MANDARIN ORANGE CARROT CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.
• In medium bowl, stir carrots and coconut with 3 tablespoons of the dry cake mix. In large bowl, beat remaining cake mix, the oil, water, cinnamon, allspice, eggs and oranges with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in carrots and coconut. Pour into pan.
• Bake 41 to 46 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
• In large bowl, beat cream cheese on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Stir in frosting until well mixed. Spread frosting over cake. Sprinkle with pecans (or top with additional mandarin orange segments just before serving). Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving. Store covered in refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C for fan assisted ovens), Gas Mark 4. Lightly grease 2 x 20cm (8-inch) round sandwich tins and line the bases with baking parchment.
• In a medium bowl, mix the coconut and carrots with 3 tablespoons of the dry cake mixture. Set aside.
• Tip the remaining cake mix into a large mixing bowl and stir in the spices. Add the oil, water and eggs and beat with an electric mixer on a low speed for 30 seconds, then on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
• Using a metal spoon, fold in the coconut and carrot mixture followed by the mandarin segments. Divide between the prepared tins and gently level the surface.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the centre of each cake comes out clean. Cool in the tins for 5 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
• Spread half the cream cheese icing over the top of one cold cake. Place the second cake on top and spread over the rest of the icing, swirling it with a small palette knife. Scatter over the chopped pecans. Slice into 12 to serve.