Mini carrot cakes the new pandemic comfort treat - Boston Herald

First banana bread helped us cope with the pandemic, then came blueberry muffins and now carrot cake is our comfort treat. Instead of a layer cake oozing with lots of frosting, why not try making it in a half sheet cake pan and cut the cake into cakettes (little squares). These can be frozen unfrosted.

CARROT CAKETTES

1¾ c. unbleached all-purpose flour

2 t. baking powder

1 t. baking soda

2 t. ground cinnamon

1 t. ground nutmeg

½ t. salt

½ t. ground cloves

¼ t. ground ginger

1 c. packed light brown sugar

½ c. light olive oil

3 large eggs

Grated zest 1 large orange

¼ c. fresh squeezed orange juice

1 T. vanilla extract

2½ c. shredded carrots

¾ c. coarsely chopped raisins or dried apricots

MASCARPONE CHEESE FROSTING

¾ c. softened butter

2 c. mascarpone cheese at room temperature

8 to 9 c. sifted confectioner’s sugar

1 T. pure vanilla extract

1 T. half-and-half or milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 12-by-16-inch rimmed baking sheet with butter and line with parchment paper; butter parchment paper. Set pan aside.

In a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and cloves.

In a separate bowl with a whisk or handheld mixer, combine the sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, zest and orange juice together until mixture is smooth. Stir in carrots and raisins or apricots. Add flour mixture and fold in until mixture is combined.

Spread the batter evenly onto the baking sheet. Tap the pan to eliminate any air.

Bake until cake is firm to the touch, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool cake in pan on wire rack until cake is at room temperature. Lift cake with parchment paper and place on a cutting board. Trim the outer edges of cake so all sides are even.

Use a 2½ inch square cookie cutter and cut cake into squares. Makes 24 2½ inch squares

To frost, beat butter and mascarpone cheese until well blended. Slowly beat in 8 cups of sugar; if mixture seems runny add more sugar. Stir in vanilla and half-and-half or milk. For mini layer cakes, frost a cake square then top with another square and frost top. Or simply serve individual squares with frosting or a dusting of confectioner’s sugar.

Find more recipes at ciaoitalia.com.

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