Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a delicious and popular dessert made primarily with grated carrots, which give the cake its distinctive flavor and moist texture. It is typically spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes ginger. Carrot cake is often frosted with cream cheese frosting, which complements the flavors of the cake.

Here's a basic recipe for carrot cake:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the cream cheese frosting:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
5. Fold in the grated carrots until evenly distributed in the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan(s) and smooth the top with a spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Remove from the oven and let the cake(s) cool completely on a wire rack.

For the cream cheese frosting:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Stir in the vanilla extract and mix until smooth and creamy.

Once the cake has cooled, you can frost it with the cream cheese frosting. Spread the frosting evenly over the cake using a spatula or piping bag. You can also decorate the cake with grated carrots or chopped nuts if desired.

Carrot cake is best served chilled and can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Enjoy!