Reinventing carrot cake: Sweet success with condensed milk

Carrot cake is renowned for its moisture, which makes it more challenging to master than classic baked goods like a sponge cake or oil-based cake. When trying to make carrot cake for the first time, it's best to select a simple recipe with a short, straightforward list of ingredients. The unique and intriguing addition will be condensed milk, which is also familiar in homemade caramel cream preparations for wafer layering, among other dishes.

The recipe that gained popularity on social media uses condensed milk instead of eggs and oil. In the proportion where 60 mL (1/4 cup) of sweetened condensed milk corresponds to one egg, you can adjust the other ingredients and make a cake with the right texture. There's no need to add sugar since the recipe relies on the sugar in the condensed milk for sweetness. Additionally, it will give the cake a delicious, milky flavour.

Ingredients:

• 500 mL (2 cups) all-purpose flour,
• 1 teaspoon baking powder,
• 2 carrots (about 285 g),
• 1 can of condensed milk,
• 100 g (3.5 oz) walnuts.

For the frosting:

• 60 mL (1/4 cup) softened butter,
• 1 L (4 cups) powdered sugar (sifted),
• 255 g (9 oz) cream cheese,
• 80 mL (1/3 cup) lemon juice.

Preparation of the cake:

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F), then grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper, covering the bottom and sides.
2. Peel the carrots and grate them directly onto one half of a clean cloth. Fold the cloth and gently squeeze out excess moisture, then transfer the carrot to a bowl.
3. Add flour, baking powder, and condensed milk, and mix everything with a wooden spoon to form the batter.
4. Add chopped walnuts, if using, and you can reserve some for decorating the frosting.
5. Transfer the batter to the lined pan, ensuring that the walnuts are evenly distributed. Place the cake in the oven for about 50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. After baking, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool down.

Preparation of the frosting (optional):

1. Beat the cream cheese in a bowl using an electric mixer until smooth.
2. Add the softened butter and beat for 30 seconds to a minute until the ingredients combine and become fluffy.
3. Add lemon juice and powdered sugar, continuing to mix until the ingredients are combined.
4. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting on top and sprinkle with the remaining chopped walnuts.

This recipe is an excellent way to prepare a sweet treat from scratch without buying additional ingredients or creating a mess in the kitchen. Thanks to its simplicity and quick preparation, carrot cake with condensed milk is an ideal choice for any occasion.