It probably goes to show just how unorganized I am when it comes to make-up by how long it is taking me to post reviews of one sample box. Seriously, I started this in December and there are only like 10 mascara's in the box... If I ever get to the last one, it will probably be dried up, sad, and neglected.
Make Up Forver Smokey Lash: the bushy applicator that reminds me of a small caterpillar applies volume, length and great curl. All upsides to me with my little knowledge of competing products (after all that's why I'm risking my eyeballs with these reviews). The overall look is slightly chunky but not in that trashy hooker sort of way. This is a nice product, cleans off well and does it job.
For everything I liked about Make Up Forever's offering, I loved Josie Maran Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara . Someone shoved a magically little Christmas tree all up in the tiny sample and dosed it with extra fairy dust. At least I'm assuming that's what the secret ingredient is that makes this mascara so awesome. My lashes were super smooth and voluminous all day. This may be the winner of the lot.
On to something I can't screw up:
Who knew carrot cake was so popular? I took this into the shop and halfway through my shift there was none left. This would be a perfect Easter dessert and comes together very quickly using the food processor method. You can prepare this without a food processor, just shred the carrots with a grated and use prepare as you would a normal cake. Same for the frosting. Enjoy! 😀
Simple Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
from Cooks Illustrated Cookbook
Ingredients:
For the Carrot Cake:
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 ¼ teas baking powder
- 1 teas baking soda
- 1 ¼ teas ground cinnamon
- ½ teas ground nutmeg
- ⅛ teas ground clove
- ½ teas salt
- 1 lb carrots, peeled
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ cups vegetable oil
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 12 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 oz tbs unsalted butter, softened
- 4 teas sour cream
- 1 teas vanilla extract
- ¼ teas salt
- 1 ¾ cups confectioners' sugar
Preparation:
Adjust the oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degree F. Grease 2 8 inch cake pans or one 13x9 inch pan, line with parchment paper, grease parchment. Flour the parchment and knock out any extra.
Whisk flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt together in a large bowl and set aside.
Using a food processor fitted with the shredding disk, shred carrots; transfer to bowl. Wipe out work bowl and fit processor with metal blade. Process granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs in food processor until frothy and thoroughly combined, about 20 seconds. With processor running, add oil in steady steam and process until mixture is light in color and well emulsified, about 20 seconds. Transfer mixture to medium bowl and stir in carrots and flour mixture until incorporated and no streaks of flour remain.
Scrape batter into prepared pan, smooth top with rubber spatula, and gently tap pan on counter to release air bubbles. Bake cake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking. Let cake cool completely in pan on wire rack about 2 hours.
Run paring knife around edge of cake to loosen from pan. Invert cake onto wire rack, discard parchment, then turn cake right side up onto serving platter.
Make the frosting: Process cream cheese, butter, sour cream, vanilla, and salt in food processor until combined, about 5 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed. Add confectioners' sugar and process until smooth, about 10 seconds.
If making a layer cake with two 8" rounds, level cakes, ice one layer, top and spread frosting evenly over cake and serve. For 13x9", spread icing evenly and serve.
Blog is the New Black says
I don't even like carrot cake..... but this looks amazing! Gorgeous pics, lady!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet says
Love that your recipe doesn't use pineapple, raisins or nuts in the actual cake!
Baker Street says
I love carrot cake and this is making me drool! Your pictures are just stunning.
ping says
You had me at Simple. And when I read on and saw Food Processor ... oh joy!
With the weather these days, there's no joy in having the oven on and whisking patiently with a mixer. I'm bookmarking this!
jodie says
What is ground cloud?? Is a typo and suppose to be clove?? Sorry just never heard of ground cloud 🙂 lol
Kita says
Yep, it should be clove.
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Oh Kita, my husband will love this cake. He doesn't like cakes with nuts...and he doesn't like pineapple as well...this recipe is just for him...!!!
Cassie says
Gorgeous, Kita! I have become a fan of carrot cake in the last couple of years and this sounds amazing, and looks incredibly moist. Yum!
Anastasia says
This cake looks AMAZING! Pinintersting it!
Belinda @zomppa says
What a creamy sweet wonderful dessert!!
The Harried Cook says
I love carrot cake and made one for my blog anniversary... yours looks gorgeous! And I love that it is simple! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Dionne Baldwin says
If I ever have an event will you come and manage the food? It would be the perfect excuse to hang out with you! Such a beautiful cake that's almost too beautiful to eat if it weren't for the fact that I know it's got to be crazy good.
Medeja says
These pictures look so great! Really simple and really good cake! Nicely done!
Omeghan says
" 4 teas large eggs, room temperature"
Could you clarify please ??
Many thanks !
Kita says
Just 4 large eggs, room temp. Sorry about that
Tanya C. says
Gorgeous cake! Off to the store tonight, I am making this tomorrow!
ATasteOfMadness says
I am in love with carrot cake! I have never made it, but this is going to change. This looks great!
Lucy says
I love carrot cake, it's been way too long since I've had some! This looks gorgeous - I can never resist cream cheese icing.
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Carrot cake is one of my absolute favorites! 🙂 Oh my word is your cake absolutely gorgeous. I'd take the whole thing, hide in a corner and devour it.
Nessie @ baking = love says
Your photos = Blow. My. Mind.
Mi Vida en un Dulce says
Kita, there is an award waiting for you: https://mividaenundulce.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/tengo-un-versatile-blogger-award/
Katja says
Ah ha! I knew there was clove in carrot cake! I just made some carrot cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for my daughter's first birthday. Although they were good, they weren't great. If I were to redo and try this recipe, how would you suggest I alter the cooking time for cupcakes? Also, thanks for the friend request on food buzz!
cynthia says
Ooh, Kita -- I love the top of this cake!! It's just stunning.