Fiona Cairns says: 'This moist cake rose to prominence in the 1970s and remains hugely popular. The flavours in the buttercream are a wonderful complement.'
Ingredients
- 175ml sunflower oil, plus more for the tin
- 60g pecan nuts, chopped
- 200g self-raising flour
- 1/ 2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 1/ 2 tsp baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
- 175g light muscovado sugar
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 250g carrot, finely grated
- zest of 1 orange, finely grated
- 50g unsweetened desiccated coconut
Buttercream
- 40g pecan nuts, chopped
- 80g unsalted butter
- 60g icing sugar, sifted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 150g unsalted cream cheese
- juice of 1 orange
WEIGHT CONVERTER
Method
- Preheat the oven to 160ºC/fan 150ºC/325ºF/gas mark 3.
- Oil a 23cm diameter, 7.5cm deep, round tin and line the base with baking parchment.
- Scatter the pecans - both for cake and buttercream - on to a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 5–10 minutes, shaking once and watching carefully so they don’t burn, then measure out, separate and set aside the amounts needed for the cake and buttercream.
- Sift together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg into a large bowl. In an electric mixer - or in another large mixing bowl with a handheld electric whisk – slowly beat together the oil and sugar for a minute or so until smooth, then gradually add the eggs, beating well after each addition. Using a large spoon, gently fold in the carrot, zest, pecan nuts and coconut then, finally, the flour mixture.
- Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the tin for a few minutes, then turn out on to a wire rack to become completely cold.
- Meanwhile, make the buttercream. Beat the butter, icing sugar and maple syrup until really light and fluffy (this could take 5 minutes). In another bowl beat the cream cheese until smooth, then fold it into the butter mixture. Finally, add the orange juice. Spread over the top of the cake and scatter with the pecan nuts.
Top Tip for making Fiona Cairns' Carrot pecan cake with maple syrup and orange buttercream
Fiona says: 'Don't be tempted to open the oven door to peep at the cake too often. Leave this until the final 5-10 mins. If you keep opening the door at the start, you will affect the rise and texture of the cake.'
Trusted, informative, and empathetic – GoodToKnow is the ultimate online destination for parents. At GoodtoKnow, our mission is 'simple': we're trying to make sense of parenthood. On the site, you'll find everything you need for a happy, healthy family life. Our huge archive of content includes more than 18,000 articles and 1,500 how-to videos. These include expert-backed advice features on parenting, dealing with relationship changes after having a baby, self-care for mums and managing your family finances. We also feature tried-and-tested product reviews and buying recommendations for every stage of family life - from prams and Moses baskets to birthday gifts and top toys.
-
Orange polenta and olive oil cake
This orange polenta and olive oil cake has just a handful of ingredients and will taste even better if you can bake it a couple of days ahead.
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Black Forest gateau
Our Black Forest gateau has a rich, luxurious chocolate sponge sandwiched with freshly whipped cream and topped with sweet cherries...
By Jessica Dady Published
-
Maltesers shortbread
Our Maltesers shortbread takes just 20 minutes to bake and use only five ingredients
By Rose Fooks Published
-
Annabel Karmel's trio of vegetables with tomato and basil
Suitable for six months plus, this baby food by nutritional expert Annabel Karmel is made with a whole heap of veggies...
By Annabel Karmel Published
-
Annabel Karmel's cheesy carrot stars
These flavour-packed cheesy carrot stars by Annabel Karmel are perfect for introducing finger foods to your little one...
By Annabel Karmel Published
-
Steak and salsa wraps
Our steak and salsa wraps are one of those build-you-own suppers the teens in your house will love...
By Jessica Ransom Published
-
Paris Hilton’s expert-approved parenting rule that ‘bans’ her two kids from using one everyday item
The socialite is taking in all the expert advice she can when it comes to her parenting rules
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
You probably already have the ingredients to make a lava cake in your air fryer - here's how to whip up this easy dessert
You could have yourself a delicious homemade dessert in just 10 minutes with this air fryer lava cake hack.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Quick! Tesco's FREE carrots for Rudolph are back while stocks last
Don’t forget to leave a carrot out for Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph this Christmas Eve…
By Jessica Dady Published