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Judy Keegan posted an update
There’s something irresistibly comforting about a carrot cake — that golden, spiced crumb, its yielding warmth and moist richness, all crowned in a lavish slathering of cream cheese icing. But this carrot cake, is something else entirely. It’s not just a cake — it’s a moment, a mood, a little piece of gently spiced heaven.
The recipe is included in the American Baking Course from Betina Montagne.
It starts, of course, with the carrots — freshly grated, vivid and earthy, melting into the batter like morning sun into fog. To that, the buttermilk brings its gentle tang, softening the crumb and adding a quiet depth, while the sunflower oil, so clean and unassuming, lends a luscious, almost silken texture.
The brown sugar is what gives it soul — dark, damp, and caramelly, coaxing out the warmth in every bite. Instead of the usual citrusy brightness from the orange rind called for in the recipe, I’ve gone rogue and added some mixed peel. It’s a nod to fruitcake — festive, chewy, unexpected — and it works beautifully, the tiny jewels of citrus giving just the right amount of lift to the sweet spice.
And then — oh, the glace ginger! Those fiery little nuggets tucked into the batter like hidden treasure. They deliver a quiet heat that lingers long after the last crumb is gone. Eggs, of course, hold it all together — giving structure and that slight bounce that makes the cake feel alive, not stodgy.
But the crowning glory? That voluptuous Philadelphia cream cheese icing. Smooth, creamy, just tangy enough to offset the cake’s richness — it’s like the silk robe you throw on after a long hot bath. Luxurious, effortless, necessary.
It’s the kind of cake you make when you’re not in a rush. When you want to stir something slowly in a warm kitchen, perhaps barefoot, perhaps with a little chillaxing music playing in the background. It’s a cake to share, yes — but only with those who deserve it.
Oh and by the way, I customised the recipe to suit me as I am glutenfree.
Mercedes Delgado de Miguel, Lana Mihajlović and 2 others3 Comments-
Level:
Scoolinary Team
Wow, Judy! ✨ What a beautiful and poetic way to describe your carrot cake you managed to convey not just the recipe, but the whole sensory and emotional experience behind it. I love how you adapted the recipe with your own personal touch the citrus zest and the candied ginger sound like such a brilliant and original idea. And the fact that you made it gluten-free makes it even more special and accessible.
Have you ever thought about writing down your recipes in this kind of narrative style and putting them together in a little cookbook? I’d love to read it from start to finish. 📖✨
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@sussan_scoolinaryteam i have been working on a cookbook for a few years now, in honour of my mother in law who passed away a few years ago now. My husband has many fond memories of her cooking rituals every weekend. She made the best cakes and treats for her children.
I managed to inherit all her recipes and thought I would convert them to glutenfree versions.
All I have left to do is make the remaining recipes and photograph the finished items, put them together and get it published.1
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Level:
Stagier
Deliciosa 😋
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