Carrot Cake: Gourmet Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped raisins

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Add wet mixture to the dry mixture, and mix until well combined.
4. Add grated carrots, chopped walnuts, and raisins to the mixture, and stir well.
5. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool completely.
7. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until frosting is smooth and creamy.
8. Spread cream cheese frosting evenly on the cooled cake.
9. Serve slices with a dusting of cinnamon or topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Verdict:

This carrot cake recipe is a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and texture. The grated carrots create a moist and tender crumb, while the raisins and walnuts add a lovely chewiness and crunch. The cream cheese frosting ties everything together with a tangy and creamy finish.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve this cake at a brunch or as a dessert for a dinner party. Pair slices with a cup of coffee or tea for the perfect sweet treat. It also goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.