Monday, December 8, 2014

Carrot Coffee Cake & A Cookbook Giveaway

By: Brandi O'Neil

I was recently introduced to a new super-delicious way to enjoy desserts, Dessert MashUps! It’s a new full-color, hardcover cookbook that has 52 inspiring 2 in 1 treats. You may have heard of a brookie, a brownie and cookie combo, but that is just the beginning. This book will take you from breakfast to dinner with its clever and mouthwatering recipes such as Pumpkin Cheesecake French Toast, Strawberry Pie Cupcakes, Turtle Pudding Pie and so many more.

Dorothy Kern is the writer, photographer and baker behind these recipes and she really does a great job. Her blog, Crazy for Crust, was the precursor to this book and luckily she even shares her All-Butter Pie Crust which is great for me because I have never been able to master a light flaky pie crust. The recipes are organized by chapter so the reader can easily guide themselves from breakfast, to candy concoctions, pies, cheesecakes and holiday mash-ups. Even more helpful are the sections dedicated to measurement/pan size equivalents and ingredient substitutions.

You won’t have just one favorite recipe with this book; they will all be favorites. When I brought the Carrot Coffee Cake to work, I could do no wrong. Easier than I ever thought making a carrot or a coffee cake could ever be, the prep time was only 20-25 minutes. The cake was flavorful and light, the streusel was warm and comforting and the cream cheese frosting was a sweet and tasty way to complete this mash-up. I enjoyed this book and think you will too.


****Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Dessert MashUps****



Carrot Coffee Cake
(courtesy of Dessert Mash-up)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups shredded carrots (about 4 carrots)

Streusel
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
3/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Icing
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 ounces cream cheese
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Make the Cake
1. Preheat the oven to 350. Spray a 9 inch round pan with cooking spray.
2. Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
3. Stir together the sugar, oil, and egg in a large bowl until the egg is thoroughly mixed in and all ingredients are combined. Stir in the milk. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet until just combined. Stir in the shredded carrots.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Make the Streusel
1. Stir together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter. Add the walnuts, if using.
2. Sprinkle the streusel on top of the batter in the pan. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted 2 inches from the edge of the pan comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Make the Icing
1. In a medium bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together with a hand mixer until smooth. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, then beat in the vanilla.
2. Frost the top of the coffee cake, or serve the frosting on the side so guests can add their own.
3. Store the cake loosely covered with plastic wrap. It will keep for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.


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42 comments:

  1. I love to cook this way, it's so creative, and your coffee cake sounds fabulous. I love Dorothy's blog and can't wait to get my hands on this book!

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  2. I love the concept of Dorothy's cookbook! Carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts and adding streusel to the top sounds like the best idea ever.

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  3. I'm on the fence. Some work and some just don't! I haven't made any yet.

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  4. Love Dorothy's gorgeous book! This cake sounds amazing.

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  5. Dorothy is awesome and her book looks fantastic!

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  6. This looks wonderful, perfect holiday dessert! YUM

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  7. I think the mash-up idea is so creative, & I can't wait to try this recipe! Love coffee cake & carrot cake!

    andysavi.mom@gmail.com

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  8. What a great giveaway and the coffeecake looks amazing!

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  9. Aren't mash-ups just the best? Coffee/cake together sounds awesome!

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  10. Carrot coffee cake...you are so creative it kills me! Delicious.

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  11. Love that you combined to favorites, carrot cake and coffee cake, very nice!

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  12. Dorothy is so creative and talented. Mash-ups are one of my favorite things to do!

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  13. This is the best of both worlds! Love it!

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  14. Looks amazing!!! I have to try this with my coffee this weekend!

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  15. I love Dorothy's book too - I haven't tried this recipe yet but I must - very soon!

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  16. I have to admit, carrot cake was never my favorite dessert but mashed up with coffee cake? Sounds irresistible!

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  17. I love the mash-up idea...what a creative way to cook!

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  18. Oh, I have never made a carrot coffee cake. This sounds wonderful!

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  19. Dorothy is amazing and that cake looks to die for. I would love a slice of it right this minute!

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  20. I love the idea of mash-ups.... mostly. Sometimes two great things together is a terrible idea. (I'm looking at you, chocolate-covered bacon!)

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  21. I've never seen this book before...what a fun idea! Super giveaway for the holiday!!

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  22. Delicious! Carrot coffee cake is a brilliant idea. It looks increcible!
    Renee - Kudos Kitchen

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  23. I am totally digging the idea behind this cookbook...AND the coffee cake - delicious!

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  24. This is brilliant - I love the idea of a carrot cake/coffee cake mashup!

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  25. I love the concept of this cookbook! I love mashing up desserts and this mashup looks amazing. Want!

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  26. Yes! Dessert mashups are amazing! Her cookbook is delicious!

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  27. Some mashups are ok. I tried Oreos in brownies and wasn't too thrilled with the outcome, but I'm willing to try other mashups.

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  28. Carrot cake and coffee cake together? LOVE!!!

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  29. I love this recipe. I want to run in my kitchen right now to make it.

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  30. I love carrot cake, so yummy! this version looks amazing!

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  31. I think it's a cool idea. A lot of those desserts look great!

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  32. I like it, you get the best of both worlds
    Nicole- spgoddess55(at)msn(dot)com

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  33. Great idea--Two goodies for the "price" of one.

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  34. I LOVE the Mash up idea!! I was just talking with my hubby and discussing with him how I always mix stuff up on my plate to make new and exciting flavors. I love doing this. Hubby......not so much. What a great cook book to come up with. I am very excited to take a look inside it. Thanks for the giveaway!

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