Carrot and Orange Cake

Winter is very synonymous with carrots and oranges at my place. Perhaps something to do with the cold season during my growing up years in India when this kind of produce was seasonal.
Before I share the recipe for this truly amazing Carrot and Orange cake, I would like to apologise for my long absence from this space. It was never intentional because creating gives me more joy than anything in this world. I started a new venture in the middle of a global pandemic in an industry which was not only unknown but also probably the worst hit by Covid-19. I think it was a really brave decision, however it caused much stress, anxiety and dissappointment to my family and myself.
When we embark on a new journey, our heart is filled with hope and courage and faith that we could possibly beat all odds. But more often than not, there are external factors that influence our circumstances that are barely in our control. We can only do our best!
I had to say a sad but practical goodbye to our venture and here I am as happy as ever to be back in my cosy corner of the Internet doing the things I love. I believe, experiences, good or bad teach us a lot. It can change our perspective of the world around us. It can help us discover new facets about ourselves.

It is lockdown once again in Sydney, but everything seems different this year. For one, my twins seem to have grown up in leaps and bounds. I have discovered a new baking companion in one of them. We baked this cake together and oh the joys, when you can pass on the not so enjoyable tasks (like grating carrots) to an enthusiastic boy.
The recipe for this Carrot and Orange Cake is easy but results are amazing. You can taste both the carrots and a little hint of citrus from the orange. Spices are another reason I love baking this in winter.

There is abundance of Orange Cakes here. If you like this, you should try out my Blood Orange Olive Oil Cake and this stunning layered Orange Carrot Cake with cinnamon Buttercream.

Carrot and Orange cake
Makes a 6 inch round cake

2 eggs
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup grated carrots
1 and 1/2 cup plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg powder
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp all spice powder
1 tsp grated orange zest
1/2 milk
Fresh slices of oranges, to serve

Orange Buttercream
125g unsalted butter, room temperature
1 and 1/4 cups icing sugar
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp finely grated orange zest

Method :
To make the cake
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
Grease a 6 inch cake pan and line the base with baking paper.
Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix together either with an electric mixer or by hand with a whisk.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 mins. or until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Remove from oven. Turn onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, spread orange buttercream. Top with fresh orange slices.

To make the buttercream
Beat the butter until pale and fluffy using an electric mixer or with a whisk. Gradually add the icing sugar and milk while constantly beating until well combined. Add the orange zest and beat for 30 seconds.