Gourmet Carrot Cake

• self raising flour↗4 ounces
• plain flour↗4 ounces
• ground cinnamon↗2 teaspoons
• ground cloves↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• ground ginger↗1 teaspoon
• ground nutmeg↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• bicarbonate of soda↗1 teaspoon
• oil8 fluid ounces
• soft brown sugar↗6 ounces
• golden syrup↗4 fluid ounces
• eggs↗4
• grated carrots12 1⁄2 ounces
• chopped walnuts2 ounces

  or 2 ounces pecans

• cream cheese↗6 ounces

  softened

• butter↗2 ounces

  softened

• ounces icing sugar↗6
• teaspoon vanilla essence↗1
• teaspoon lemon juice↗1 -2

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to warm 315dF.

2. 2

   Brush a deep 9 inch round cake tin with melted butter or oil.

3. 3

   Line the base and side with baking paper.

4. 4

   Sift the flours, spices and soda into a large bowl and make a well in the centre.

5. 5

   Whisk together the oil, sugar, syrup and eggs and gradually stir in the dry ingredients until smooth.

6. 6

   Stir in the carrot and walnuts.

7. 7

   Spoon the mixture into the tin.

8. 8

   Bake for 1-1/2 hours or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted into the centre.

9. 9

   Cool in the tin, then on a wire rack Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.

10. 10

    Gradually add the icing sugar alternately with the vanilla and lemon juice, beating until light and creamy.

11. 11

    Spread the icing over the cake or cut th cake horizontally, sandwich the layers together with half the icing and spread the rest on top.