Description
Mary Berry’s carrot cake tray bake is a versatile dessert that combines grated carrots with a spiced cake batter to create a rich and moist cake. Topped with a creamy frosting made from cream cheese and butter, this cake is perfect for serving as a dessert, at tea time, or even as a special treat during the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Cake:
- 225g self-raising flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp mixed spice
- 150g light muscovado sugar
- 50g walnuts, chopped (optional)
- 200g carrots, grated
- 2 large eggs
- 150ml sunflower oil
- 1 tbsp milk
- For the Frosting:
- 100g unsalted butter, softened
- 200g cream cheese
- 250g icing sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of one orange (optional)
- Chopped walnuts or pecans for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan, gas mark 4). Grease and line a rectangular baking tin (approximately 30x23cm).
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the self-raising flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and mixed spice.
- Add sugar and nuts: Stir in the muscovado sugar and chopped walnuts (if using) until well mixed.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add the sunflower oil and milk, mixing until combined.
- Add carrots: Stir the grated carrots into the wet mixture.
- Combine mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared tin, smoothing the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the icing sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until creamy and well combined. Stir in the orange zest if desired.
- Cool and frost: Allow the cake to cool completely in the tin before spreading the frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or pecans if desired.
- Serve and enjoy: Slice the cake into squares and serve. Enjoy your homemade carrot cake with a cup of tea or coffee.