Midnight Cake Baking Extravaganza

After a long day at work there's nothing better than a decadent slice of carrot cake. So, I rolled up my sleeves and decided to get baking, much to the amusement of both my flatmates. Pffft, the world needs to stop judging people who choose to indulge in carbs post 10pm.

Ideally, this cake would be double layered so feel free to double the ingredients, tier up, and splurge!

First, pre heat the oven to 170 degrees C.

Begin grating the carrots. Beware of grating your knuckles bloody - not fun.

Whisk the flower, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt, nutmeg together in a bowl and set aside.

Mix the eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, brown sugar and vanilla together in a large bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until fully incorporated. Stir in the carrots and walnuts until evenly distributed. 

Pour the batter into an oiled pan and bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean (you know the drill!). 

Cool the cakes for 30 minutes.

In the meanwhile, make the icing by beating cream cheese and butter together until smooth (mine came out lumpy, need to invest in an electric beater!). Add vanilla extract and beat in sugar, until the icing has the flavour and consistency that you like. 

Keep the icing in the fridge for 20 minutes before coating all over your cake!

TAAAA-DAAAA! It's midnight and my cake is ready.

Ingredients


Cake:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 extra large eggs
3/4 cups sugar
1/2 cup canola oil (or vegetable oil)
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
400 grams finely grated carrots
1 cup toasted and chopped walnuts 


Cream-cheese frosting:
200 grams softened cream cheese
1/2 stick softened unsalted butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 
1 1/2 cup confectioners sugar (to taste)

I'm in love again - halloumi and vegetable fajitas

El mustache has overtaken me, hands down, when it comes to innovative cooking. This summer it was vegetarian fajitas with halloumi cheese (I could live on a diet of just halloumi), roasted peppers and spicy mango salsa.

I couldn't find mangoes in my local Cooperative last night. So, we made a winter version of this delightful meal. So simple to make too!

Salsa - cherry tomatoes, chilies, limes, cucumber, peppers.
Equals tangy, sweet and delicious!

Halloumi grilled with peppers and onions, topped with crushed chillies for that added kick and 1/4 packet of Mexican salsa spices

All wrapped up in whole meal tortilla.

Deliciousness in my mouth.

This is what my plate looked like.

A very simple, innovative meal. Much recommended when you have many people over for dinner.