Marbleized Carrot Cake Bars

Just in time for Easter — Carrot cake bars that incorporate the frosting into the cookies! Softened cream cheese mixture is swirled through a carrot cake-like base for an attractive and tasty treat. 

We sprinkled the finished and cut bars with a light dusting of powdered sugar. 

Marbleized Carrot Cake Bars     Makes a 7x11-inch pan

For the bar base:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup brown sugar + 2 tablespoons, packed 

1 egg

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup finely grated  carrots (finely grated, about 1/8-inch shreds)

For the filling:

4 oz cream cheese @ room temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg yolk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.; spray or grease a 7x11-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. (For easy removal, line pan with foil or parchment that overlaps the ends; spray that with pan release.)
2. Melt the butter in the microwave (about 30-45 seconds) and pour it into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the brown sugar until combined, then add the egg and 1 tbsp vanilla, mixing until smooth. 
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. 
   
   
   
4. Fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, then gently fold in the grated carrots. (This is done by hand to avoid overmixing that can make the bars tough.).
5. In a separate mixer bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with the sugar until smooth and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg yolk and 3/4 tsp vanilla, stirring until fully combined. The mixture should be thick and spreadable. 
6. Spread half of the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. 
7. Dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over the batter in small dots across the surface — leave in dollops. 
8. Cover with the remaining carrot cake batter, spreading gently to seal some of the cream cheese filling inside. Dollop the remaining cream cheese mixture in dots over the top layer.

   

   Our nephew Mason West dollops the cream cheese mixture into the cake batter.

   
   
9.  Using a thin knife or skewer, gently swirl through the batters in a figure-eight or zigzag pattern to create the classic marbled effect. 
   
10. 
    

    

    
    
11. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the carrot cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the carrot portion (avoiding the cream cheese) comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The cream cheese swirl may still look slightly underbaked, which is fine. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. It also helps to make clean cuts if the bars have been refrigerated. A sharp knife also helps with a clean cut.
12. Store in the refrigerator. 

Recipe without photos . . .  Marbleized Carrot Cake Bars     Makes a 7x11-inch pan

For the bar base:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup brown sugar + 2 tablespoons, packed 

1 egg

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup finely grated  carrots (finely grated, about 1/8-inch shreds)

For the filling:

4 oz cream cheese @ room temperature

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 egg yolk

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.; spray or grease a 7x11-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. (For easy removal, line pan with foil or parchment that overlaps the ends; spray that with pan release.)
2. Melt the butter in the microwave (about 30-45 seconds) and pour it into a large mixing bowl. Stir in the brown sugar until combined, then add the egg and 1 tbsp vanilla, mixing until smooth. 
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, then gently fold in the grated carrots. (This is done by hand to avoid overmixing that can make the bars tough.).
4. In a separate mixer bowl, beat the room-temperature cream cheese with the sugar until smooth and creamy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the egg yolk and 3/4 tsp vanilla, stirring until fully combined. The mixture should be thick and spreadable. 
5. Spread half of the carrot cake batter evenly into the prepared pan. 
6. Dollop half of the cream cheese mixture over the batter in small dots across the surface — leave in dollops. 
7. Cover with the remaining carrot cake batter, spreading gently to seal some of the cream cheese filling inside. Dollop the remaining cream cheese mixture in dots over the top layer. Using a thin knife or skewer, gently swirl through the batters in a figure-eight or zigzag pattern to create the classic marbled effect. 
8. Bake in the preheated 350°F oven for 35 to 40 minutes, until the carrot cake is set and a toothpick inserted into the carrot portion (avoiding the cream cheese) comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The cream cheese swirl may still look slightly underbaked, which is fine. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting. It also helps to make clean cuts if the bars have been refrigerated. A sharp knife also helps with a clean cut.
9. Store in the refrigerator. 

Gingerbread Cut-Out Cookies

Classic warm spices and molasses combine to create tasty and easy-to-roll gingerbread cookies. 

Gingerbread Cut-Out  Cookies

3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour + more for rolling out the dough

1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger

1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon table salt

¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

½ cup molasses

1 large egg

 

For decorating – I used red  and green sprinkles for the trees, sanding sugar for the stars and a bit of piped frosting and mini chocolate chips for the gingerbread boys

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda and salt until well combined. Set asideIn a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar and molasses with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2. Add egg and beat until combined.
3. With mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to wet mixing to combine but being careful not to overmix.
   
