Tag: Baking

This is a fairly simple easy carrot cake recipe that I was given a number of years ago which I have made some alterations too, to make it a little healthier and to cut out the amount of oil and sugar.  Hope you enjoy.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
3 cups shredded carrots
1 cup apple sauce
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 325oF.  Grease a 13x9x2 pan.  In mixer combine first 6 ingredients until mixed.  Add carrots, apple sauce and eggs.  Mix until combined.  Beat for 2 minutes.  Pour into pan.  Bake for 40 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool then top with cream cheese icing.

Optional:  you can add raisins or walnuts to the batter before cooking as well.

Cream Cheese Icing
1-3oz pkg of light cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups sifted icing sugar

In a mixer beat together cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.  Gradually add icing sugar, beating until smooth.

We were talking about easy snacks the other day that are quick to make and also easy to take with you when on the go with a little one.  One of my favourites is scones so I thought I would share the recipe I use.  Not sure where the recipe originally came from as this is the one I grew up eating.  These are great on a cool day with a bowl of soup for lunch.

Ingredients:
3 cups of flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
4tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
milk
(optional: you can add raisins, dried fruit or berries)

Preheat oven to 450oF

Put flour, sugar, salt, baking powder and butter in food processor.  Process until butter is sort of pea size.

Crack egg in 1 cup measuring cup and fill cup up to 1 cup with milk.  Pour this through the feed tube while processor is running.  Mix until combined.

Scoop out by dessert spoon onto greased or non-stick cookie sheet, flatten a little with your hand before putting into oven.

Bake 10-12 minutes.

Variation:
For cheese scones leave out the sugar and add cheese and spices.  Use 1/4 cup parmesan along with a good sized handful of old cheddar.  If out of parmesan, use 2 handfuls of cheddar.  Spices I like to use are garlic, onion powder, thyme.  I will also add some worcetshire sauce and a few drops of tabasco to the milk and egg mixture.

Hope you enjoy.  Would love to hear what other spice combinations you like in your scones.