Healthy Carrot Cake
29
A few weeks ago my oven caught on fire, literally. Gone, departed, finished! I turned the switch off to stop the sparking and flames. I felt nothing. That night I ordered a replacement to fill the hole in my rather primitive kitchen – same model, nothing fancy. I felt nothing. The next day I started getting grumpy. I chalked it off to withdrawal from baking and cooking. After all, it had been 24 hours and I hadn’t done either. The next day my chest started hurting and I was a tiny bit alarmed. I was alone at home and not getting any younger. Minor heart attack? Nahh, I thought as I went back to the kitchen and stared at the now dead oven just sitting there, covered in oil splatters and scratches, looking well, – dead! I had this terrible urge to punch something – anything! I am a very "hug everyone", "smile all the time" kind of a person, so this feeling was even more alarming than my chest pain. On the third day, I was walking around the house moping, sulking, procrastinating. The new oven would only get home the following week and meanwhile the old one just sat there being useless. At this point I was like an addict without the means to feed my addiction. Nothing to cook and bake with. In a desperate attempt to feel useful, I cranked up my slow cooker and chucked in a cherry cake and some potatoes to roast. Then as an after thought, I started cleaning my dead oven. Five minutes into cleaning it, I felt incredibly sad. Before I knew it, the tears came and I was glad to be alone at home because I wailed.
Just like that in three days, I had been through the three stages of grief without knowing it. Denial, anger and finally acceptance. I had used my old oven every single day since we bought our home nearly seven years ago. It was a tiny little thing but it fed hoardes. It kept us nourished and content. It saw us through family dinners, a wedding, birthday parties, annual barbecues, and Christmas celebrations. It was a friend and it had served us well. But just like spring, it was time for new beginnings. A new chapter with a new companion. The new oven is the exact same model as my old one and after 2 weeks of cooking and baking, it feels like I am spending time with my old friend. Like nothing has changed.
Don’t look at that kitchen and feel sorry for me yet, I have created a cooking and photography workspace to compensate and here is what it looks like!
This carrot cake was the first thing I baked in my new oven. It is a family favourite. It is the classic carrot cake with a few healthy twists. It is unbelievably light, packed with flavour and super moist. When I am feeling incredibly festive, I frost it with some simple lemon infused cream cheese frosting. But for the most bit, we love it plain with a smattering of icing sugar.
CARROT CAKE
A classic healthy carrot cake oomphed up with cardamom, rice bran oil and pecan nuts. A great afternoon treat!
Preparation Time – 15 Minutes
Cooking Time – 50 Minutes
Makes – To Serve 8
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup rice bran oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup toasted and chopped pecan nuts
1/2 cup sultanas
3 cups grated carrot
Method
Preheat oven to 180C (350F). Grease and line an 9 inch round springform tin with baking paper.
Place the sugar and oil in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and beat for another few minutes. Sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, salt, cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg over the sugar mixture. Add carrot, pecan nuts and sultanas. Mix until well combined.
Pour cake batter into prepared tin. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes until golden and cooked through when tested with a skewer. Remove from oven, cool in the tin for 10 minutes then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Dust with icing sugar to serve.
Oh no! Just over a year ago I discovered termites in my old kitchen walls and it was that discovery that led to ripping out the rear of our house, installing new bifold doors and a gorgeous new kitchen. An expensive exercise but one that just had to be done. I was almost wailing, like you with your oven, when I stood and watched a guy rip the old one apart and leave an empty shell of a kitchen. Now I’m happy again!
john@heneedsfood´s last [type] ..China Lane – Sydney CBD
Yes, I remember stalking your Instagram pictures and seeing your Smartstone bench, was it? Oh I bet you are happy. I can’t wait to get mine done.
A lovely candid post Sneh. I think I would have partied! I want a new oven/cooking range and would not mind if my old one caught fire! LOL! The cake looks incredibly moist and divine!
My old oven also broke down lately and I know too well how frustrating it is to not be able to bake… Thankfully, I received my new baby and it works awesomely.
Thanks for showing us where all the magic happens! A lovely house.
That cake looks delicious and so moist!
Cheers,
Rosa
I remember chatting with you about your oven on Twitter. Glad you got it and it works great!
Your oven looks very similar to my rental one! People are amazed when I tell them how small my bench space is, ( a tad smaller than yours) but where there is determination there is a way.
That carrot cake looks delicious! I might give it a whirl in my little oven
Vintage Macaroon´s last [type] ..Smoked Garlic Bagna Cauda
Absolutely! Couldn’t have said it better Deb. Hope you like the cake!
I adore carrot cake and I love it without icing, too –I have never been a fan of sugary icings. I am sorry for your oven, as I feel the same attachment for such piece of furniture. I changed house many times in the past few years and I had to go through the same acquainting process with the new oven –adjusting temperature, time etc. But it’s OK, the oven will always be my favorite, new or old, as it allows me to take some time for myself and bake something good. Like this one, which I will make soon.
Right? Plain cakes are the best. You can actually taste them
I love how you have created separate working and photography spaces outside your kitchen! I have a problem with a dark kitchen too
and most of my cooking happens at night! so by default my pictures are mostly badly lit 
congratulations on the new oven! I know how it feels when you replace an old, loyal thing… we just sold our 5yr old car and there were so many memories attached… I thought it wouldnt be a big deal, its just a car after all! But 2 days later i was cranky and depressed and close to tears :’(
But hey, here’s hoping you make many new memories with the brand new oven too!
