Harvest Carrot Cake With Skillet Fruit Recipes

HARVEST CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
• Lightly butter 3 (9-inch/23-cm) round cake pans.
• If you don't have 3 pans, use disposable 8-1/2-inch (21.6-cm) round foil pans instead.
• Line bottom of pans with a circle of lightly buttered waxed paper.
• To plump raisins, place in a small microwave-safe bowl and drizzle with liqueur. Cover with plastic. Microwave on medium until warm, 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
• Peel carrots; grate using large grating disc of a food processor or a box grater. Grated carrots should measure no more than 3-1/2 cups (875 mL). It's important not to use any more or cake will be soggy.
• In a medium-size bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs with orange peel, brown sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla until smooth.
• In a large bowl, using a fork, stir flour with baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and allspice.
• Make a well in centre.
• Pour in egg mixture. Stir just until moist.
• Gently stir in carrots, raisins with any remaining liqueur and pine nuts until evenly distributed.
• Scrape into prepared pans and smooth tops.
• Bake in centre of 350 degree Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) oven until a cake tester inserted in centre of cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; turn out onto a cooling rack; cool completely.
• If making ahead, wrap individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days.
• For icing, place cream cheese in a large bowl.
• Using an electric mixer, beat until creamy.
• Beat in icing sugar; add vanilla and orange-flavored liqueur, scraping down sides as needed.
• Stir in 1/3 cup (75 mL) coconut.
• Place 1 cake on a large plate.
• Spread one-third of frosting overtop, just to edges.
• Repeat layering with cakes and frosting to form a triple-decker cake.
• Sprinkle top with remaining 1/3 cup coconut.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour, or overnight, before serving.
• Slice into wedges and serve.
• Any leftovers will keep well, covered and refrigerated, up to 5 days.