Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting

Photo Courtesy of CHOW.com

Cardamom-Spiced Carrot Cake with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe - CHOW

INGREDIENTS

* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 2 teaspoons ground cardamom
* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon kosher salt
* 4 large eggs, at room temperature
* 2 cups granulated sugar
* 1 cup vegetable oil
* 1/3 cup well-shaken low-fat buttermilk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 2 pounds carrots, grated on the large holes of a box grater (about 6 cups)
* 1 cup walnuts, toasted and finely chopped
* 2 Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting recipes

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 350°F and arrange the rack in the middle. Coat two 8-inch cake pans with butter and flour, and tap out any excess flour. Set aside.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, cardamom, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, and salt in a large bowl, and whisk to aerate and break up any lumps. Set aside.
3. Combine eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla in a large bowl, and whisk until eggs are broken up and mixture is thoroughly combined. Using a rubber spatula, fold in flour mixture until just combined. Fold in carrots and walnuts until evenly mixed.
4. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 to 60 minutes.
5. Remove cakes from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool, about 15 minutes. Run a knife around the perimeter of each, and turn cakes out onto the rack to cool completely.
6. To frost, place a cake layer on an 8-inch cardboard round, a tart-pan bottom, or a cake plate. Evenly spread about 1/3 of the frosting over the top of the layer. Stack the second layer, and evenly spread another 1/3 of the frosting over the top and sides of the whole cake. (Don’t worry about looks at this point—this is just a basecoat, a.k.a. a crumb layer, and it will be covered up later.) Place in the refrigerator until frosting is set up and slightly hard, about 15 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator and spread remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, ensuring it’s as even as possible. Serve.

 

WHIPPED  CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:

INGREDIENTS

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, and beat at low speed until sugar is incorporated.
2. Increase speed to medium high and beat until frosting is light and whipped, about 3 to 4 minutes. Use to top cookies, cupcakes, or cakes.

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