   
   
4. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour or overnight.  
   
   
   
5. Preheat over to 350° F.
6. Take dough out of refrigerator and let rest about 10 minutes. Divide into 4 or 5 pieces and place one piece on a lightly floured surface — roll thin (1/8 to ¼”). 
7. Cut out desired shapes and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet (or line cookie sheets with silicon baking sheets). Repeat with other pieces of dough. Cut away pieces can be rerolled and cut into cookie shapes. Add sprinkles or sanding sugar if using..
   
   
   
8. 
   

   

   
   
9. Bake trays of cookies for  9 to 10 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes on cookie sheets and then transfer to cooking rack 
10. If decorating, let cookies cool completely and then decorated.
    
    
     Recipe without photos .  . . Gingerbread Cut-Out  Cookies

    3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour + more for rolling out the dough

    1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger

    1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

    ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    ½ teaspoon table salt

    ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) butter, softened

    ¾ cup packed light brown sugar

    ½ cup molasses

    1 large egg

     

    For decorating – I used red  and green sprinkles for the trees, sanding sugar for the stars and a bit of piped frosting and mini chocolate chips for the gingerbread boys

    1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda and salt until well combined. Set asideIn a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar and molasses with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
    2. Add egg and beat until combined.
    3. With mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to wet mixing to combine but being careful not to overmix.
    4. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill in refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour or overnight.  
    5. Preheat over to 350° F.
    6. Take dough out of refrigerator and let rest about 10 minutes. Divide into 4 or 5 pieces and place one piece on a lightly floured surface — roll thin (1/8 to ¼”). 
    7. Cut out desired shapes and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet (or line cookie sheets with silicon baking sheets). Repeat with other pieces of dough. Cut away pieces can be rerolled and cut into cookie shapes. Add sprinkles or sanding sugar if using..
    8. Bake trays of cookies for  9 to 10 minutes. Let cool for about 5 minutes on cookie sheets and then transfer to cooking rack 
    9. If decorating, let cookies cool completely and then decorated.

Smaller Batch Classic Bread Pudding w/ Buttery Vanlla Sauce

We still have our share of restaurant size pans along with regular family-sized casserole dishes. However, these days we are most likely to use smaller sized bakeware as our everyday meals are for just two. So, here’s my version of a smaller batch of bread pudding that serves just six; in this case I used a 7 ½ x 5-inch baking pan but anything close to that should work. Of course you can double the ingredients and bake it in a 9x13-inch baking dish if preferred. 

A hearty dessert for the cold days upon us, bread pudding is a tasty way to use leftover bread and rolls.

 

Smaller Batch Classic Bread Pudding w/ Buttery Vanlla Sauce     6 servings 

Bread Pudding 

4 cups bread cut into 1-inch cubes – pack bread into the 4-cup measure

1/4 cup raisins (or use craisins or other dried fruit)

1/4 cup chopped pecans (or use walnuts or even omit)

1 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4  cup packed brown sugar

3 regular eggs (of use 5 large if doubling the recipe)

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch salt

Sauce  -- sauce ingredients may be doubled if you like extra sauce to pour over individual servings

2 tablespoons butter 

1/4 cup packed brown sugar packed

2 tablespoon heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

1 pinch salt if using unsalted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 7 ½ x 5-inch -inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Bread Pudding: Place bread cubes, raisins and pecans in the prepared baking dish, distributing them evenly. 
   
   
   
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
   
   
   
4. Pour the milk mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread is soaked. Let the bread soak for about 15 minutes, occasionally pressing down the bread to ensure it absorbs the liquid.
5. Bake the bread pudding for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly while you prepare the sauce.
6. Sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
7. To Serve: Cut the bread pudding into squares and drizzle with the warm sauce.

Recipe without photos . . . Smaller Batch Classic Bread Pudding w/ Buttery Vanlla Sauce     6 servings 

Bread Pudding 

4 cups bread cut into 1-inch cubes – pack bread into the 4-cup measure

1/4 cup raisins (or use craisins or other dried fruit)

1/4 cup chopped pecans (or use walnuts or even omit)

1 cups whole milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4  cup packed brown sugar

3 regular eggs (of use 5 large if doubling the recipe)

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Pinch salt

Sauce  -- sauce ingredients may be doubled if you like extra sauce to pour over individual servings

2 tablespoons butter 

1/4 cup packed brown sugar packed

2 tablespoon heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

1 pinch salt if using unsalted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 7 ½ x 5-inch -inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Bread Pudding: Place bread cubes, raisins and pecans in the prepared baking dish, distributing them evenly. 
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.
4. Pour the milk mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all the bread is soaked. Let the bread soak for about 15 minutes, occasionally pressing down the bread to ensure it absorbs the liquid.
5. Bake the bread pudding for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the bread pudding to cool slightly while you prepare the sauce.
6. Sauce: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the brown sugar and stir until dissolved. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
7. To Serve: Cut the bread pudding into squares and drizzle with the warm sauce.

