Friday, February 2, 2007

Carrot cake – Brazilian style

Brazilian carrot cake

My mom used to bake cakes and make desserts every week. I’d always take a slice of freshly baked cake to school to eat as a snack between classes.

This cake is one of the most common cakes here in Brazil and it’s different from the American and European carrot cake recipes I’ve seen and made.

We blend the carrots with all the other ingredients and the cake has a beautiful and intense orange color.
There are no nuts, raisins or spices in this cake, and the cream cheese frosting is replaced by a chocolate icing – so simple and delicious that can be used in other cake recipes, too.

I once added chocolate chips to the batter – it was great!

Brazilian carrot cake

Carrot cake – Brazilian style

250g carrots – aprox. 3 small carrots
260g all purpose flour
320g sugar
4 eggs – if you use very large eggs cut down to 3
200ml vegetable oil
1 tablespoon baking powder
pinch of salt

Chocolate icing:
4 tablespoons hot chocolate powder or 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons milk

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/355ºF. Grease and flour a 24cm ring pan - I used a slightly smaller pan, and this is what happened:

Chop the carrots in small pieces.
Place all the ingredients in a blender – liquids first – and blend for a couple of minutes until you get a creamy mixture.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

For the icing: mix all the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it boils.
Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes before pouring it over the cake.

Serves 10-12.

49 comments:

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Patricia, I have never been a fan of carrot cake the way it's made here in the US -- chunky, with lots of fruit -- almost like a Christmas fruit cake, and always with a white icing. Your recipe looks fantastic -- carrots that are used for sweetness and not for texture, and chocolate frosting! I'm going to try it this weekend. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Ahh, finally we see this cake! It really is gorgeous, the orange colour is definetely droolworthy :D

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Patricia, you have just made carrot cake tempting for me! The cream cheese frosting has never excited me, but chocolate? Mmmm. This is a must try recipe. Thanks!

Freya said...

This is a beautiful and simple way to make carrot cake and I love the addition of the chocolate icing! One to try for the future!
Freya
p.s. this is my first time on your blog and I think it's wonderful!

Anonymous said...

Oh delicious! I have to try this cake!

Valentina said...

Pat, one of the reasons why i posted carrot cake on Tapioca was because of its uniqueness. Some of the friends I told went like: chocolate? ( weird face).If they just gave it a go. This cake is really beautiful.Yours is doing a great job of ad vertising - looks spectacular.bjocas

Anonymous said...

That is is so interesting! Your cake is beautiful...good enough for me to give the whole carrot cake with chocolate icing thing a try!

Lia said...

Patricia, somehow I've never tried carrot cake in Brazil! This sounds so delicious, that I think I'll make it myself.

And thanks again for the nice comment you left on my blog today. I'm so glad you're enjoying my posts about Brazil. And I must say how happy I am to have discovered your blog. It's been such a treat to read about all the Brazilian foods I love (and miss) so much!

wheresmymind said...

Looks so much lighter than the carrot cakes that I'm used to!

Unknown said...

Very different from what we in the USA call carrot cake.

You have created a sensation here, Patricia.

Tatter said...

Patricia...what a picture, what a cake!
I'm going to make it on Sunday...hmmm...isn't it bizarre I'm about to begin my Brazilian culinary adventure with a dessert... ;-)

Anonymous said...

You made it! Your mom's carrot cake. Now this is the way I like my carrot cake simple and drizzled with chocolate!

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I've never seen a carrot cake recipe like this before -- what a beautiful cake and a great approach! Looks SO tasty!

Anonymous said...

Carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts but I've never added raisins or nuts to it... maybe I'm a secret Brazilian at heart? ;)


Ari (Baking and Books)

Stella said...

Hi patricia!
I've never been really hooked on carrot cakes but yours look ever so yummy!
and oh, the melted chocolate drizzled over makes it even more irresistible..:)

Gattina Cheung said...

