In The Country & Town October 2025

35–40 minutes until well risen and lightly golden. Leave to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. 5. Meanwhile, make the frosting. Measure the butter, vanilla and icing sugar into a large bowl and whisk using an electric hand whisk until combined.Add the cream cheese and beat until creamy and light. 6. Peel the paper from the bases of the sponges and invert one onto a plate. Spread with frosting. Place the other cake on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides, leaving a pretty swirl on top. Decorate with walnuts or pecans to serve. Can be made and assembled up to 8 hours ahead. Freezes well but best to ice on the day. Mary 90 – My Very Best Recipes by Mary Berry is published in hardback by BBC Books, priced £28. Photography by Tara Fisher.Available now

Carrot cake with frosting

“A carrot cake is so popular, especially in coffee shops and bakeries,” says Berry.“My version includes my favourite spices. Carrot cake originated in the USA where they make cakes with oil, rather than our butter-based sponges. Use a flavourless oil, such as sunflower or vegetable.”

Ingredients:

(Serves 8–10)

4 large eggs

175g caster sugar

75g light muscovado sugar

250ml sunflower oil, plus extra for greasing

1tsp vanilla extract

2 ripe bananas, mashed

150g carrots, peeled and coarsely grated

275g self-raising flour

2tsp baking powder

1tsp ground cinnamon

1tsp ground ginger

½tsp mixed spice

55g walnuts or pecans, finely chopped, plus a few extra for decoration

For the cream cheese frosting:

250g butter, softened

2tsp vanilla extract

350g icing sugar

350g full-fat cream cheese

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C Fan/Gas 4. Grease and line the bases of 2 x 20cm (8in) loose-bottomed sandwich tins. 2. Break the eggs into a large bowl and beat with a fork to break up.Add the caster and muscovado sugar, oil and vanilla and mix well. 3.Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and whisk using an electric hand whisk until just combined. Be careful not to over beat. 4. Divide the mixture between the two prepared tins and level the surface. Bake in the preheated oven for about

86 | mccarthyholden.co.uk

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