Small BATCH Applesauce Bundt Cake. . . moist & flavorful

One year Kay Emel-Powell organized a Chi Omega cookie/dessert exchange among those of us who had lived in the house during the late 1960s. She shared her fabulous and fun Hoot Owl Cookies (owls are a big deal among XOs). I ran across that handout as I was sorting and organizing a lifetime of memories that included this recipe provided by Nancy Evans Baumgarten. All this cleaning, organizing and purging has made me realize that I don’t need another thing . . . certainly not another kitchen item. But, then I saw this cute bundt pan at Aldi’s and my resolution was quickly forgotten! It was the perfect size for a small dinner party allowing for a sweet ending without leftovers, or even a cake for two with a reasonable amount of leftovers. Consequently I adapted Nancy's recipe that was originally for cupcakes and made a moist and flavorful small bundt cake.

Small batch Applesauce Bundt Cake      Serves 6 to 8 

1 small bundt pan + a few extra cup cakes (the small bundt pan filled about ¾ to 7/8 full holds a little over 2 ½ cups of batter) or use batter to make 48 mini cupcakes

1 ½ cup applesauce (I used homemade Chai Applesauce that was lightly sweetened with honey and spiced but plain boughten applesauce works, too)

½ cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ cup nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)

½ cup raisins, optional

1. Heat applesauce in a medium size pan over medium heat. Add butter and sugar. Set aside to cool.
   
   
   
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
   
   
   
3. Grease or spray  a small bundt pan and fill about 3/4 to 7/8 full. I had enough batter left to make 3 cupcakes. Or, for  48 mini cupcakes — spray small muffin tins and distribute batter among them — fill 1/2 full.
   
   
   
4. In a preheated 350°F oven, bake small bundt cake for about 30 - 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean of a internal temperature probe registers about 210°F'; bake  cupcakes about 15 minutes.. 
   
   
   
5. Frost cooled cake with cream cheese frosting or icing of your choice. (I used ½ batch of a cream cheese-buttercream frosting and dusted the frosting with nutmeg.)

Recipe without photos . . .

Small batch Applesauce Bundt Cake 

1 small bundt pan + a few extra cup cakes (the small bundt pan filled about ¾ to 7/8 full holds a little over 2 ½ cups of batter) or use batter to make 48 mini cupcakes

 

1 ½ cup applesauce (I used homemade Chai Applesauce that was lightly sweetened with honey and spiced but plain boughten applesauce works, too)

½ cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground cloves

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

½ cup nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)

½ cup raisins, optional

1. Heat applesauce in a medium size pan over medium heat. Add butter and sugar. Set aside to cool.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
3. Grease or spray  a small bundt pan and fill about 3/4 to 7/8 full. I had enough batter left to make 3 cupcakes. Or, for  48 mini cupcakes — spray small muffin tins and distribute batter among them — fill 1/2 full.
4. In a preheated 350°F oven, bake small bundt cake for about 30 - 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean of a internal temperature probe registers about 210°F'; bake  cupcakes about 15 minutes.
5. Frost cooled cake with cream cheese frosting or icing of your choice. (I used ½ batch of a cream cheese-buttercream frosting and dusted the frosting with nutmeg.)

Turnip Puff

Barry’s turnip crop is ready so I’m on the lookout for turnip recipes. I found several versions of this turnip puff. Although we like the striking flavor of turnips, we prefer to pair them with potatoes when mashed. The brown sugar helps tone done the slight bitterness of the turnip and the hint of nutmeg adds a somewhat nutty flavor (not at all identifiable as nutmeg). Another nice thing about this casserole is that it can be made ahead and baked later. This recipe is a keeper! 

