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I’m having my cake

    Today is my birthday. And according to Wikipedia, it is the birthday of 698,999 other Americans too. October 5th {the most common birthdate} happens to fall 40 weeks after New Years Eve, so I guess it makes sense that all that lovin’ on New Years turns into babes 10 months later. 

    I don’t really like to make a big deal about my own birthday, but I do like carrot cake and so I decided to make myself one.  I’m going to try not to eat the whole thing {it really is that good}.

    The recipe is below {from Ina Garten – my fave}, and the ingredients made for a cute photo.

    carrot-cake-ingredients

    frosting-ingredients

    But the very best part is the finished product.

    carrot cake whole

    carrot cake slice

    carrot cake

    My auntie made this recipe last week for my cousin’s bridal shower and it is truly the most delicious carrot cake I have ever had.  My version turned out pretty well too.  If you are a carrot cake lover, add this one to you must-try-list.

    Carrot and Pineapple Cake {Ina Garten, All Rights Reserved}

    INGREDIENTS

    For the cake:
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • 1 1/3 cups vegetable oil
    • 3 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 cup raisins
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts
    • 1 pound carrots, grated
    • 1/2 cup diced fresh pineapple
    For the frosting:
    • 3/4 pound cream cheese, at room temperature
    • 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted
    DIRECTIONS

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

    Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

    For the cake:

    Beat the sugar, oil, and eggs together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light yellow. Add the vanilla. In another bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups flour, the cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.

    Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Toss the raisins and walnuts with 1 tablespoon flour. Fold in the carrots and pineapple. Add to the batter and mix well.

    Divide the batter equally between the 2 pans. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans set over a wire rack.

    For the frosting:

    Mix the cream cheese, butter and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until just combined. Add the sugar and mix until smooth.

    Place 1 layer, flat-side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.

    125 thoughts on “I’m having my cake”

    1. Meghan Cowart
      Reply

      I can’t tell you enough how inspiring your blog is to me. I check your blog at least once a day and am always impressed by your new ideas from clothes, home decor and of course your great prints. I have bought two of them and plan on buying many more. Thank you again for inspiring me.

    2. Arrica M
      Reply

      I actually made this the day after I saw it on your blog… OMGoodness! It was so yummy. I was thankful we had company coming, I didn’t want to have to fight the temptation of eating it all on my own! It served the 8 of us and all of our guests. It doesn’t take a big slice to satisfy. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    4. Samantha
      Reply

      I never knew that about October 5th. Well happy birthday! Oh, and carrot cake is my favorite I’ve been looking for a good recipet and can’t wait to try it out.

    7. Amanda
      Reply

      Happy belated birthday! That carrot cake recipe looks almost like my mom’s, except hers calls for coconut (and no raisins), but it is just the best carrot cake ever!

    8. Annie
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily! Many happy returns of your day (even if I’m a day late).
      I subscribe to your blog because I’m a fellow graphic designer and I admire your style. You are so elegant chic with your designs. And a fun blogger. I like the way you styled your recipe on this blog post. And you are right, you may be on to something here, you could see these for wall art. It’s very unique and unusual. I’ve never seen wall art recipes before. People’s favorite recipes could become wall art in their kitchen. Hmmm I may be on to something here. I’m always excited to promote other artists/designer’s work. And to support other designers so I’m going to be buying something from your shop very soon. It’s kind of cool to have something in real life made by a blogger you admire. Well, I’ve gone on and on and wanted to give you a big “high five” for having such a sweet, informative and inspiring blog! Cheers.

    11. Barbara
      Reply

      Happy Birthday, Emily!
      I love the font you used for the headline in your photos. Do you know how it is called? Thx. Barbara

    15. Ayme Frykman
      Reply

      Hi Emily….so much fun to read that today is your birthday because it is my birthday too! I had no idea it is the most common birthday….My mom called me this morning to say Happy Birthday and told me it was your birthday too.
      Glad to know she is following your blog as well. We are huge Ina Garten fans and my mom has made the carrot cake, wish she was closer and we could make one together. Just a funny thing….but I have red hair too, 4 girls and one little boy! God Bless

    19. emily
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily. Hope your day was as special as you are! Thanks for being a blessing to those of us who enjoy your blog.

    24. Stephanie
      Reply

      Happy Birthday & Thank you! I started searching on pinterest earlier to find a recipe for the huge amount of carrots one of my coworkers brought in today… your timing could not be more perfect!

    28. Andrea
      Reply

      How funny is that! All that New Year’s lovin’! I personally know three other people who have birthdays today, too. Happy Birthday, girly! Hope you enjoy your day!

    31. Melissa M
      Reply

      there is a yard flocked with pink flamingos 2 doors down (yes, our favorite babysitter shares your FIREWORKS birthday too!!) happy day to you and enjoy your cake. i can taste it just looking at your photo. ina’s the BEST in desserts. her coconut cupcakes are seriously heaven in a pretty paper cup!

