As I was looking through my mom’s recipe box for Christmas baking ideas, I came across one of my carrot cake recipes I had given her long ago. It was for a Whole Wheat Carrot Cake except mom had written Whole Wheat Carrott Cake. For whatever reason my well-read, very intelligent, great speller mom had the habit of giving carrots two T’s. We used to laugh about it whenever we came across her misspelling in other recipes that included carrots.
As I was watching one of the many Christmas movies that run all through December, imagine my surprise when one of them had a scene in a bakery with some of their baked offerings for cookies and cakes and there was Carrott! So my mom wasn’t the only one who spelled it wrong. She would have laughed and loved it.
But no matter how it was spelled by mom, this carrot cake is truly delicious. You would think a cake with all whole wheat flour would be too dense or dry, but this cake is so nice and moist that it doesn’t even need that heavy cream cheese frosting; just a sprinkling of powdered sugar is perfect.
Call it carrot or carrott, it’s all good. The cake actually gets even better as it sits so make it at least a day ahead of time then enjoy nibbling on it here and there for several days.
- 1 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ⅓ cup nonfat dry milk powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3 cups finely shredded whole carrots (do not use pre-shredded carrots)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 12-inch Bundt pan or 10-inch tube pan; set aside.
- In large bowl of electric mixer blend oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on low speed until mixed. Add vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In another bowl stir together flour, milk powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to egg mixture and mix until well blended. By hand, stir in carrots and walnuts. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until cake tests done. (start checking at 35 minutes).
- Cool in pan 20-25 minutes then invert onto serving plate. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
- Cake can be served the same day but gets even better the next day and will last, covered, for at least 4 days.
This sounds so good any way you spell carrot cake is yummy. AND a plus today I have every ingredient it calls for.
thank you for sharing
hugs and blessings
I hope you like it, Elaine, especially since you are the master baker!
I’m going to give this recipe a try later today. I love the way “Carrott” on tv triggered such a lovely memory. Your mom is shining down on you ❤️
I agree, Lisa. That was the first thing I thought of when seeing it in the movie. Mom is always with me.
I can hear your Mother’s laugh as I read this. She had a great smile and laugh. What a great story and memory. Your writings bring back so many wonderful memories of sitting in your kitchen with all of the great smells as your mother and Grandma Lamb prepared meals.
They always fill my heart with love.
Linda, we were so fortunate to have been able to share our moms growing up.
Love your heartwarming memory triggered by a Christmas movie. It is a wonderful time of year for family memories & those favorite family recipes are the best. Can’t wait to try the carrot cake recipe; & I hope you enjoy every bite, down to the last nibble.
Thanks, Kim. Between here and Kristina’s house, the cake is gone. It made a good football treat for the guys!