Carrot Cake

Ingredients

• For the cake:
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup castor sugar
• 3 Large eggs at room temperature
• 2 cups of sifted Cake flour
• 2 cups finely grated Carrots
• 1 teaspoon of Baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup of chopped toasted Walnuts
• Small can of crushed Pineapple ( strained from juice)
• 3/4 cup Oil
• 1 tablespoon of Vanilla essence
• 2-3 teaspoons of fine cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of mixed spice
• Keep a few walnuts one side for decorations
• Fatima's Cream Cheese frosting
• 250 grams of butter ( room temperature)
• 2&3/4 cups of sifted icing sugar
• 1 tablespoon of vanilla essence
• 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• 250 ml cream cheese (Room temperature)

Instructions

1. 1

   --- For the cake ---

2. 2

   Beat your eggs and sugars with electric mixer for 2-3 minutes, add the oil and vanilla essence and beat for another minute

3. 3

   Now, sift all dry ingredients together and add to mixture. Mix this in with a spatula or spoon

4. 4

   Next, add your carrots, pineapple and walnuts - fold these ingredients in with a spoon or spatula till just combined. Don't over work batter as this will result in a tough dense texture.

5. 5

   Spoon the batter In two round standard size greased baking tins and bake for half an hour at 180°C. Or test with a skewer and if it comes out clean your cake is done.

6. 6

   Cool cake completely before decorating.

7. 7

   --- For the cream cheese frosting ---

8. 8

   With electric mixer beat your butter until light and creamy - about 3 minutes. Add half of your sifted icing sugar, the vanilla and lemon juice and whisk till well combined.

9. 9

   Add the remaining sifted icing sugar and whisk till combined - about 2 minutes.

10. 10

    In a separate bowl, add your cream cheese, loosen and stir with a spoon for about a minute.

11. 11

    Take 1 cup's worth of your vanilla frosting and whisk it in with the cream cheese for a few seconds. Add another cup of frosting and whisk till combined.

12. 12

    Next take the remaining vanilla frosting and stir in lightly with a spoon with the cream cheese frosting. Place in fridge and chill for 10-15 minutes before using. Decorate your cake .