Carrot Cake with a Mascarpone and Walnut Topping

I recently got asked for a last minute addition to a charity cake sale to raise money for a women charity and as I'm getting right into this nesting business I was happy to bake even if I was tired after a busy day at work and use it as an excuse to try out my carrot cake recipe below. An all in one method that was quick and easy to bake and decorate too making it the perfect charity bake sale cake to make in an evening.

Ingredients

Cake

165g Light Brown Sugar

225g Self- Raising Flour - Sifted

2 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp Ginger Powder

1/2 tsp Cinnamon Powder

40g Walnut Pieces - Chopped

150ml Vegetable/Sunflower Oil

1 tsp Vanilla Extract

135g Carrots - Grated

30g Raisins

2 Bananas - Ripe and Mashed

2 Eggs

Topping

250g Mascarpone Cheese

2 tsp Vanilla Extract

2 tbsp Icing Sugar

Walnut Pieces to decorate

Equipment

Stand Mixer/Electric Mixer

20cm x 20cm Baking Tray

Whisk

Spatula

Method

1)Pre heat oven to 180C/160CFan/350F/Gas Mark 4 and line baking tray with greaseproof paper

2)In a stand mixer add all the ingredients above and mix for around 2-3 minutes until fully combined

3)Place into baking tray and bake for around 25 minutes until skewer comes out clean

4)Around to cool in tray for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely

5)Whisk together mascarpone, vanilla and icing sugar before spreading over the top of the cake and topping with walnut pieces - either whole or crushed

6)Cut into cubes and enjoy

Carrot Cake with a Mascarpone and Walnut Topping