Friday 14 June 2013

Carrot cake (no added sugar)



A healthy cake, with no added sugar. Stays nice and moist and would probably get even tastier if it lasted to the next day! Unfortunately the cake is toooooo delicious and moorish so it was devoured in a matter of hours!

Healthy Carrot Cake 

3 eggs
1 banana
15 soft dates (~100grams)
6tbsp rapeseed oil
1,5dl ground almonds
1dl spelt flour
1,5tsp baking powder
3tsp cinnamon
1tsp cardamom
3 carrots, finely grated
1dl dessicated coconut
1dl assorted nuts, roughly chopped
1dl raisins/sultanas

+ margarine and dessicated coconut to bread the cake tin with

1. Preheat the oven to 175degrees. Prepare a round cake tin (or any oven dish that's handy). The cake does not rise or expand a whole lot, so a tin that just about holds the cake batter is sufficient.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside to wait, while mashing the banana together with the eggs, oil and the dates (using a stick blender helps!). Add all of the ingredients together, finishing with the grated carrot and raisins.
3. Bake the cake in the preheated oven until a skewer/toothpick comes out clean. Between 40-50mins, if I remember correctly! ;)

Tastes great as is, but for a special occasion a cream cheese frosting suits this cake perfectly. My favourite is one flavoured with fresh orange or lemon juice!

Wholesome and scrumptious comfort food for rainy days like these! x



Saturday 1 June 2013

Graduation Cake

I have been a little bit more than busy this spring and therefore also been prioritising baking over blogging. The simple reason is, I have not taken the time to sit down and make the effort to write new posts. I do bake a lot and that is the most enjoyable thing...sharing my creations, recipes and pictures is fun, but does come second to the work I do in my kitchen.:)

Nevertheless, I have some recipes and photos that I do want to share and intend to get on to this site...just as soon as I get the time for it.;)
Here is one cake I made for a friend's daughter to celebrate her graduation. (In Finland we normally use the term matriculation examination).

As requested the cake is a chocolate sponge/pound cake with two layers of blueberry & raspberry mousse. The cake is coated with a basic butter cream and covered with a vanilla flavoured fondant. All details are fondant as well. Because I made it for a young lady, I took the liberty to spray it with some pearl glitter!;) 





Sponge/Pound cake recipe (for a 24cm round cake tin)

240g butter
240g sugar
200g plain flour
40g dark cacao powder
4 eggs
1,5tsp baking powder
2tbsp milk

This sponge needs approximately 50mins in a 150degree oven. (depending on the oven in use of course) Best way is to test with a toothpick or skewer. 

Blueberry & raspberry mousse

400g plain cream cheese
250ml whipping (or double) cream 
300g berries 
6 leaves of gelatine
(0,5dl sugar, optional)
+ a splash of juice to heat up for the gelatine

I moistened the three layers of sponge with some cordial (any sweet juice or milk will do). The filled cake needs at least 6hours to set, preferably over night. 

 
Congratulations on your graduation Anni! :)