Mango Carrot Cake

The original recipe for this cake calls for two layers and a cream cheese frosting. I went for a simpler approach of a 9x13 pan and no icing, and thought it was tasty on its own. The recipe below will be what I did; follow the link to the original for the layer cake.

Mango Carrot Cake
(based on Mango Ginger Carrot Cake with Candied Ginger Frosting from Rock Recipes)

• 2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tsp powdered ginger
• 2 tbsp fresh ginger root, finely grated*
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs lightly beaten
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ cups grated carrots
• 1 cup fresh ripe mango, diced small**
• ½ cup chopped lightly toasted macadamia nuts (optional)***

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F
2. Grease and flour one 9x13 pan.
3. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, powdered ginger and salt.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla and oil until light and fluffy.
5. Stir in the grated carrots, mango, grated ginger root (and nuts if you are using them.)
6. Fold in the dry ingredients by hand.
7. Stir only until the dry ingredients are incorporated into the batter. Do not over mix.
8. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Jenny's notes:

* - I couldn't find the ginger root that I know I bought. I would recommend adding this layer of flavor, or maybe crystalized ginger in the batter.
** - I used frozen mango which is in rather large chunks (as evidenced in photo) - I would definitely cut those chunks in half next time, and maybe increase mango flavor by replacing some oil with mango puree or mango nectar.
*** - I did not add nuts but ended up wishing I had more texture - nuts or coconut, etc.