30 May 2012

Carrot Cake Coffee Cake

Pin It


Baking is my therapy.

{So is exercise, but that's another story.}

Sometimes I just feel like crap about whatever is going on and I realize it's been awhile since I've been in the kitchen. I go to my oven like a moth to a flame and begin to create and I feel better.

My favorite kind of therapy is when I'm creating something that's in my head. Not just following a recipe, but changing it. Making it mine. Or making it fit my mood. The thinking, the figuring, the measuring. It's soothing and relaxing. It's perfect for those days you need a little therapy.

Like when I realize Andy Cohen is on a book tour and not making new episodes of Watch What Happens: Live.

Or when the season finale of Grey's Anatomy is just so...wrong...that you almost want to scream and shout and yell nasty things.

Or when your daughter is so upset about what happens on the playground at school that her body reacts by making her sick.

Or when other parents try to parent your child at school, without you present, causing more of said sickness.

Baking is a great release for times when my kid isn't perfect.

And especially for times when I wish other parents would realize the same things about their own children.

And for times when I really, really wish no one knew who I was and that I blogged anonymously, so that I could really blog, if you get my drift.




It's times like these, when Andy Cohen is not here to make me laugh and when Shondra Rhimes makes me angry and when playground politics make me feel like I want to go all 80s Bunco Night, that I bake and create things like this Carrot Cake Coffee Cake.

It's a coffee cake. With carrots. So it's healthy.

Which is perfect for breakfast. Because it's the most important meal of the day.

Behind dessert, anyway.


And after I create things like these, and hear things like, "wow that's really good" or "I didn't know carrot cake coffee cake existed!" I feel better.

Because baking is my therapy.


Carrot Cake Coffee Cake

by Crazy for Crust (adapted from this recipe)

Ingredients
    For the Cake
    • ¾ cup sugar
    • ¼ cup vegetable oil
    • 1 egg
    • ½ cup milk
    • 1 ½ cups flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 cups shredded carrots
    For the Streusel
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
    • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
    • ¾ cup chopped walnuts, if desired
    For the icing
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon milk
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9” round pan with cooking spray.
    2. Whisk flower, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl.
    3. Stir sugar, oil, and egg in a large bowl. Stir in milk. Stir dry ingredients into wet and stir until just combined. Stir in shredded carrots.
    4. Make the crumb topping: stir together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter. Add walnuts, if desired.
    5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Top with streusel. Bake for 25-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
    6. Make icing: Mix powdered sugar and milk. Drizzle over cooled cake.
    Powered by Recipage





    I link up to all of these fabulous parties each week!
    Talent Show Tuesday at Chef in TrainingTrick or Treat Tuesday at Inside BruCrew Life, Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain, Sweet Treats Thursday at Something Swanky, Chic-and-Crafty at the Frugal Girls, Tastetastic Thursday at A Little Nosh, Sweet Tooth Friday at Alli-n-sons, I'm Lovin' it Fridays at TidyMom, Sweets for a Saturday at Sweet as Sugar Cookies, A Well-Seasoned LifeStrut your Stuff Saturday at Six Sisters' Stuff, and all of these too!

    Labels: ,

    42 Comments:

    At May 30, 2012 at 6:10 PM , Blogger Elizabeth said...

    Carrot is one of my favorite types of cake. This looks so delicious!

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 6:12 PM , Blogger Michael said...

    Holy Yum. I completely understand every word you say. And I ditto every word!

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 6:13 PM , Blogger Veronica LaChance said...

    If you can't be honest on your blog then where can you be?! The real world doesn't allow for honesty..... Plus, some people of the "having children kind" need to hear honesty once in awhile and get off their high horse! Ranting aside, I love your real housewives of OC reference! And on a lighter note... This looks fab! Hopefully it cheered you up :)

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 6:29 PM , Blogger Jocelyn said...

    I am with you girl. Something about baking just relaxes you and everything is right while you are focused on the ingredients!!! That stinks about your cute little lady and the playground;-(.
    Carrot cake coffee cake...I am all over this one!!! It's totally health food;-)

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 6:36 PM , Blogger Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel said...

