Monday, October 21, 2013

If You "carrot" all...

Well here I am, finally getting around to a post about baking. I would apologize but it would be very insincere, so there for I won't. Sorry...for not being sorry. Camp has slowly but surely consumed basically every ounce of free time I have and I don't exactly have an oven in my dorm so it makes this whole baking blog thing a bit difficult. I did, however, spend the afternoon baking today so I should be stocked with recipes for a while now.

Anywho..

My last experience with carrot cake was terrible. It was for a wedding cake I made last summer. Long story short, the recipe was so heavy my cakes fell in the middle and were just a mess to work with. But I got her done.

So needless to say, I was a tad weary to try carrot cake again. But I left it in the hands of google to tell me which was a good recipe and I'd say it turned out pretty great.


I'm not normally a big Wilton recipe fan, but this one didn't start off with saying "buy a cake mix..." so I thought it would be safe to test out.

And what carrot cake is complete without cream cheese icing?


And now, for your baking pleasure, here's the recipe:

Wilton Carrot Cake:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 cups (2-ish big ones) carrots (shredded)
  • 2/3 cup nuts chopped
*Preheat oven to 350°F.
*Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and baking soda.
*In large bowl, beat eggs with electric mixer until foamy; add oil and mix well.
*Add flour mixture to egg mixture; mix well. 
*Fold in carrots and nuts.
*Scoop into lined cupcake tin and bake for 18-20 minutes


Isn't it just the cutest little guy ever?

And here's the frosting recipe:

Cream Cheese Icing:
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2-3 cups icing sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
*With an electric mixer, mix together the butter and cream cheese until completely smooth
*Add the vanilla extract

*Slowly add the icing sugar until it's as sweet as you want it to be (I used 2 cups)
*Spread or pipe the icing onto your cake or cupcakes.



My darling friend Robyn turned 18 a few weeks ago and since carrot cake is her favorite, that's what she got! Happy Birthday, Robyn!

Well I hope autumn has been as good to you as it has to me.

May you continue to wear pretty scarves, throw leaves at your friends, and sip tea by a fireplace. 

xoxo
Syd

Sunday, October 13, 2013

"I thank God Everytime I Remember You"

For all the times I have missed a chance to say thank you. For everyday I spend taking things for granted. For each person who has impacted my life more than I let them know.

I am blessed.


I'm sure your parents are great, but have you met mine?


Don't get me started on how lucky I am to have a sister like her and a brother-in-law who treats her like the princess she is.


These guys are rad.


These girls are the most incredible people I know.


Not only did I get to spend time in our great capital city, I got hang out with amazing people for a whole week.

 
I know people who load into vehicles every February and drive to Saskatchewan just to party hard for Jesus.
 

 
Who needs mountains when you have this view every evening?
 
 
I have the best job in the world.
 
 
Best Fwiend , you know I love you.
 
 
Pulse {Grace Young Adults}. If you haven't experienced it, you need to.
 
 
A mile from where I live, and I'm still speechless.
 
 
This girl and the other beauties I get to dorm with for the year - they'll change your life.
 
 
These goofs. Combining, piano concerts, 3am, and abs from laughing; I like them a lot.
 

Friends that sneak into your dorm just to put up glow-in-the-dark stars.


Cats - is there a more beautiful creature?
 

I can't tell you how much I love my camp family.

 
High school friends, where would I be without you?
 
 I will not be thankful only on this day, once a year. There is so much in this beautiful life, I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.
 
Thank you.
 
From the bottom of my heart, I cannot be grateful enough.
 
Syd