Celebrate Carrot Cake Day (recipe included)

 One of my dad's favorite treats to enjoy was a slice of carrot cake with that yummy white cream cheese icing. February 3rd is carrot day but how did that occur?? It seems as if carrot cake may have been here a long time perhaps dating back to medieval times. As it has been suggested before when sugar was nonexistent, and the sweet tooth was many would turn to sweet veggies to enjoy a treat. Europeans had developed during the Middle Ages a carrot soup that was very much like stuffed peppers that offered a sweet taste. In fact, it is suggested that prior to George Washington becoming president he may have enjoyed his own carrot soup. However, time goes by and as we all know things change this time the recipe of carrot cake would appear in a French cookbook. 

But how and where did the carrot come from in the beginning?? Ancient carrots were available in a great range of colors including black, white, red and purple. The orange carrot was not an original and came about only as a tribute to the ruling family the House of Orange. 

Ancient carrots ranged from black, white, red and purple but it was only in the 17th century that the orange carrot was cultivated - as a tribute to the ruling House of Orange. The orange carrot did gain popularity vote across Europe and would soon become the one that all wanted. The carrot would gain popularity in America only after our soldiers returned from WWI and with them some carrots. 

Perhaps the carrot cake offers a bit more nutrition to the eater as it is truly a veggie. The sugar and other ingredients are still there so who knows may be it is better but maybe not The best thing to do is try your own. Here is an easy carrot cake recipe that you can enjoy and share with others as well. 

2 cups white sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 ½ cups vegetable oil

4 eggs

3 cups grated carrots

1 cup chopped walnuts

1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese

¼ cup heavy whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ½ cups sifted confectioners' sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 or 10 inch tube pan.

2. Combine the sugar, flour, salt, cinnamon, soda, oil. With an electric mixer beat in the eggs one at a time. Stir in the carrots and the walnuts. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour 20 minutes. Note: this cake can be made in two 9 inch layer cake pans just change the baking time to 40 minutes.

4. To Make Frosting: With an electric mixer blend the cream cheese and cream. Add the vanilla and confectioners' sugar. Frosting can be spread and a still warm cake.

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