 

Turnip Puff    4 servings  

2  large purple-topped turnips, trimmed & cubes

2 medium russet potatoes, peeled & cubed

1 egg

1 tablespoons butter

 1 1/2 tablespoons  all-purposeflour

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

1/2 teaspoon white (or black) pepper

Pinch nutmeg

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. if baking the casserole right away. If making the dish ahead, wait and preheat before baking.
2. Bring medium sized pot of salted water to a boil. Add cubed turnips and  cook at a gentle boil until soft, add cubed potatoes about 8 after adding the turnips. 
   
   
   
3. Drain excess water and mash the turnips and potatoes. 
4. Add the egg, butter, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper and nutmeg and combine well. 
5. Transfer to a buttered casserole dish. IF MAKING AHEAD — cover casserole dish  (be sure to use a tempered refrigerator to oven casserole dish) and refrigerate. Proceed with remaining steps when ready to bake. Either allow casserole to come to room temperature before baking or add 5 to 10 minutes to baking time. 
   
   
   
6. Combine the crumbs and butter and sprinkle evenly on top
7. Bake about 25 minutes until casserole is hot and bubbly and crumbs have browned. 

Recipe without photos . . . Turnip Puff    4 servings  

2  large purple-topped turnips, trimmed & cubes

2 medium russet potatoes, peeled & cubed

1 egg

1 tablespoons butter

 1 1/2 tablespoons  all-purposeflour

1/2 tablespoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

1/2 teaspoon white (or black) pepper

Pinch nutmeg

1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

2 tablespoons melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 375° F. if baking the casserole right away. If making the dish ahead, wait and preheat before baking.
2. Bring medium sized pot of salted water to a boil. Add cubed turnips and  cook at a gentle boil until soft, add cubed potatoes about 8 after adding the turnips. 
3. Drain excess water and mash the turnips and potatoes. 
4. Add the egg, butter, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, pepper and nutmeg and combine well. 
5. Transfer to a buttered casserole dish. IF MAKING AHEAD — cover casserole dish  (be sure to use a tempered refrigerator to oven casserole dish) and refrigerate. Proceed with remaining steps when ready to bake. Either allow casserole to come to room temperature before baking or add 5 to 10 minutes to baking time. 
6. Combine the crumbs and butter and sprinkle evenly on top
7. Bake about 25 minutes until casserole is hot and bubbly and crumbs have browned. 

Wild Edibles: SUE’S SPINACH & NETTLE QUICHE

Theme of the latest issue of KANSAS! Magazine (2025 / vol 81 / issue 3, pp. 58-63)  is “Our Wild Kansas Landscapes” so it seemed logical to include a story about wild edibles for the Taste section. I interviewed three women — Terry Olson, Sue Maes and Kelly Yarbrough’s — who teach a class (Edible Native Plants) for Manhattan’s UFM.       

Photo of the quiche is a copy of the one used in the magazine — it was taken by Amy Meng. 

My interview included a walk through the Kansas prairie  and a wild plant feast. Two of the recipes I sampled were Sue’s Spinach & Nettle Quiche and Garlic Mustard Pesto served over hot tortellini. Although I was a bit apprehensive, both dishes were DELICIOUS! Also included in the article is a list of other edible plant ideas plus suggested references for those who might be interested in foraging.

SUE’S SPINACH & NETTLE QUICHE

Sue Maes offered up this recipe but also suggested another alternative, “Use your favorite spinach quiche recipe and substitute one-third of the spinach with blanched nettles.”

 

INGREDIENTS

Pie Crust:

9-inch pie crust, pre-baked for 10 minutes at 375 degrees 

 

Filling: 

1/3 pound Swiss cheese; Cheddar or Gruyere are other possibilities 

1/2 pound fresh spinach & stinging nettles (combine in a ratio of two-thirds spinach to one-third nettles)

1/2 medium onion, finely chopped

1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil 

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt & a pinch of black pepper

4 large eggs

1 ½ cups whole milk, or use part half and half

 

DIRECTIONS

1.   Sprinkle cheese over pre-baked crust.  

2.   Blanch the nettles using tongs to drop them into a pot of boiling water. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until tender, drain and squeeze out excess water.

3.   Sauté onion in a skillet with olive oil until transulent. Add fresh spinach, blanched nettles, dry mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Continue to cook 3 to 4 minutes to blend flavors.

4.   In a bowl, beat eggs and milk. 

5.   Combine the sautéed spinach and nettle mixture with the egg mixture; pour over the cheese-topped pie crust.  

Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Test for doneness with a thin-bladed knife. Insert knife about one-inch from the center of quiche; if it’s clean when pulled out, it’s done. If any quiche clings to the blade, bake a few minutes longer and test again.

