Wednesday 11 December 2013

Sunflower Seeds Carrot Cake

    I have an entire family of carrot cake lovers - not the Chinese type of carrot cake but the western version... I think I have at least five carrot cake recipes on this blog so when I came across Bill Granger's version I couldn't resist making it again. 


Most carrot cake recipes are fairly similar - consisting of carrot, raisins and nuts. Bill Granger's recipe calls for pumpkin seeds which added a lovely crunch and texture to the cake. I also liked the addition of orange zest and nutmeg which gave a spicy and citrus after taste.   


Overall, we loved this moist and delicious carrot cake recipe. It's definitely a recipe which would work well for Christmas parties. 


Bill Granger's Carrot Cake (7 inch square)
Recipe from here
  • 1 1/3 cups plain flour
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 cups grated carrot
  • 1 1/4 cups soft brown sugar (reduced to 3/4 cup and it was sweet enough for me!)
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 cup light flavoured cooking oil (I used 3/4 canola oil and 1/4 cup soy milk)
  • 3/4 cup sultanas
  • 3/4 cup chopped nuts
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
  • Zest of 1 orange
Ingredients
  • Preheat oven to 170 degrees celcius (non fan-forced).
  • Lightly grease & line a 24cm springform cake tin (8 inch) with baking paper 
  • In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, cinnamon & nutmeg.
  • Stir in the grated carrot.
  • Make a well in the centre & set aside.
  • In medium bowl whisk sugar & eggs until well blended.
  • Gradually whisk in the oil until well mixed & glossy
  • Pour wet mix into well in dry mix & stir until just combined.
  • Gently fold through the sultanas, pumpkin seeds, nuts & orange zest.
  • Pour batter into prepared cake tin.
  • Bake for about 1 1/4 hours (I baked for 45 mins)
  • Cake is cooked when skewer comes out clean.
  • Leave in tin for about 5 minutes.
  • Run flat blade around the outside of the cake before undoing side of springform & turning out onto wire cake cooling rack.
  • Allow to cool completely before adding desired frosting. I simply spread a layer of softened cream cheese.
I am submitting this to the "Baby Sumo's Christmas Recipes Collection 2013" event here.

This is for Cook Like A Star hosted by Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids, Baby Sumo of Eat Your Heart Out and Mich of Piece of Cake. 

27 comments:

  1. Oh Mich, I adore Carrot Cake!!! What a wonderful and unique recipe. I guess you could say "healthy" too, lol...Thank you so much for sharing...

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  2. I love this cake too. I love the sunflower seeds that you added to this cake.

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  3. Hi Mich,

    Besides carrot cake, I know your family and you like banana cakes too... LOL! The use of pumpkin seeds makes this carrot cake look kind of fanciful and also "colourful" too :D

    Zoe

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  4. mich,this cake look very nice ~

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  5. that cake looks too good... i love carrot cakes and cant wait to try this with the extra crunch of seeds!!!

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  6. Hi Mich,
    Your carrot cake looks yummy! Very moist and soft!
    I'm sharing the Honey Lemon Chicken Wings, seems to be a favourite with most of us! :)

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  7. Mich, love the addition of pumpkin seeds! I want to make carrot cake again!

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  8. I'm a big carrot cake eater as well! The addition of sunflower seeds will definitely give an interesting texture to the cake

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  9. You know that I haven't baked carrot cake yet ?! :P :D The added sunflower seeds in this classic cake sounds really good !

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  10. Haven't tried baking carrot cake with sunflower seeds, must be good. Healthy too. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Been a while since I last baked carrot cake, this sounds delicious! I am going to try this recipe when I want to bake a carrot cake:)

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  12. Fabulous Mich! What a great combo sunflowers seeds and carrots. A nice twist to the classic recipe :-)

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  13. gosh,this post made me misssing home for christnmas even more!
    even this carrot cae is nothing to do with christmas, but since it a staple snack in my home, i guess this comforting dish drive my mood into mellow now……

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  14. I too enjoy a good carrot cake! Yours with sunflower seeds looks marvelous!

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  15. Awesome cake - the pumpkin seeds gives the extra crunch!

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  16. Carrot cake.. we love that too! I actually have some pumpkin seeds leftover in the fridge, maybe I can make this if I have time. :)

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  17. We love carrot cake! I've just made carrot-apple cake
    I always have sunflower-seeds and the next time I make carrot cake, I'll add them on
    thanks!
    I like this version

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  18. it's been a long time i last baked and ate a carrot cake! i also think that the pumpkin seeds gives a nice 'look' to the cake

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  19. I have to admit - I rarely eat sunflower seeds. I don't cook or bake with them, and I rarely have a chance to see them included in food I order/buy. I'm curious how it's like. I assume it gives nice crunch and subtle flavor and aroma. Your carrot cake looks delicious and I wish I can taste it!

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  20. Oh super delicioso y lindo me encanta de zanahoria,abrazos.

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  21. I made this Cake, it was awesome!!!. My whole family enjoyed very much after taking it. Thanks for this amazing recipe………

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