Pat, I love your decription on this cake - oragne color! I love simple cakes, but they have to look good too, your recipe just fits the bill!
I don't fancy about the amercian verion (spicy cake + cream cheese frosting), will give your version a try!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Lydia, I'm so glad you like this recipe!! Please, let me know if you make it.

Ellie, it took me a while to make it but I finally did! Tks, darling!

Susan, chocolate is always a plus, isn't it? ;)

Freya, tks for the visit to my blog and for the kind words!

Bea, I know you like carrots!

Tina, my dear, you can see the commotion this recipe has caused here, among my readers - isn't it great? I feel very proud! Beijos!

Kristen, maybe your kids will like it!

Lia, I'm having a blast with your posts about Brazil. I feel honored and happy to know you have these warm feelings for my country.

Jeff, you should give it a try!

Mimi, I believe you're right, my dear. :)

Tatter, my dear friend, I have to say I believe that desserts are always a good way to start anything. ;)

See, Veron?? You encouraged me to make it, I have to thank you for that!

T.W., you wouldn't believe how traditional this cake is here.

Ari, you are very warm and kind - I think there's something Brazilian about you, indeed. ;)

Valentina, thank you!! This chocolate icing is soooo good!

Gattina, my dear, thank you! Maybe you'll like this carrot cake, let me know!

Thank you all for the lovely comments!

MyKitchenInHalfCups said...

Wow, it is so incredible how much the same ingredients can come out with such a very different result.
This is a beautiful carrot cake, worth trying!!

Melting Wok said...

Patricia, I changed my mind bout carrots after looking at your scrumptious carrot chiffon cake, yums !! :)

Anonymous said...

Carrot cake with chocolate?! This looks great. I love carrot cake but with chocolate...Double the fun.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful cake, Patricia! The chocolate icing indeed sounds simple and good. May have to try it on my lemon flaxseed cake sometime.

Linda said...

carrot cake is my favorite and this one looks amazing. please oh please -- send some over!

Patricia Scarpin said...

Tanna, I agree with you - the same ingredients are transformed in something totally different!
Thank you!

Hi, Melting Wok, thanks!! I hope you like it if you try it!

Hello, Steven! Tks for stopping by!
Chocolate will make anything better, don't you think? ;)

Hi, Terry! I'm glad you liked it! Lemon is great with chocolate, too, yum!

Linda, thank you! If I could only find a way to make it arrive safe to New York , I'd send you lots of Brazilian cakes! ;)

Thank you all for the wonderful comments!

christine said...

Wow, this sounds like a wonderful alternative to the usual carrot cake. I am bookmarking this for trying later on.

I'm so happy I found your blog. I'm a big fan of Brazilian food specifically feijoada and pao de queijo but have not made either yet. I'm scared it would not meet my hopes and expectations. hehe But I should really try. Do you have a feijoada recipe you favor?>

The Culinary Chase said...

Wow! This looks scrumptious! Gotta give this one a try! Cheers!

julianaxl said...

patricia, what a lovely blog! congratulations! it's very addictive!

eatme_delicious said...

i've never heard of or seen carrot cake like this but now i must try it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Pat, i want to try your recipe, but I already bought a brown sugar, can I use that instead of sugar? And Is it ok if I greated the carrot ? Thanks Fran

Patricia Scarpin said...

Hi, Fran,
If you grate the carrots and use brown sugar it will not be the same, unfortunately - it will be more like the carrot cakes made in US and Europe. :(

Anonymous said...

Hi Patricia,
I've made this carrot cake last nite. I grated the carrot finely and it comes out ok. This carrot cake taste much better than the american version. How's the texture? Mine's quite heavy.

Anonymous said...

Hi Patricia,
I've made this carrot cake last nite. I grated the carrot finely and it comes out ok. This carrot cake taste much better than the american version. How's the texture? Mine's quite heavy.

lira said...

Beautiful, and it delights...I loved....

Anonymous said...