Eddie Morris’ Carrot Cake for Virginia Hoffman's 103rd Birthday

Moist and delightfully delicious, this cake was the centerpiece for Virginia Hoffman’s 103^rd birthday party. As she blew out a candle (just one), a  gathering of friends sang  “Happy Birthday” Without missing a beat, she interjected in a strong, loud voice, “Well I’m certainly glad you didn’t add . . . and many more!” 

There were a dozen of us at Virginian's party at Homestead. Afterward, when talking to another friend who was unable to attend the party, Virginia not only named each person in attendance but explained where each one had been seated. 

The celebratory recipe comes from Eddie Morris via Jane Medina and according to Jane it was the recipe she used to make her daughter’s tiered wedding cake.

 

Eddie Morris’ Carrot Cake for Virginia Hoffman's 103rd Birthday    Makes a 2-layer cake (9-inch rounds)

Cake

2 cups granulated sugar

1 ½ cups vegetable oil

4 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 cups grated carrots

 

Icing

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese @ room temperature

1 stick margarine (1 used butter) @ room temperature

1 lb. powdered sugar (3 ¼ cups – but can be adjusted as needed)

Note: I also added about a tablespoon of milk for the consistency I prefer – easily spreadable but not runny + added 1 teaspoon of maple flavoring and a dusting of ground nutmeg on top of the frosted cake (the maple and nutmeg additions are the finishing touches used on Miss Ellie’s Carrot Cake as featured in The Kirby House Cookbook). I also tinted white chocolate melts and piped stylized carrots that I added to the top of the cake + used mint leaves for the carrot tops. 

1. Cake — Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with pan release. Preheat oven to 350°.
2.  In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and oil.
   
3. Add eggs, one at a time and beat.
   
4. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
5. Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture, ALTERNATING with the grated carrots (ending with flour mixture).
   
6. Divide the mixture between two prepared pans. 
   
7. Place pans in the middle of the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (if using an instant read thermometer, the temperate should be 200 to 210°).
8. Place cakes on a cooling rack and remove from pans when cool. 
9. Frost when cool (or wrap and freeze, and frost later).
10. To Frost — place one layer, rounded side down on cake plate. Spread with a layer of cream cheese icing. Add 2^nd later, flat side down and spread icing on top and sides. If desired decorate with tinted and stylized carrots and mint leaves; dust with nutmeg.
11. Icing — Mix softened cream cheese and margarine (butter) in a mixer. Add powdered sugar about one cup at a time. Add milk and flavoring if desired.

Recipe without photos . . . Eddie Morris’ Carrot Cake for Virginia Hoffman's 103rd Birthday    Makes a 2-layer cake (9-inch rounds)

2 cups granulated sugar

1 ½ cups vegetable oil

4 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 cups grated carrots

 

Icing

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese @ room temperature

1 stick margarine (1 used butter) @ room temperature

1 lb. powdered sugar (3 ¼ cups – but can be adjusted as needed)

Note: I also added about a tablespoon of milk for the consistency I prefer – easily spreadable but not runny + added 1 teaspoon of maple flavoring and a dusting of ground nutmeg on top of the frosted cake (the maple and nutmeg additions are the finishing touches used on Miss Ellie’s Carrot Cake as featured in The Kirby House Cookbook). I also tinted white chocolate melts and piped stylized carrots that I added to the top of the cake + used mint leaves for the carrot tops. 

1. Cake — Line two 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with pan release. Preheat oven to 350°.
2.  In a mixing bowl, cream sugar and oil.
3. Add eggs, one at a time and beat.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
5. Add dry ingredients to the egg mixture, ALTERNATING with the grated carrots (ending with flour mixture).
6. Divide the mixture between two prepared pans. 
7. Place pans in the middle of the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 45 minutes, until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (if using an instant read thermometer, the temperate should be 200 to 210°).
8. Place cakes on a cooling rack and remove from pans when cool. 
9. Frost when cool (or wrap and freeze, and frost later).
10. To Frost — place one layer, rounded side down on cake plate. Spread with a layer of cream cheese icing. Add 2^nd later, flat side down and spread icing on top and sides. If desired decorate with tinted and stylized carrots and mint leaves; dust with nutmeg.
11. Icing — Mix softened cream cheese and margarine (butter) in a mixer. Add powdered sugar about one cup at a time. Add milk and flavoring if desired.