Finely grated carrots give the cake a moist crumb, while brown sugar adds sweetness. Delia Smith Carrot Cake Recipe is covered with a smooth cream cheese topping after the cake has cooled.
Ingredients
- 225g self-raising flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon mixed spice
- 175g soft brown sugar
- 150ml sunflower oil
- 3 large eggs
- 225g carrots, finely grated
- 50g walnuts, chopped
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Topping
- 200g cream cheese
- 50g butter, softened
- 100g icing sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Delia Smith Carrot Cake
Step 1
Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a round cake tin and line the base with baking parchment.
Sift the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and mixed spice into a large bowl. Stir in the brown sugar.
Beat the eggs, sunflower oil and vanilla extract in a separate bowl. Pour the egg mixture into the flour and stir until the ingredients are combined.
Step 2
Add the finely grated carrots and chopped walnuts to the batter. Fold them through until the carrots and walnuts are evenly distributed.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared cake tin. Smooth the surface with the back of a spoon.
Bake for 35–45 minutes. Insert a skewer into the centre of the cake. The skewer should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 3
Leave the cake in the tin for 10 minutes. Turn it onto a wire rack and leave it until completely cool.
Beat the softened butter until smooth. Add the cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla extract. Mix until the topping is smooth and thick.
Spread the topping over the cooled cake. Refrigerate the finished cake until ready to serve.
What to Serve With Delia Smith Carrot Cake
Serve thin slices with tea or coffee. The sweet cake and tangy cream cheese topping are enough for an afternoon serving without another dessert.
For a plated dessert, add a small spoonful of whipped cream beside the cake. A few chopped walnuts can be scattered over the cream cheese topping for extra crunch.
Delia Smith Carrot Cake Nutrition Information
The nutritional value changes with the size of the slices and the amount of cream cheese topping used. One average slice contains approximately:
- Calories: 380–430 kcal
- Protein: 5–6g
- Carbohydrates: 45–50g
- Fat: 22–25g
- Sugar: 30–35g
These figures are estimates.
FAQs
Should the carrots be finely grated?
Yes. Fine grating spreads the carrot through the cake and releases moisture during baking.
Can I leave out the walnuts?
Yes. The cake can be made without walnuts. Removing them gives the sponge a softer texture.
How can I tell when the cake is baked?
Insert a skewer into the centre. The cake is ready when the skewer comes out clean or has a few moist crumbs attached.
Why should the cake cool before adding the topping?
A warm cake will soften the cream cheese mixture. Allow the cake to cool completely so the topping stays thick when spread over the surface.
How should carrot cake be stored?
Keep the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator because the topping contains cream cheese. Let a slice sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.