HAVING a slight fondness for carrot cake, I went in search of tackling a recipe that would be a one hit wonder for me. I like things to be easy and having put the research in, I tweaked a few ideas and landed this little delight n the plate – and i have to say, it is one dish that will deliver and punch far and above its weight. The cake is a take on a classic carrot cake but with the addition and subtraction of a number of ingredients that makes it more like a pudding. Either way, it is in the presentation and accompaniments when serving this that really elevates it to something much more memorable.
Here’s what I did.
WHAT YOU NEED
450g of grated carrot
3 tbsp of plain flour
8 tbsp of Vermouth
100g soft brown sugar
A dash of vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 of a packet of water biscuits blitzed
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Zest and juice of a lemon
1 large egg, beaten
75g raisins
1 apple grated
Pinch of salt
100g melted unsalted butter
WHAT TO DO
THIS recipe is a mix and match of a number of different options but I have to say it really is one of the easier options.
Simply, mix the flour and vermouth in a bowl. Then, add the remainder of the ingredients and combine well to make your cake batter.
Spoon the mixture into a greased baking tin. It is ideal to use a shallow one so the the cake mix really is no higher than a couple of inches as this is better for cooking and indeed the end result. Pop it into a preheated oven circa 180degC for 45 minutes and check its consistency. Reduce the heat of the oven by 10 or 15 degrees and cook for a further 12 minutes and check again and make sure that an inserted skewer comes out clean and you know it is done. Allow to cool for 15 minutes if you would like a hot slice but I have found that a slice of this at room temperature is just perfect, especially when you serve all the accompaniments.
To serve; smoother a slice of the kugel with cream cheese. Then, add some lemon zest, carrot strands, orange segments and a scoop of ice-cream and sit back and enjoy the taste sensation.
Believe me.