    I hear ya 100%! Especially times like now, where there's crap going on in my life, it would help if I blogged anonymously so I could say whatever's on my mind and no one could pinpoint who's who. But then you wouldn't get exclusive credit for this awesome coffee cake which, honestly, I didn't know you could make (seriously!) You're an awesome mom, blogger and friend and I'm here if you need me (and so is the kitchen. And our walks. And Andy).

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 6:39 PM , Blogger Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch said...

    Baking is so my therapy too! This carrot cake looks divine! This looks fabulous sweetie! XOXO

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 6:59 PM , Anonymous sally @ sallys baking addiction said...

    Dorothy, baking is my therapy too!! This coffee can looks so good because 1) i love carrot cake and 2) i LOVE coffee cake. Never would have put them together. :)

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 8:30 PM , Blogger Sara said...

    Looks great Dorothy, therapy session was a success!

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 8:45 PM , Blogger Kristin said...

    Oh friend, I think you need to put some cream cheese in that icing :) You wouldn't even be able to see the top of the cake for all the icing if I had my way. This would be a way to eat carrot cake everyday of the year! Isn't it your husband's favorite??
    I'm hoping you got the teacher involved. If you can get the school on your side...
    Oh, and I SO wish I could mention names on my blog. Too many "locals" know about it though.

     
    At May 30, 2012 at 9:05 PM , Blogger Back for Seconds said...

    So sorry about your daughter. I get so sad about that kind of thing :(
    On a happy note. I have never seen a carrot coffee cake before! Yay you!! The pools of icing in the crevices of that streusel is driving me bonkers. I neeeeeed!!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 2:49 AM , Blogger Sophie said...

    No way! That looks SOOOOOOOO good! That's goin' on my To Make list!!! :) Thanks for sharing! And sorry to heard about your daughter.

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 3:51 AM , Blogger Shirley@bells-bakery said...

    This looks yummy! Im sorry to hear about your daughter,I hate hearing stuff like this,breaks my heart! I hope things get better for her xx

    Shirley x

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 4:24 AM , Blogger Sabrina Poehl said...

    Baking is my stress relief in life. And, sweets...but I should probably try to stop eating my feelings. Too bad sweets and eating are hard to separate, lol! You have at least given me something sweet that can pass as healthy! Plus, if you eat your sweets at breakfast time, you have a way better chance of burning it off by the end of the day. Besides, Cosby made it very clear why cake is considered breakfast food.

    I can't wait to try this. I might even go really bad and throw a cream cheese frosting on top. I was that child that ate frosting off of cupcakes and left the cake, sadly. I take any excuse I can to frost something, lol.

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 4:34 AM , Anonymous Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more said...

    aw sounds like a bad week:( I love to bake, exercise, well that is bad, but if I can bake afterwards that would be good:) this looks great, and I don;t think cake is bad any time of the day:)

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 4:45 AM , Blogger CookieCrazedMama said...

    Oh, girl! I don't think I've baked as much as when I was taking care of my dad. Therapy, indeed! Cheaper than a therapist, and everyone gets to enjoy the outcome of baking therapy. Win-Win. Except for the thighs-they might suffer. But I gave up on worrying about them a long time ago! My son will be going into Kindergarten. I haven't really had to experience many parents yet. But I'm sure it will come. In my family, we like to say, "People are fascinating!" when ever we come across people who try our patience. For whatever reason, it helps, and we get a giggle out of it. Maybe because it's an inside joke? Anyway, this coffee cake looks soooo AMAZING- I hope today, you and your daughter are feeling better!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:33 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Yeah, I know what you mean. I just don't want to create any more drama than there already is! :) Thanks so much for your comment Veronica, it made me smile. :)

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:34 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Yup. Would be nice. We should start an anonymous blog. :) Thanks so much Hayley, and right back atcha!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:34 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Thanks Sally!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:36 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Well, at least school is almost out, and there's always next year. :) Thanks so much Shirley!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:36 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    I know, it really does need a cream cheese frosting. I was in a hurry when I was making this, and making several things at once, so I didn't get a chance. Next time for sure!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:37 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Thanks Sue. That's why I exercise, so I can bake. :)

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:58 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Thanks Sophie! I hope you enjoy it. :)

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 9:05 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

    Baking is my therapy too!! I wish exercise was. ha this cake looks delish!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 9:18 AM , Blogger Shannon said...

