Carrot cake

Instructions

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, fan 160°c, gas mark 4. Grease and line a 2.5lb loaf tin.
2. Sift the flour and baking powder together. Add the cinnamon, cardamom and zest of ½ an orange and stir in.
3. Using a stand mixer or a handheld electric hand whisk, beat together the butter and sugar, scraping down the side of the bowl occasionally, until combined, light and creamy. It will look as if the mixture curdles at first but keep going for a minimum of 5 mins. Gradually add the egg, beating well after each addition.
4. Add the flour mixture and mix briefly until just combined. Fold in the carrots and apple so it’s evenly distributed. Pour into the loaf tin, transfer to the oven, and bake for 1hr and 10 mins until browned on top and when a skewer is inserted, comes out with just a few wet crumbs. Place the loaf tin on a wire rack and leave until completely cooled.
5. Once the cake is cool, start on the frosting. Beat the Philadelphia and icing sugar together with the tsp of orange juice. Spread over the top of the cake and sprinkle over the ½ tsp orange zest. Serve.