birthday cake

[fedda]

Hi, I'd love to make a birthday cake which would look as good as shop bought but be healthier. any suggestions, please?

[mamama]

Carrot cake?

All the b-day parties we've been to (all were 1st @ 2nd) this year have had carrot cake. Kids love it - you can make it not too sweet and use veg oil instead of butter/ marg so can be a bit healthier. And most kids love cream cheese icing on the top. or you could use normal icing... just an idea!

[fedda]

Thank you, I like the idea. Does anyone have a good recipy for a carrot cale?

[mamama]

Here is the recipe I used (It is Nigella Lawson's). I have to say I don't think it is the best but I can't find my great recipe anywhere. Would love to know if someone else has a great one. I made it into cupcakes so it was easier for all the babies/ toddlers to eat.

Carrot cupcakes

Makes 12

Baking time 20 mins

4 oz brown sugar 5 oz grated carrots (about 2 med carrots)
6 fluid oz oil (sunflower or vegetable)* 4 oz chopped walnuts (I left them out)
2 large eggs 12 bun muffin tin
8oz flour Frosting
¾ teaspoon baking soda 4 ½ oz cream cheese
1 teaspoon cinnamon 9 oz powdered sugar (sieved)
pinch salt 1-2 teaspoons lime juice
zest of ½ lemon 12 walnut halves or some grated lime zest
zest of ½ orange

? Preheat oven to 375/ 180
? Beat sugar & oil together then add eggs on at a time
? Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt & zests
? Add grated carrots & walnuts (if using)
? Spoon into muffin tins
? Bake for 20 mins
? Leave to cool then cover with frosting

Frosting
? Beat cream cheese till smooth and soft then beat in sieved powdered sugar
? Squeeze in lime juice to taste
? Spread on cooled cupcakes
? Add walnut halves or lime zest to decorate

[fedda]

I have a nice recipy for coffee cake but it doesn't look that great. I wonder if i could use cream chese icing on it. i have quark at home. I also wonder how long it will last. Does anyone have any ideas? Thank you.

[mamama]

How long the cake or icing would last? The icing is fine for a week in the fridge although it tends to harden a bit. Tastes fine though! Not sure about the cake but probably about the same, especially in the fridge. Might go a bit stale though?

Would love to see coffee cake recipe.

[fedda]

Coffee cake.
175g unsalted butter softened
175g raw cane sugar (works with other types as well)
3 eggs beaten
175 g self raising flour
1 decert spoon coffee desolved in 1 tablespoon of boiling water
50 g chopped pecan nuts (optional)
Cream together butter and sugar, beat eggs separately, add a litle at a time
Sift flour, fold into the mixture.
Stir coffee, nuts if using, transfer the mixture into 20 cm (8 inch)lined deep round cake tin. Bake on Gas 4 for approximately 30 minutes. Turn out. Cool.

[mamama]

Thanks Fedda, sounds yummy

[fedda]

Thank you, mamama. I've baked it yesterday and used the chocolate icing, I thought it was nice and moist, my husband loved it but my son said it wasn't the worst cake he tasted! There you go. Next time i must think of something else.

[fedda]

Interestingly enough both my son and my husband had some cake today and liked it.

[mamamaaargh]

I've added your recipe to my to-do list. Maybe by the end of the week, we'll have tried it!

[fedda]

Please let me know how it goes for your family. We don't have a single bit left now. All cake has been eaten, I only had one piece.