The addition of Odense Almond Paste gives this cake a subtle almond flavor and a rich and dense moistness. For the finishing touch, top with Marzipan Carrots
Time:
30 minutes to assemble
35-40 minutes to bake
Total time: 65-70 minutes (not including frosting)
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon each, ground cinnamon and baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-7 oz. box Odense Almond Paste (grated using large hole side of box grater)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup safflower oil
4 eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrot
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup sliced almonds
OPTIONAL Frosting:
2-8 oz. packages cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
1-16 oz. box confectioner's sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2-9 inch cake pans or use bakers spray.
2. Sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a small bowl. Set aside
3. Add grated Almond Paste (grated using large hole side of a box grater) and sugar to a mixing bowl and beat until small crumbs (a food processor works well for this step). Add oil and beat until thick and smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition. Beat in vanilla extract.
4. Add the flour mixture, carrots, raisins, and almonds to almond paste mixture. Beat on low until just mixed.
5. Divide batter equally between two pans. Bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near middle pulls out clean. Cool pans on wire racks for 10 minutes and then invert cake onto wire racks to finish cooling.
6. If using optional cream cheese frosting beat cream cheese and butter until very creamy. Add confectioner's sugar (sift if lumpy) and beat until smooth. Beat in extract of choice.
7. Place cooled cake top-side down on cake plate. Generously frost top and position second cake on top, top-side up. For a faultless (no crumbs) frosting, lightly frost cake with a skim (thin layer) of frosting and refrigerate. When skim coat is firm, finish cake with a generous second layer. For an extra special touch decorate with Marzipan Carrots.