Citrus Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Oranges {the best ever cake}

I like to get presents. Who doesn't? But I like to give presents more. I think a gift can tell about the person even more that his/her deeds. Present is a mirror of  relationships, it shows the attitude and reveals the feelings. It doesn't matter what the price is. Some gifts are priceless and cost nothing, as much as there are costly and fancy presents, that do not mean anything and have no special significance. 

I strongly believe, it is all about the attitude. When looking for a present, first of all I try to change places with the present-taker, to think what he/she would really like to get. And sometimes it can be a difficult task! Especially when you know the person for ages, it seems that all conceivable and inconceivable presents had been made. However  every year presents from such people become more dear. How is that possible? The more close the person is, the more valuable is the present.  If you give a little piece of yourself with the present, it will never be left unnoticeable!

I am lucky. My family and dearest friends have always amazed me ! Not even with the presents, but with their presentations. They can always make me feel special, create a little fairy tail . Heap of balloons, confetti and happy birthday party banners all over the apartment. Hidden present, that I was to find in a hanging honeycomb in a  doorway of my room.  The real present is when one lends soul to make it. 

So, why did I start that talk about presents? The other day my mom had birthday, and this year I wanted to make it especial. I feel that as I grow up , my relationship with mom changes. She becomes more like a friend, best friend. I wish everyone to have such a relationship with mom as I have, really. She is my everything. Now I realize, that she would give everything to me,  and I wanted to show her all my love in this cake. And I think this is the best cake I ever made. Because it is for the dearest person in this world. Happy Birthday, mom!

Notes

• I for the first time I replaced part of the oil with apple sauce in the cake batter. And I have to say it makes such a difference! Really, cake texture is lighter. And what is more important, you cut half of the fats. Actually, any fat can be substituted in most of the recipes with apple sauce  in ratio 1:1 (e.g. 100 ml oil = 100 ml apple sauce, 200 ml butter = 200 ml apple sauce). But remember, that you can not exclude fat completely.
• Curd recipe makes around 400 ml. For the cake you don’t need that much. And actually, if you don’t have much time, you can leave it out from the cake. But in case you skip this step, I’ll cry for you, because curd adds very refreshing flavor and brings the whole cake together. But it is up to you, I don’t insist.
• Curd can be stored in a fridge for up to 2 weeks or even frozen. There are so many options where it can be used. Lots of pastries, as a topping for pancakes, scones, buns, crepes, ice cream, yogurt…shall I continue? Actually, you can serve this cake with it! It won’t stay too long in your fridge.

Citrus Carrot Cake 

with Cream Cheese Frosting and Candied Oranges 

makes 3-layer 8-inch cake

for the cake

300 g (1 1/2 cup) sugar

180 ml (3/4 cup) vegetable oil

4 big eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

250 g (2 cups)  flour

2 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

150 ml (2/3 cup) apple sauce

300 g carrot, finely grated

100 g (1 cup) walnuts, finely chopped

for citrus curd

½ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ cup sugar

3 eggs

30g butter

for candied oranges
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 large navel orange, thinly sliced

for cream cheese frosting
175 g butter, softened
175 g cream cheese, cold
200 g powdered sugar
1 whole vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds removed

To make the cake

Preheat oven to 350F (175°C). Butter and dust with flour three 8-inch (21 cm) round pans. Tap out the excess flour and line each pan with baking paper.

Beat sugar and oil with a hand of stand mixer. Beat in eggs, one at a time.

In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Sift into the batter and mix until combined.  Mix in apple sauce, carrot and walnuts.

Dived batter between the pans. Bake for 45 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in a pan for 20 minutes, than invert onto the wire rack and let cool completely before decorating.

To make citrus curd

Mix eggs and sugar in a large bowl, just until combined. Heat juice in a saucepan on a medium-high heat, but do not bring to a boil. In a steady stream pour juice in the sugar-eggs mixture, constantly stirring, to prevent it from curdling. Pour in a saucepan and return on a medium-high heat. Cook until curd becomes thick, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter and stir well, until the butter is dissolved completely. Pour into the jar. Store in the fridge up to a 2 weeks. 

To male candied oranges

In a large skillet bring  water and sugar to the boil. Add the orange slices and simmer over medium heat, turning occasionally, until the liquid is reduced to a thin syrup and the oranges are soft, about 20 minutes.
Let cool on a wire rack lined with  parchment paper. 

To make cream cheese frosting

Beat butter until pale, about 2 minutes. Add powdered sugar in two batches, mixing well after each, and continue beating until frosting is very pale and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add cream cheese and beat until just smooth. Add vanilla bean seeds and mix until thoroughly combined.

To assemble the cake

If cake layers are domed, cut the tops with a serrated knife. Put the first cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a thin layer of citrus curd (~3 tsp), than spread a layer of cream cheese frosting. Repeat the same steps with the two other cake layers,  but on the top layer use only cream cheese frosting.  You have to end up with 2 curd layers and 3 cream cheese layers. Spread  the remaining cream cheese frosting thinly all over the cake to make a crumb coat. Put in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to set. Decorate with candied oranges. Serve with citrus curd if desired.