    We love carrot cake and this coffee cake looks awesome! I will need to try it soon! Have a great day!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 10:43 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Thanks Holly!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 10:58 AM , Blogger Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips said...

    Hope you are starting to feel better! I personally feel that carrot cake is always acceptable for breakfast, whether it is in carrot cake form or not. I mean, fruits, veggies, eggs...

    Anyway, I still want to make this. Sounds amazing!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 2:20 PM , Blogger Angi said...

    I totally get your "drift"! We need to set up an anonymous blog site...like the "anonymous wives club" just for those days when we want to rant about all the num-nuts in our life...and not share the address with anyone that we know. :)

    But on a sweet note...these look over the top yummy! So for what its worth, I'm glad you had a bad day so that we get to partake in the "rewards" of it.

    Take care!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 2:46 PM , Blogger Shannon said...

    I might make a mini version this weekend. It looks SO good!

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 6:35 PM , Blogger Marie in Va said...

    This looks amazing--I'm going to give it a shot this weekend! I really hope things are better for your daughter...Remember this too shall pass... :)

     
    At May 31, 2012 at 8:13 PM , Anonymous Shawn @ I Wash...You Dry said...

    Yum! This look so tasty! What a great combination of flavors!

     
    At June 1, 2012 at 6:53 AM , Blogger Danni@SiloHillFarm said...

    Looks really delicious!

     
    At June 1, 2012 at 11:47 AM , Blogger Melanie @ bear rabbit bear said...

    Looks SO good!

     
    At June 3, 2012 at 6:52 PM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Thanks Brianne, I am. :) Thanks for the comment!

     
    At June 3, 2012 at 6:54 PM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    I hope you enjoyed!

     
    At June 3, 2012 at 6:54 PM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Thanks Shawn!

     
    At June 3, 2012 at 6:58 PM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    I hop you enjoy, and thank you. :)

     
    At June 4, 2012 at 8:50 AM , Blogger Dip It In Chocolate said...

    Totally get your drift. If only!! (Is there a way to block everyone you know from your blog but keep all the wonderful strangers?) Baking is fabulous therapy. This is a brilliant combination! Maybe you should throw a slice or two of it in a certain parent's face... That would probably be great therapy as well.

     
    At June 4, 2012 at 12:40 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

    This looks fantastic! I need to make this for dessert or breakfast sometime. I agree with you, baking is a stress reliever to me. Thanks for sharing at Showcase Your Talent Thursday!

     
    At June 4, 2012 at 4:15 PM , Blogger Six Sisters said...

    Love this carrot cake!! Looks so moist and delicious!! We are so glad you joined our "Strut Your Stuff Saturday". We love to see all of the great recipes and ideas!! Thanks and we hope to see you again next week! -The Sisters

     
    At June 5, 2012 at 7:18 AM , Blogger FeauxCajun said...

    MMmmm, this looks fantastic. Carrot cake is one of my faves (probably because I can tell my self it's health food)...though I love carrot cake w/cream cheese icing...so I wonder if one could thin down a cream cheese icing to use as a glaze? Hrmmm.... *gears turn*

    Thanks for sharing!

     
    At June 9, 2012 at 11:07 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    Definitely. Oh how I wish I could!

     
    At June 9, 2012 at 11:08 AM , Blogger Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust said...

    I know, I must make this again with a better icing!

     

    Post a Comment

    Thank you for your comment! Reading your comments is better than eating pie...and if you know me that's saying a lot. :)

    Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

    << Home