Cake. I like to bake cakes, always have. I think it's because it's one of the activities I did with my dad when I was kid (he is on a perpetual quest for the pefect bread pudding, but that is another story for another time). I think I enjoy baking cakes more than actually eating them. There is something about the chemistry involved, I think. In any case, when my pal Al mentioned that her husband likes carrot cake and she wanted to get one for Easter, I started thinking about carrot cake. I have never made a carrot cake. I like carrots and all, but I have never really thought about the merits of carrots in a cake. I suppose there are many, so why not.
So I am trying to find the best recipe for a carrot cake. My mission, and I have chosen to accept it is to make a bang up cake for some bang up great friends for Easter. If the president of Iran can "gift" 15 sailors back to Britain, I can give my friends a carrot cake.
But which one? Do you know how many recipes there are for carrot cake? Why so many? It's a cake with carrots! Do I want one with pineapples or do I want one with steamed raisins, STEAMED RAISINS?! So while I am wading through the finer points of carrot cake, dying eggs and trying to convince Little Sir that bunny ears are cool, I hope you and yours have a great weekend...Easter...Passover...Saturday and Sunday!
Oh, and I will be knitting too, because nothing says Easter like a pink-stained Chevron scarf...or a Chevy, as I like to call it (not because I am cool, mostly because I am lazy).
Try these (found them recently):
http://bakingbites.com/2007/04/one-bowl-carrot-cake/#more-8
http://desertculinary.blogspot.com/2005/05/carrot-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese.html
I looooove carrot cake - I was going to try the cupcakes this weekend!
Posted by: stacey | April 06, 2007 at 12:28 PM
If I may put forth a very decided opinion, you DEFINITELY want one with (crushed) pineapple--it keeps the cake so moist. Delish!
Posted by: Ashley | April 06, 2007 at 12:30 PM
Hey! It's my birthday today, and guess what?? I'm getting a carrot cake b-day cake! It's my absolute favorite cake. And can I also say that I am LOVING your chevron scarf! What a great idea to use your Sundara sock club yarn for it. It's fantastic!
Can't wait to see Little Sir in bunny ears!
Posted by: knittingphilistine | April 06, 2007 at 01:10 PM
Carrot cake is my oldest sons favorite. I like to add ALL of the ingredients different cakes call for. (coconut, nuts, raisins and the pineapple) Cream cheese frosting of course!
The 'Chevy' is wonderful. What a creative 'shot' too, rolling it like that with the unworked Koigu right next to it! Is there anything Koigu doesn't do right?
Posted by: Diana | April 06, 2007 at 01:52 PM
I made it onto the blog! Of course, it had to be because of my husband's penchant for baked goods and my inability to do more than a boxed cake. Nonetheless-I'm in and I'm famous!!! Now I must learn to knit so I can become a regular.
Posted by: AL | April 06, 2007 at 02:12 PM
I assume your quest for the perfect carrot cake encompasses a quest for the perfect cream cheese frosting? Because I'm of the opinion that the frosting makes or breaks that carrot cake. For me it's key that it be more tangy and less sweet, but of course your friends may have other preferences. Mmmm, now I want carrot cake. Stupid Passover.
Good luck!
Posted by: Rachel | April 06, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Mmmmm ... carrot cake! Please don't ruin it by putting yucky raisins in it. Ick! Cream cheese frosting, however, is a necessity.
Posted by: Beth | April 06, 2007 at 04:27 PM
Go for the one with pineapple. Steamed raisins sound like too much trouble indeed. Don't forget the walnuts! Happy Easter.
Posted by: Felicia | April 06, 2007 at 04:40 PM
Carrot cake is very yummy. I've made a few, and my advice is to avoid the pineapple (even well drained, it makes the cake pretty wet). My husband's recipe uses carrots, spices and finely chopped pecans. Steamed raisins don't sound yummy.
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Brenda | April 06, 2007 at 05:13 PM
I happen to have the very best carrot cake recipe... it's a family secret but I might be persuaded to share it with you... :)
Posted by: Karma | April 06, 2007 at 06:36 PM
sadly i am not a devotee of the carrot cake so i'm curious to see what you end up with. and good luck!
Posted by: amanda | April 06, 2007 at 06:43 PM
Yumm.....carrot cake....
Hey BMFA has medium weight back in stock. I totally overbought to make a few chevron scarves!
Posted by: tiennie | April 06, 2007 at 07:57 PM
Yes, definitely have plans to enjoy my "Saturday and Sunday." Carrot cake is deeelish. Try zuchinni bread next. It's all about the moisture.
Posted by: JulieFrick | April 06, 2007 at 08:57 PM
My input is to not read your blog until after you make the carrot cake... otherwise you will be in a constant state of indecision until Monday.
Or, you can make different versions with everyone's different favorite, fed ex a slice of each version to each person and we can vote... yeah! I'll make the sacrifice, just for you... Carrot cake -- yum!
Posted by: kathy | April 06, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Carrot cake has always been my favorite--it was my birthday cake a lot as a kid (mom wanted a "healthy" alternative). My go-to carrot cake recipe involves crushed pineapple. I find that it doesn't affect the taste at all, it just keeps it moist. Throw tons in, and definitely raisins, but not necessarily steamed. Really, the only thing that matters is that it isn't dry and that it features a cream cheese frosting--the rest is all just ancillary!
Posted by: Mintyfresh | April 06, 2007 at 10:59 PM
I love carrot cake but have never made it (though I did make a smashing banana bread the other day...fruit, veggie, similar, no?) so can't help much except wish you the best of luck in your search for the perfect recipe. I'm very curious about your dad's search for the perfect bread pudding recipe though. Has he found the formula for the ideal specimen? Can he share it? (I love, love bread pudding and try out every recipe that I get my hands on...)
Chevy is looking great! Hope you do convince Little Sir that he loves bunny ears, or at least can tolerate them long enough for us to see an adorable picture. :)
Posted by: Marie | April 07, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Mmmm Make sure to let us know which one is best. I love me some carrot cake.
Posted by: Christy / Not Hip | April 08, 2007 at 12:42 AM
The first carrot cake my mom ever made was a yellow Betty Crocker cake with cut up pieces of carrots in it. Hope yours is better!
Posted by: Theresa | April 08, 2007 at 03:31 PM
The Chevy is fantastic.
Hope the carrot cake came out well, which recipe did you go with? Carrot cake is a favorite of one of my friends - who also celebrates birthday week. I tried to make her carrot cake cupcakes last year and something went wrong...really wrong. They didn't rise and were not edible when they came out of the oven, though she pretended they were still tasty. :)
Last night's baking was more successful - Martha's chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. Yum!
Happy Easter!
Posted by: Stacey | April 08, 2007 at 11:52 PM
I hope your cake turned out well, whether with steamed raisins or without! Can you really go wrong with SUGAR?
Posted by: Elinor | April 09, 2007 at 12:52 AM