Carrot Pine Nut Cake From Parma Recipes

PARMA-STYLE CARROT CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
• Place the pine nuts, 1/2 cup sugar, and fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse to mince the nuts. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and the carrots. Pulse to mince the carrots. Add the mascarpone cheese and pulse until the cheese is incorporated.
• In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, until well blended.
• Add the carrot mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined. Add in the reserved dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
• Place the mixture in a lightly greased and floured 8 by 10 by-2-inch baking dish. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
• Let the cake cool for 1 hour, then dust with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and serve.

CARROT-PINE NUT CAKE FROM PARMA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• In a medium bowl sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
• Place the pine nuts, 1/2 cup sugar, and fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse to mince the nuts. Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and the carrots (easily shredded with the food processor attachment). Pulse to mince the carrots. Add the mascarpone cheese and pulse until the cheese is incorporated. If you can't find mascarpone, cream cheese is a good substitute.
• In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well between adding each additional egg.
• Add the carrot mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined. Add in 1/3 of the reserved dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated. Add the rest in thirds the same way.
• Place the mixture in a lightly greased and floured 8 by 10 by-2-inch baking dish. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Giada filled a cupcake-paper-lined muffin tin 3/4 full each, and baked for 18-20 minutes for individual portions.
• Let the bread/cake cool for 1 hour, then dust with powdered sugar. Cut into squares and serve.