Carrot cake is a classic dessert that can be enjoyed any time of the year. Nigella Lawson's recipe for carrot cake is a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe that is perfect for beginners. This recipe is moist, flavorful, and comes with a creamy frosting that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. In this article, we will go over the ingredients, instructions, and nutrition of Nigella Lawson's carrot cake recipe.
Ingredients
For the cake, you will need: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 2 teaspoons baking powder - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 1/3 cups light brown sugar - 4 large eggs - 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil - 3 cups grated carrots - 1 cup walnuts, chopped For the frosting, you will need: - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened - 8 oz cream cheese, softened - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper. 2. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. 3. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and eggs until pale and fluffy. 4. Slowly pour in the vegetable oil while whisking continuously. 5. Add in the dry ingredients, a little at a time, whisking until just combined. 6. Fold in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed. 7. Divide the batter between the two prepared cake pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. 8. Bake the cakes for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. 9. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. 10. While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting. In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. 11. Add in the vanilla extract and powdered sugar, whisking until the frosting is smooth and creamy. 12. Once the cakes have cooled completely, place one cake on a cake stand or plate. 13. Spread a thick layer of frosting over the top of the cake. 14. Place the second cake on top of the frosting and press down gently. 15. Spread another layer of frosting over the top of the second cake. 16. Use a spatula to smooth the frosting over the sides of the cake, covering it completely. 17. Decorate the top of the cake with chopped walnuts or fresh flowers. 18. Chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
This recipe makes a 2-layer 8-inch cake that serves 12 people. Each serving contains approximately: - 606 calories - 39g fat - 35g carbohydrates - 4g protein
Conclusion
Nigella Lawson's carrot cake recipe is a delicious and easy-to-follow recipe that is perfect for any occasion. With its moist and flavorful layers and creamy frosting, it is sure to please any sweet tooth. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned baker, this recipe is a must-try. So go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy a slice of homemade carrot cake!
Brownies are a classic dessert that everyone loves. They are fudgy, chocolatey, and delicious. Nigella Lawson, a famous British chef and food writer, has a recipe for brownies that is simply irresistible. Her recipe is easy to follow, and the result is a perfect balance of gooeyness and cakey texture. In this article, we will guide you through the steps of making Nigella's brownies recipe and give you some tips and tricks to make them even more delicious.
Ingredients
To make Nigella's brownies, you will need the following ingredients: - 1 2/3 cups of sugar - 1 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour - 3/4 cup of cocoa powder - 1/2 teaspoon of salt - 1 cup of butter (2 sticks) - 4 large eggs - 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract - 1 1/4 cups of chocolate chips
Sugar
The sugar is an essential ingredient in this recipe as it adds sweetness and texture to the brownies. You can use either granulated sugar or caster sugar. Caster sugar is finer than granulated sugar and dissolves more easily, which makes it great for baking.
Flour
All-purpose flour is the best choice for this recipe as it has a moderate protein content that will give the brownies structure without making them too dense.
Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is the star of this recipe as it provides the chocolate flavor. You can use either natural or Dutch-processed cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder has been treated with an alkalizing agent that makes it less acidic and darker in color.
Salt
Salt enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness of the sugar.
Butter
Butter adds richness and moisture to the brownies. You can use unsalted or salted butter, depending on your preference. If you use salted butter, reduce the amount of salt in the recipe.
Eggs
Eggs are the binding agent in this recipe that hold the brownies together. Make sure to use large eggs at room temperature.
Vanilla Extract
Vanilla extract adds depth and complexity to the brownies' flavor. You can use either pure or imitation vanilla extract.
Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips add pockets of melted chocolate to the brownies, making them even more decadent. You can use semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, depending on your preference.
Instructions
Now that we have all the ingredients let's move on to the instructions.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and salt until well combined.
Step 3: Melt the Butter
In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until fully melted.
Step 4: Add the Eggs and Vanilla Extract
Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the melted butter and whisk until well combined.
Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Step 6: Add the Chocolate Chips
Fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula until evenly distributed.
Step 7: Bake the Brownies
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
Let the brownies cool completely in the pan before removing them using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares and serve.
Nutrition
Here is the approximate nutrition information for one serving of Nigella's brownies recipe (assuming 16 servings per recipe): - Calories: 340 - Fat: 18g - Saturated Fat: 11g - Cholesterol: 90mg - Sodium: 170mg - Carbohydrates: 45g - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 33g - Protein: 4g
Tips and Tricks
- Use high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate chips for the best flavor. - Do not overmix the batter as it can make the brownies tough. - Let the brownies cool completely before cutting them to avoid crumbling. - You can add chopped nuts, dried fruits, or other flavorings to the batter for variation. - Store the brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. - Serve the brownies warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
Conclusion
Nigella's brownies recipe is a must-try for all chocolate lovers. It is easy to make and yields a rich, fudgy, and decadent dessert. Follow our instructions and tips to make the perfect batch of brownies that will impress your family and friends. Enjoy!
Christmas is fast approaching, and it's time to start thinking about what to bake for the holiday season. One of the best things about Christmas is the abundance of delicious treats that can be made in the kitchen. One such treat is Nigella Christmas biscuits, a recipe that is both simple and delicious.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make Nigella Christmas biscuits:
250g unsalted butter
200g caster sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
400g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
Now that you have all of the ingredients, let's get started with the recipe:
Preheat your oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
Sift in the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and spices.
Mix until you have a dough.
Divide the dough into two and wrap each half in clingfilm.
Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of about 5mm.
Cut out your desired shapes using cookie cutters.
Place the biscuits on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 8-12 minutes until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutrition
Here are the nutrition facts for Nigella Christmas biscuits:
Serving size: 1 biscuit
Calories: 120
Total fat: 6g
Saturated fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg
Sodium: 50mg
Total carbohydrate: 15g
Dietary fiber: 0g
Total sugars: 8g
Protein: 1g
Tips and Variations
Here are some tips and variations to help you make the perfect Nigella Christmas biscuits:
If you don't have all of the spices listed in the recipe, you can substitute them with mixed spice.
If you want to make the biscuits more festive, you can add some red or green food coloring to the dough.
You can also add some chopped nuts or dried fruit to the dough before baking for some extra flavor and texture.
Try decorating the biscuits with icing or sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
Store the biscuits in an airtight container for up to a week.
Conclusion
Nigella Christmas biscuits are a delicious and easy treat to make during the holiday season. With their warm spices and buttery flavor, they're sure to be a hit with your friends and family. So why not give this recipe a try and add some festive cheer to your baking?