Jamie Oliver’s Carrot and Ginger Cake is a moist, spiced cake made with grated carrots, fresh ginger, and a hint of cinnamon. The cake has a lovely texture and is topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting that complements the sweetness of the carrots and the warmth of the ginger.
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, caster sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt. Stir well to combine.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, gently mixing until just combined.
Add the grated carrots and fresh grated ginger to the batter. Fold gently until evenly distributed. Add the chopped walnuts or pecans if desired.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake is golden brown.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until smooth and creamy. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. Smooth with a spatula and add a sprinkle of extra chopped nuts on top if desired.
Cut the cake into squares and enjoy with a hot cup of tea or coffee!