Honey, parsnip & coconut cake
This light bake, with grated parsnips and desiccated coconut, makes a great alternative to carrot cake - top with rich cream cheese icing
Ingredients
- 175 ml sunflower oil , plus extra for greasing
- 3 Large eggs
- 100 g Light muscovado sugar
- 75 g Honey, plus 2tbsp for the icing
- 280 g Self-raising flour
- ½ tsp Baking powder
- ½ tsp Bicarbonate of soda
- 200 g Parsnips , grated
- 75 g Desiccated coconut
- 3 tbsp Coconut flakes
- 300 g Cream cheese
Method
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Lightly grease a 22cm round loose-bottomed cake tin and line with baking parchment.
- Put the eggs, oil, sugar and honey in a bowl and whisk for 3-4 mins until thick and creamy.
- Sift the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda over the mixture and fold in carefully, along with the parsnips and desiccated coconut. Spoon into the tin and bake for 45 mins until golden and firm to the touch. Push a skewer into the centre of the cake – if it comes out clean, then it is cooked. If it is still wet, cook for a further 10 mins. Transfer the cake to a wire rack and leave to cool completely before icing.
- Put the coconut flakes on a baking tray and put in the oven for about 5 mins until lightly toasted. Keep an eye on them, as they burn quickly.
- To make the icing, put the cream cheese and 2 tbsp honey in a bowl and beat together until smooth and creamy. Spread the icing over the top of the cooled cake and finish with the toasted coconut flakes.