I'm about to make this recipe after a different Brazilian carrot cake recipe didn't turn out so good. I'm hoping this one will be much more like the Brazilian carrot cake I remember from the time I lived in São Paulo.

Obrigado pela recieta!

Anonymous said...

Ok. I just made this cake, and it was exactly like I remembered it. Thank you! I've spent 10 years wishing I could find this recipe. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!

Anonymous said...

I've been watching your blog for quite some time now (a great way to break up the work day in the office!) and made this cake for dessert when I got home. The batter was fantastic and just as orange as your description; I could barely wait for it to finish baking. I nixed the chocolate sauce, instead dusting my (HUGE) slice with confectioners sugar and it was heaven!

Rita. said...

Hey,ur carrot cake luks amazing n tempting..M going to try it right away..Jst wanted to clarify..i think tht by mistake u hav mentioned 1 tablespoon of baking powder..or is it correct..pls lt me know.thnks 4 posting all lovely recipies.

Patricia Scarpin said...

Hi, Rita,
It's correct, 1 tablespoon baking powder.
Hope you enjoy it!

Rita. said...

Thnks alot dear for ur prompt reply..Earlier i had tried a carrot cake which called for grated carrots n wasnt that gr8..My husband said that it was not at all close to a lovely carrot cake he hd tasted somewhere, wh also had som chocolate cream/sauce..M sure he mst have tasted d brazillian style carrot cake..Im excited to try it soon n let u know abt it..Thnks again :-)

Rita. said...

Thnks alot dear for ur prompt reply..Earlier i had tried a carrot cake which called for grated carrots n wasnt that gr8..My husband said that it was not at all close to a lovely carrot cake he hd tasted somewhere, wh also had som chocolate cream/sauce..M sure he mst have tasted d brazillian style carrot cake..Im excited to try it soon n let u know abt it..Thnks again :-)

Rita said...

I jst made this cake n it came out v.well..It tastes gr8 n d orange hue to d cake luks amazing..I loved it:-)

Rebecca said...

I found your blog and this recipe and had to try the cake. It is delicious, we all enjoy it. AND my brazilian housekeeper gave it her seal of appoval :)

Patricia Scarpin said...

Hi, Rebecca!
Thank you so much for your comment - I'm so glad to hear the cake turned out fine! And approved by a Brazilian?? Perfection!
Thanks for letting me know!

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Patricia,
Boy am I glad I stumbled upon your blog while in search of recipes to celebrate Carrot Cake Day on my blog. Everything looks so delicious. I found you through my Hospitality search engine. My guess is, I was here before, didn't have time to stay, and put your link in the engine. I bet your in my bookmarks too. I dislike when links get lost in bookmarks. Anyway, I found you now!!!

I was wondering, I'm thinking about doing a sort of carrot cake recipe round-up for Carrot Cake Day Feb. 3, 2010. How would you feel about me "grabbing" you picture and linking it to your post?

I've never experienced Brazilian Carrot Cake but from the rave reviews, it sure seems like I better:) Thank you so much for sharing...

Patricia Scarpin said...

Dear Louise, I'm glad you found your way back to the blog - thank you for stopping by!
I'd be honored to have my cake being part of your lovely event - thank you for asking!

~~louise~~ said...

Hi Patricia, the Carrot Cake Day post is up and your cake looks fabulous!!! Thanks again, I'm off to see what you're cookin today!!!

Anonymous said...

made the cake and it turned out AMAZING!!! my family loved it!

Anonymous said...

I right away bookmarked it! thanx for sharing it

Patricia Scarpin said...

I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you for letting me know how the cake turned out for you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Patricia,

I baked this cake today. It is lovely. It is delicately flavored with a nice, tender texture. I would never have thought of pairing carrots and chocolate, but I'm glad I did. I mixed mine in my food processor as I didn't think my blender could hold that much batter. They must make blenders bigger in Brazil.

My husband and our Airbnb guest really liked this cake.

Thank you so very much for sharing so many wonderful recipes. You're the best of the best.

Yours,

Ellen

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