Swati Sapna´s last [type] ..Pink and Pungent – The wonders of ‘Down South’!
oh you poor thing! I totally get that. We have even named our car and are so so attached to it.
This looks gorgeous, and a bonus that it’s healthy! I constantly dream about redesigning my kitchen…one day, one day
thelittleloaf´s last [type] ..Apricot & Pistachio Tartlets
I hear your grief and I totally understand.. I went 5 months without an oven…but thankfully it was only me that I needed to feed, and that moment of the first baking again.. filling the house with beautiful aromas… no words really can express that feeling.
Carrot cake is a staple I do all the time… actually it is a pumpkin bread recipe that I use but just alter the flavouring of and I use a cast iron gigantic pan…. I love the addition of cardamom will have to try that next time.
thanks for always exciting me to what you are baking :~)
I’m actually about to go make lemon curd for tarts … well and to just eat out of the jar :~)
LunaJune´s last [type] ..Where Do You Focus ?
So sorry about your oven! As bakers we come to know the habits of our ovens quite instinctively, I think! What a lovely cake – I’d love a slice now with my morning tea.
Laura (Tutti Dolci)´s last [type] ..toasted oatmeal cookie butter bars: a guest post at Bake Your Day
You inspire me at every post and I am not saying this just because I like you so very much! Your writing Sneh … you make me visualize .. you take me there! That workspace is so gorgeous and I love your studio.
One quick question, can I use olive oil instead for the cake ?
Kankana´s last [type] ..Chatuchak Weekend Market
Love your kitchen. So much character. And you really do work magic. Just goes to show that it’s not the appliances that matter, but the person using them who makes the food so gorgeous.
And, I know how you feel….even an oven can take on sentimental value.
Cheers, love!
PS-We love Milo, too!
before we moved to Melbourne I knew our kitchen would need renovating from the tiny sink (that a ful size plate didn’t fit in let alone a frypan) and the blue tiles and wait for it, fold out wooden ironing table – yes in the KITCHEN! I saved my pennies for some time and now have a gorgeous kitchen that I appreciate so much because of the one that stood in its place before. So, yay for new ovens and a delicious carrot cake, I cna’t wait to try it.
jas´s last [type] ..Caramel Walnut Slice + Tickets! Gluten Free Recipe
Sneh – exactly when did you sneak in to photograph my itty-bitty working space
? But comfort has been there and good meals have emanated to friends and self . . . and, after all, one sees all these showhome kitchens with no love ON show . . . and one smiles and says ‘thank you for the understanding’!
I love your photography and outside workspace Sneh! Unfortunately my entire house lacks natural sunlight, I may need to create a ‘photo workshop’ in my driveway! I personally couldn’t wait to get rid of my old oven, although it was tough being without while the new one was to be fitted. I’m glad you got a new oven and it feels like old times again. The cake looks and sounds lovely
Kirsty´s last [type] ..Very peanutty paste cookies
Carrot cake is a favorite in my family and my boyfriend’s family! We’re always trying new carrot cake recipes for birthdays and since both of our families are pretty health-conscious, a healthier carrot cake sounds perfect for the next celebration! Beautiful and inviting!
With the gorgeous photo treatment of your kitchen, it gets a whole new rustic look
I am always amazed what magic you are working in your kitchen – now expecting even bigger things with your new oven!
Beautiful! Magic obviously happens in that kitchen
My tribute to the humble carrot cake can be found here: http://thecitygourmand.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/jusice.html
thecitygourmand´s last [type] ..Coming up with the Goods
Condolences on the loss of your oven. I wish I could boot mine out but it is an expensive Smeg with too much quirkiness for me. Everything burns on the outside bfore cooking on the inside. We figure it must be that the door doesn’t shut properly and so the elements are permanently on trying to heat it.
Anyway I am sure you will love your new oven. Change is good.
suzanne Perazzini´s last [type] ..Ginger, Coconut, Raisin & Oatmeal Cookies – Gluten Free
Sneh, this is such a beautiful carrot cake!
marla´s last [type] ..ColorFresh { Posey }
Oh, Sneh, what an amazing share. There are so many things running through my mind after reading that, and yet I’m finding it hard to articulate my thoughts. Just know that I feel I’ve gotten to know you a little better, and it’s a testament to your candidness and honesty.
Your cake looks like just the remedy for those difficult few days!
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice´s last [type] ..Desert Candy
I find your kitchen super cute! When we lived in an old terrace in Woolloomooloo our kitchen looked very similar and I’d grown to love it. The cake looks fab too, I love a good moist carrot cake!
Martyna @ Wholesome Cook´s last [type] ..Pasticceria Papa Ricotta Cheesecake | A Replica Recipe
You are right, Sneh.
There are some gadgets and tools without which the kitchen is almost unimaginable- with the oven, microwave, hand mixer and my food processor topping the list.
I wonder how they ever managed a kitchen without these.
And thanks for sharing this recipe. No fuss recipe with all the basic ingredients available right in your kitchen. (By the way, is brown sugar healthier than the normal, white sugar we eat??. I have no idea about that, and thought I’d ask you.
Looking forward to more of such simple recipes.
All the best!
Won’t lie, you have my dream vintage kitchen. Really
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com´s last [type] ..Mushroom in Spiced Cashew Cream Sauce