(Vegan) Carrot Cake

I made this in October for my housemate's boyfriend who has decided to be vegan for awhile. Given that the typical cake has eggs and butter we were determined to find a recipe what he would be able to enjoy guilt-free. I had never made carrot cake before and it wouldn't have been my cake of choice but this has honestly got to be my most favorite cake to date. It was moist, sweet and smelt amazing and between the 5 of us was devoured in the space of a couple of hours.

 

 

Ingredients: 200ml of vegetable oil, 170g of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 200ml of water, 230g of grated carrots, 70g of pecans chopped, 100g of sultanas, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ginger, 280g of self-raising flour.

 

 

Beat oil, sugar and vanilla essense, add water and mix (remember oil and water don't mix so don't worry if it looks weird). Stir in carrots, pecans and sultanas until completely covered. Sift in cinnamon and ginger and stir. Then sift in flour (a half at a time) and mix until well combined. It doesn't look the most appealing but when it's cooked I think the picture below is proof that it looks amazing.

Bake at 180 degrees celsius (in a pre-heated oven) don't forget to grease the tin with oil. Bake for 40-45 minutes.

 

 

 

Do keep an eye on the cake when baking though because the sultana's on top will burn first - you just don't want it to burn too much.

I made one layer first and then decided that I wanted the cake to be bigger so I baked another layer the next day. In terms of storing the first layer I made, I wrapped it up in cling film and put it in the fridge.

 

 

 

The topping was a suggestion made by another housemate, it was a combination of icing sugar (150-200g) and orange juice (1.5- 2 tablespoons depending on the consistancy desired) - we made a very thin layer and it complemented the cake perfectly.

 

 

 

I had four slices; 2 on the their own, 1 slice with vanilla ice-cream and the other with apricot jam. I would recommend the vanilla ice-cream.

I cannot wait to bake it again.

Olola
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Third Year

My life for the next couple of months

 

But I always have this to keep me going

 

 

This is just a means to an end...not long now.

 

Olola

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Solange - Losing You

 

I adore this song!

The style, fashion and irony.

I just love songs that are about failed love but are danceable as well.

 

Olola

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Coffee (& Hot Chocolate) Kisses

These were made with a coffee and hot chocolate. I made these a while back so I would put up the recipe but I wouldn't be telling the total truth as I don't remember exactly what I did as I never really follow recipes completely.

 

 

However, I think I slightly over did them but they were devoured anyway.

 

Olola

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Destiny

 

 

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

 

 

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I am strong believer in self-determination. Yes, there are things that are out of our control due to external influences but I believe that we are in control of the majority of things. We have a choice. You decide who you are, you choose the path you walk down. You choose to Be Bigger and Better.  

 



Ed Sheeran - Give Me Love

This song sums up how I feel very often.

I am the cupid in this video in every way possible.

Just give me love...

 

Olola

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Daddy Issues

You call at dawn

And I don't understand why

You know I'm not awake

It's a ridiculous time.

You call

And I talk

Because I don't bear grudges

But you've really hurt me daddy

You've hurt me so much

You call

And I think 'why is this so formal?'

We talk as if we are avoiding everything

Because there's really nothing to avoid

You call

And hint at the fact that I haven't called you

But you are the one who left me

I am doing this on my own

All by myself. All on my own

I've worked so hard to get where I am

Yet I deny myself praise because I am nothing yet

I've taken so much on

But I don't complain

I keep it inside

Because outside it's a mess

And I don't need any help

You left me with it all

Your role and mine

That's why I am so messed up

Wise beyond my years

But all I want is Love in it's purist form

And not to have to take the lead

Not to have to care or think

I want someone to take care of me

But that will not happen

Because you've messed it all up

You wonder why I am not in touch

Well you're the one that left US

So you call

And I put on a brave voice

And pretend I'm alright

Because I have to be alright

For your sake and mine

You call

And I dry up

What I'm feeling doesn't count

Let's adhere to formalities

It's not long now

You call

I answer

While you question

We've been over this before

Apparently this is affection

You call

And fail to swallow your pride

You call

But time has widened the divide

You call

And I'm tired; you've messed up my life

But you call

And after all is said and done

We hang up.

Then I cry.

 

 

Olola (2012)

Butterfly Cupcakes

 

These were the first proper cupcakes I have made. I have reached the conclusion that I am not a fan of making cupcakes - I prefer big masterpieces; cupcakes require too much detail and are difficult to transport. Plus I need to figure out how to transfer equal amounts of mixture into cake cases without it massively over flowing when it rises. It comes with practice.

These butterfly cakes were made using 200g of butter, 200g of Caster sugar, 4 eggs, 200g of self raising flour and then for the butter cream topping: 160g of butter, 300g of icing sugar, 3 table spoons of milk, blue and red food colouring and mixed-fruit jam - then topped off with a sprinkle of icing sugar.

I made 24 in total but I reckon the mixture could easily have stretched to 30.

 

I think I will make muffins next - you don't have to worry about its prettiness. I've got two I'd like to try next - the classic chocolate chip muffin and the healthier banana and carrot muffin.

Can you spot any of mine?

 

 

Olola

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Holstee Manifesto

 

Wise, wise words.

 

Life is simple...Life is short.

This is your [my] Life

 

 

Olola

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