Carrot Cake

Maple Carrot Cupcakes

6:02 AM



Maple Carrot Cupcakes

Cupcakes-
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 cup canola oil
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 cups grated carrots (about 6 medium)

Frosting-
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar 
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Walnuts, optional

In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In another bowl, beat eggs, oil and syrup. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in carrots.
Fill 18 greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. For frosting, combine the cream cheese, butter, sugar, syrup and vanilla in a bowl; beat until smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes. Add nuts if desired. Store in the refrigerator.  (Makes 18-24 cupcakes)



Breads

Orange Cranberry Bread

8:00 AM



Orange Cranberry Bread

2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 large egg
1 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons canola oil
2 to 3 teaspoons grated orange zest
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 large apple, peeled and chopped

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugars, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Whisk the egg, milk, orange juice, oil and orange zest; stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in the cranberries and apple. Pour into two greased 8x4-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. 

Cake

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cake

7:00 AM



Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cake

1 3/4 cups boiling water
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix water and oatmeal in mixing bowl, and let sit 10 minutes. Add sugars, butter or margarine,and eggs, and vanilla. Mix well. Add flour, baking soda, cocoa, salt, and cinnamon. Blend. Pour into greased and floured 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) oven for 20 minutes.


Apples

Apple Walnut Cake With Brown Sugar Frosting

9:12 AM



Apple Walnut Cake With Brown Sugar Frosting

Cake:
1 can apple pie filling
2 cups all purpose flour 
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsps. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

Frosting:
7 tablespoons unsalted butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
2 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread pie filling on the bottom of a greased 9x13 baking dish. In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl combine eggs, vanilla, oil, nuts, and raisins. Pour flour mixture into egg mixture and mix until combined. Pour over pie filling in baking dish and stir until blended. Smooth batter evenly in pan. Bake 40-50 mins; until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake comes out clean. Place baking dish on a wire rack to cool while you make the frosting.

To make the frosting: Melt the butter in a small pan over medium heat. Stir in the brown sugar and salt and cook, stirring, until the sugar melts. Add the milk, bring to a boil, and pour into a mixing bowl to cool for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, stir in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Beat well; if the mixture appears too thin, add more confectioners' sugar. Pour the frosting onto the warm cake, smoothing it over the entire surface. Serve warm, or let it cool and serve at room temperature.