Enjoy this flavorful and healthier carrot cake with walnuts, ginger, and chia, a delicious treat for both kids and adults, great for every day or any occasion.
You will need 3 cake tins of approximately 20 cm (approx 8 in) which will need lining or greasing.
Preheat the oven to 170°C or 325°F or Gas Mark 3.
In a freestanding electric mixer (attach paddle) put the sugar and eggs. Mix for 3-4 min and then drizzle the oil little by a little while still mixing until it all incorporates.
In a separate bowl mix the flour with soda bicarbonate, baking powder, cider vinegar, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and vanilla extract or vanilla sugar. Add this slowly (spoon by spoon) to the egg mixture and continue to mix well until it becomes homogenized.
Put in the grated carrots and the chia seeds and with a spatula fold this well into the mixture. You can now put some chopped nuts as well if you want or you can leave those for decoration only, it is up to you.
Pour in the mixture into the three prepared cake tins and level it at the surface.
Bake the cakes in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until it becomes all nice and golden brown on the surface and the sponge bounces back when you touch it.
Allow the cakes to cool completely and then when they are cold put one sponge on the cake stand and then spread about a quarter of the cheese cream frosting over it with a knife. Place the second cake on top and spread another quarter of the frosting over it and then top the cake with a third sponge. Spread the remaining frosting over and go on the sides as well finishing the frosting all over the surface of the cake.
Decorate the cake with the walnuts and a light sprinkle of cinnamon but you can also put some nuts inside the cake if you fancy.
For the frosting:
Beat the icing sugar and the butter together in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment or simply use an electric whisker until the mixture comes together and it is well mixed.
Add the cream cheese in one go and beat it until it's completely incorporated.
Put in the double cream the crème fraîche and the lemon juice and bit further on a medium-high speed until the frosting is light fluffy and firm; it should be at around 4 min. Do not overbeat as this can quickly become runny.
Notes
You can substitute the carrots with beetroot, butternut squash, or courgette/zucchini. I have made it a few times and it's gorgeous.