    35. Nora
      Reply

      Happy Birthday! I love carrot cake, but I have never tried to make one. My Granny baked lots of cakes from scratch, and this was one of them. Mother used mixes more than anything, and one Christmas my Daddy asked Granny to please bake him a Carrot Cake. Her response was “I’ll bake you one, but you’ve got to grate the carrots.” He did.

    36. kirbie
      Reply

      Happy Birthday! I believe Wikipedia…I know 2 more October 5th birthdays! Enjoy the cake it looks awesome. Cream cheese frosting is the absolute best ever.

    39. Kylie Wilshaw
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily! Hope you have a wonderful day. I love Carrot Cake too but will have to adjust your recipe as I can’t eat raisins (When I was little my mum jokingly told me they were dead flies and I haven’t eaten one since!).

    40. Ellie
      Reply

      Happy birthday from one October 5th baby to another! I’ve never shared my birthday with a classmate or a friend, but I somehow feel the need to quiz my parents on what they were doing on New Year’s Eve in 1975. Or not!

    42. Krystel
      Reply

      No wonder I love your site. I’m an October girl too. My birthday is the 14. Hope you had an awesome birthday and thanks for the recipe I love carrot cake too.

    44. Alima
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily! I hope you have a fabulous day!! :)
      And I love your picture of your ingredients! So cute! I love to bake, but my ingredients never look that cute when I am getting them all ready :)

    45. Alis in Wnderlnd
      Reply

      I am totally going to try this recipe! Thank you for sharing it. My daughter is allergic to tree nuts, so I will omit that. Carrot cake is my favorite cake after cheesecake, but I never make it or order it since my daughter can’t have it. I love a good homemade version I can safely tweak.

      Happy Birthday! This was my son’s due date, but he was born on September 28th instead. Interesting that is the most popular bday–we conceived him via IVF and the transfer was not near New Year’s but on SuperBowl Sunday!

    47. Cyndia
      Reply

      Happy Birthday, fellow Libra! Mine is October 13, and I ALWAYS celebrate mine with the same thing, CARROT CAKE! I had not tried Ina’s yet, but will definitely do so…next week!
      Hope you have a very special day!

    52. Cindy
      Reply

      Happy, happy birthday! Hope your day is just all sunshine and roses.

      Thank you for sharing this recipe. My Mom used to have a pineapple, carrot cake recipe that I’ve lost and so has she. It was the absolute BEST carrot cake ever because it was so Moist! I hope you enjoy every biteful of every piece.

    53. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Wishes Emily! Your cake looks delicious. And I’m a carrot cake and an Ina fan too, so I’ll definitely give this a try. Enjoy you special day!

    57. Katherine
      Reply

      Your post is beautiful. Your blog is one of my favorites, because your posts always look so pretty. You have an eye for so many things and I am always impressed and inspired! I love my birthday and I hope you love yours. Happy Birthday Emily! May this be the best year you’ve ever had!

    60. Jenny K.
      Reply

      Happy Birthday and thank you for sharing your favorite carrot cake recipe! A neighbor of mine makes the BEST carrot cake I’ve ever, ever had and I’ve asked him for the recipe but he hasn’t parted with it yet. Maybe this will be my new favorite.

    62. Kim
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily! Have your cake and eat it too :) They say you should not do this in life but I say it’s your birthday so make it a fabulous one all about you because you deserve it!

    63. kasey
      Reply

      Happy Birthday! Thanks for the recipe. Carrot cake is my mom’s favorite. It was her wedding cake! I’ll have to make this for her birthday in December.

    64. Abbie(Five days...5 ways)
      Reply

      Happy Birthday, Emily! I think I wrote almost this exact same thing last year, but I’ll say it again…mine tomorrow, and I think it’s a fantastic time to have a birthday for us fall-lovers (of course, I would think that even more if it felt even remotely like Fall here in Texas). Enjoy your day! Oh, and I am definitely giving that carrot cake a try. Carrot cake…mmmmm.

    65. Lori
      Reply

      Hey, Emily, enjoy your birthday! It so happens to be my birthday too! And I love carrot cake too, but never made myself one…I’d probably pick chocolate with PB frosting over carrot.

      Thanks for all you share: your tips, designs, recipes, fashion, home decor, etc…you truly inspire me!

      God bless you for using your talents to bless others!

    66. Lora
      Reply

      Happy 30th Emily! Eat The Cake! You only turn 30 once!
      Funny the statistics on October 5th…it’s my dad’s birthday too! Hope your day is great!

    77. Brandy
      Reply

      Happy Birthday, Emily!
      My sweet sister-in-law Brittany is one of the other 698,999 Americans born today…I won’t ever be able to look at my parents-in-law (parent-in-laws?) again on New Year’s Eve!!! :)
      I love carrot cake and I love cream cheese icing even more! I hope you have a special day and that the coming year is full of blessings and wishes come true.

