Carrot Cake Recipe

I love carrot cake, and with this simple recipe so will you.

Ingredients 
250g self-raising flour
2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
400g caster sugar
350ml vegetable oil
350g grated carrot
optional
120g chopped walnuts

Icing 
140g soft margarine (I use dairy free)
350g icing sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract/flavouring

Method

• Preheat the oven to 180C/ gas mark 4 and grease 2, 20cm cake tins.
• In a big bowl, stir together all the dry ingredients (self-raising flour, cinnamon and sugar)
• In a separate bowl beat the oil and eggs together, until combined.
• Slowly mix the eggs and oil into the flour, sugar and cinnamon until smooth and combined fully. 
• Then add the grated carrot to the mixture, and mix until smooth and fully combined. 
• Once the mixture is combined, divide equally into the 2 cake tins. 
• Bake for 25-30 mins in the preheated oven. Test the cake with a skewer and if it comes out clean it is baked
• Once the cake is baked, leave to cool in the tins, once fully cooled removes from tins.
• Whilst cake is cooling, make the icing.
• simply mix the margarine, icing sugar and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. 
• Once the cakes are cool, layer the cakes, with a layer of icing in-between each layer.
• Top with a thin layer of icing and serve.... with a cup of tea is advised
• Enjoy

 

The finished product

little discalmer... this is my finished cake it is a lovely picture courtesy of Google Images... I have lost the picture of the cake I have made! Silly me. Sorry... Nevertheless the cake was amazing and didn't last long in my house as it was eaten so quickly.

I hope you try this very simple recipe.

Love yah
IsThataRedHerring

A little bit of sun makes the world of difference.

For the past couple of days the weather here in the UK has been lovely, Reaching low 20C which is crazy. The tiniest bit of sun and we are all in shorts and vests, myself included. We do not know how long this sun will last so lets make the most of it.

Okay, it sucks that I am stuck in doors most of the day doing uni work, but I have the nice breeze coming through the door, some good music playing and a smile on my face. The past couple of weeks have been really great for me; and this weather is really helping. It's amazing how a little thing can make a big different.

I spent the day yesterday relaxing in the sun with one of my best friends, we did a bit of shopping followed by a spot of lunch in the sun by the canal. It was perfect. Those are the days I want more of. It allows me to forget about the crappy times, days like that make me remember what I do have in my life. Great friends and family with a a bright future.

So thank you British weather, the sun is what we all needed.

Love yah

IsThataRedHerring

I am quite British...

There is a tag currently on YouTube about how British do you think you are, and you know what I am proud to be typically British and this is why:

How many cups of tea do you have in a day?
I think I drink between 3-4 cups of tea a day, normally I drink Earl Grey Tea as it is my favourite flavour, Although I drink more if my housemate happens to be making tea as well, it's just rude not to have one if she is.

What is your favourite part of a roast?
I think I have to say either roast potatoes (especially if my mum has made them) or stuffing. They always make a good roast... Also just a note, I have to have a roast at least once a week.

Favourite dunking biscuit? 
I think mine has to be a dark chocolate digestive biscuit, classic and perfect for dunking.

Favourite quintessentially British pass-time? 
Is is either Doctor Who because I am a massive DW fan or sitting down and watching all the soaps with my mum such as Corrie, Hollyoaks and Emmerdale.

Favourite typical British word?
I think Blimey or Gosh are amazingly British words, I often say 'Oh Blimey' which means I don't believe it or shocked (if you didn't already know), gosh also means shocked.

Favourite British phrase or saying?
I use the phrase 'Not to be funny but...' or 'I don't mean to be rude...' I don't know why I use them all the time, its basically to make a less direct insult. (sorry)

Favourite sweet?
I love pear drops or jelly tots that are typically British, childhood right there.

What would your pub be called?
I reckon I would choose a classic British phrase, which would be 'let's have a knee's up'. Which in England means let's get drunk or have a few drinks, ideal for a pub I reckon.

Number one British person?
I cannot choose between Stephen Fry and Ian McKellen, they are both wonderful men, that have brought such joy into my life. Through acting and love, they are amazing role models and great people, wonderful people to admire.

Favourite shop or restaurant?
Favourite shop is Waterstones, because of my love for books, I can spend hours just looking at books, I do love that new book smell.
Favourite restaurant is Nandos and I am not ashamed at all to admit that, I am a Nandos addict.

What British song pops into your head? 
Steps, 5,6,7,8.. my favourite childhood band.

I know this blog wasn't the most exciting but this week has been a bit of a roller-coaster for me, I will be posting another this weekend.

Love yah

IsThataRedHerring

ps
I tag Chelsey in my post to do the 'How British are you?' tag