ICING for CARROT CAKE?...ps what is QUARK?

[noonar]

i have 2 recipes for carrot cake icing (am making dh a bday cake)- one cranks, one delia. both require ingredients that i cannot get at the local shops- namely , Quark and creme fraiche. is quark similar to philadelphia - could i use that instead?

alternatively, could you suggest a philadelphia- based recipe, anyone? tia

I've used philly to make cream cheese frosting & found it went all watery. Best check Waitrose (have bought cream cheese from ASDA & Sainsburys though).

Quarl also too watery, but can subsitute it in baked cheesecakes.

I've given up on making carrot cake cos I never get the frosting right

In the US you can buy block cream cheese and the spreadable kind. I have seen the block type in our Tesco (but it is a large one). If you use the spreadable kind, just make sure to drain off the whey (any liquid that may be on it). I've always used Philly for my frosting with no problem.

Quark is actually curd cheese, which I don't think anyone has said yet. It makes a very nice dessert mixed with fresh whipped cream and chopped up wholenut chocolate.