      Brandy

    84. Alyssa
      Reply

      Happy Birthday!!!! I knew there was a reason I like your blog so much….we are both Libra’s (my birthday was yesterday, Oct 4th). I hope you have a wonderful birthday and enjoy being with your family. The weather should improve later today to have a little sunshine. Enjoy your cake and eat it too!!!!

    87. Angela
      Reply

      happy birthday, sweet emily!! i hope you get spoiled by your family and friends today. i pray for this to be another year of blessings, learning, growth and dreaming for you both spiritually and personally.

    89. Elizabeth
      Reply

      Happy birthday, Emily! We’ve got quite a few early October birthday’s in our family and we love to make carrot cake too. Might just have to try this one. Ina Garten is the best.

    90. Victoria Lynn
      Reply

      I just started following your blog and love it! Happy Birthday ~ hope your day is fabulous and your year blessed. Love the carrot cake. My birthday is in September and I always bake a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting, yum! It’s fun to look forward to your favorite birthday cake each year.

    94. Aubri
      Reply

      I forget every year till this day comes around that we share the same birthday! Yay! Happy Birthday to you too!! Hope it’s as great as mine has been so far!

    99. Brenna
      Reply

      Happy birthday! Today is my birthday, too! (and it is a BIG one – 30!) I am glad you posted about Oct 5th being the most common birthday, because I tell people that and they look at me like I’m crazy. Haha! I hope you enjoy your day!!

    100. Lynne
      Reply

      Happy birthday!! The cake looks scrumptious-you know you’re a grown up when you bake your own cake! Have a great day, Emily, and you should eat the whole darn thing!

    101. Heather
      Reply

      The cake looks delicious! And what a funny fact about your birthday! My birthday is 9/29 and I have heard my parents say many times how I am a “New Year’s Baby”… just what all of us kids want to visualize, right? :) Happy birthday.

    102. susan
      Reply

      Happy Birthday!
      Love your Blog. I’m always on the hunt for the best carrot cake. They usually turn out too dry or too moist and heavy. Can’t wait to try it.

    104. Melaine Thompson
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily! What are you, 29? Seriously gorgeous my friend, and that cake looks mighty delicious too! Have a good one! Melaine

      p.s. mark your calendar for Oct. 22, you must come to the ruffles and rust flea at the monroe fairgrounds, right up your alley! xoxo

    105. Fatima
      Reply

      Happy birthday Emily! Your birthday cake looks yummy! Maybe I’ll make one for me too next week for my birthday:) Have an awesome day!

    107. jen b.
      Reply

      happy birthday! it’s my birthday too! i wish we were sitting around sharing that cake together and then maybe crafting up a storm. hope you have a fab day with your family!

    111. Mitzi Causey
      Reply

      Happy Happy Birthday, yes eat the whole thing. That cake looks wonderful, carrot cake is my fav. too. I pray you have a very blessed day, thanks for all the ideas you share with us. Have a great day.

    112. Erika
      Reply

      Happy birthday! Way to make it into the wall street journal today! I saw the article title without reading and thought of you. Your card is shown on the front page way to go!

    115. Meg
      Reply

      Happy Birthday! I know one of those other American’s whose birthday is today… my hubby’s aunt’s birthday is today and my brother in law is in a couple of days… Never thought about the new year’s eve thing but it makes sense!

      Meg

    116. Sandy
      Reply

      Happy Birthday to you! I just opened up my Wall Street Journal and there your adorable lunch box note was (in the Personal Journal section article on school lunches). Did you see it yet? Fantastic! You are such a dear, talented gal and I LOVE your blog and designs. Have your scripture artwork all over my house :) Keep up the great work…

    119. {darlene}
      Reply

      a whole lotta yummmm {I love Ina too. such simple deliciousness}.
      but, a WHOLE lot more: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, sweet girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! May your day be FUN and blessed!

    121. Tonya
      Reply

      Happy Birthday! Our nephew’s birthday is also today and I put together one of those build-a-fort kits you shared on your blog for his party last weekend. He loved it! In fact, my son also loved it so much I ended up making him one as well! Enjoy your day!

    122. Andrea
      Reply

      Happy Birthday Emily! I just made my first carrot cake last year (for my husband’s b-day). The recipe was very similar to yours. It was delicious!!! Hope you enjoy your day and get to do some relaxing.

    123. Kelly in Georgia
      Reply

      Well happy birthday! I hope it is your best ever. Love the way you photographed the ingredients above and labeled them all for us. Too cute! I am not a fan of carrot cakes (do love that icing though!), but it is my mother’s all time favorite. I will have to tell her to check out your post today.
      Have a happy happy day!

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