Such A Splendid Saturday

Yesterday was a fabulously fun day which combined three of my loves - baking, drawing, and dancing - all in the one deliciously sunshiny 24 hour period. To top it off, whilst I was covering myself and my paper equally in charcoal, and whilst I was being swept off my feet, quite literally, on the dance floor, I was sporting my new Vice brooch (previously mentioned here). Lauren's handy work was the recipient of much attention, praise, and adoration, and also acted as a great conversation starter whenever I noticed people staring pointedly at my chest whilst pretending to blow on their smoking pistol fingers...

The other recipient of some praise, and a little lip lickin' last night, was my carrot spice loaf. This cake fills the house with the most delicious aroma whilst it's baking, and it certainly doesn't disappoint when you take it out of the oven and try to gobble it down before it's had a chance to cool.

Carrot Spice Loaf

2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
200g flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
a pinch of salt
30g raisins
30g walnuts
1 cup finely grated raw carrot
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon minced ginger

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Beat the eggs in a large bowl, add the sugar, and continue beating until the mixture thickens. Murmuring sweet terms of endearment, gradually add the vegetable oil and continue beating until well combined. Stir in the flour, walnuts, raisins, and remaining dry ingredients.

In a small bowl, mix together the orange juice, ginger, and carrot. Add the carrot mix to the dry ingredients, tell them they look fabulous together, and stir well.

Grease a loaf tin, or line with baking paper, and pour mixture in. Bake for one hour or until testing skewer comes out clean. Remove cake from tin to cool and admire on a rack. Dust with icing sugar or smoodge on some cream cheese frosting if you're that way inclined, then slice and serve at your next picnic, dance party, or at Peter Rabbit's birthday!

I promise, you will be loved.