Parma-Style Carrot Cake
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pine nuts (about 6 ounces)
- 1/2 cup sugar, plus 1/2 cup
- 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 cups peeled and chopped carrots (about 6 carrots)
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 5 eggs
- Powdered sugar, for garnish
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a medium bowl stir together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Set aside.
- Place the pine nuts, 1/2 cup sugar, and fennel seeds in a food processor and pulse to mince the nuts.
- Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, and the carrots.
- Pulse to mince the carrots.
- Add the mascarpone cheese and pulse until the cheese is incorporated.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream together the butter and remaining 1/2 cup sugar.
- Add the eggs, 1 at a time, until well blended.
- Add the carrot mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined.
- Add in the reserved dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
- Place the mixture in a lightly greased and floured 8 by 10 by-2-inch baking dish.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
- Let the cake cool for 1 hour, then dust with powdered sugar.
- Cut into squares and serve.
flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, salt, pine nuts, sugar, fennel seeds, lemon, carrots, mascarpone cheese, butter, eggs, powdered sugar
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/parma-style-carrot-cake-recipe.html (may not work)