Carrot Cake

Cakes like this carrot cake or banana bread are different from most cakes in that they call for
oil, rather than butter. While the oil doesn’t contribute much flavor, especially if you use vegetable oil, it does allow you to serve the cakes cold without them hardening, as they would if they were made with butter. Grate the carrot on the finest holes of a box grater that won’t turn it to mush, or use the finest grater
attachment on your food processor.

MAKES ONE 9-BY-5-INCH OR 8½-BY-4½-INCH (1 QUART) LOAF CAKE

   Cake :

• Room-temperature butter and flour for preparing pan
• ⅔ cup flour
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil, hazelnut oil, or walnut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ½ cup chopped, drained pineapple
• 1 cup finely grated carrot (from about 1 large carrot)

   Cream Cheese Frosting :

• One 8-ounce package cream cheese
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups confectioners’ sugar

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-by-5-inch or 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan. Coat the pan with flour,
tapping out the excess. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, baking powder,
spices, and salt, and then sift them into a second bowl to make sure the spices are well combined. In a
small bowl, whisk together the oil and eggs until blended, and then stir the egg mixture into the flour
with a rubber spatula. Fold in the walnuts, pineapple, and grated carrot. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula.

Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool until easy to
handle, and turn out onto a cake rack.

While the cake is cooling, make the frosting. In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, vanilla, and
confectioners’ sugar. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat on
medium speed until well combined and fluffy, about 10 minutes or until smooth. Spread the frosting on
the top of the loaf.