
Hope you can try them out! It's a recipe loved by both my family and I! I reduced the amount of sugar so that they will not be so sweet but still enough to let the cake stay moist and soft!
Once again, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND CHEERS TO A GREAT NEW YEAR AHEAD!
~ SSXLXTS Angelyn <3
