Winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It has been celebrated by many cultures for centuries. Brighten your day by baking a winter solstice cake at home.
Winter solstice is the day when we experience the shortest day and the longest night of the whole year. This time the astronomical event falls on December 22 and it has a cultural and spiritual importance for people around the world. In different cultures, winter solstice is observed as a time of rebirth or victory of light over darkness.
Since it happens during the holiday season, this event becomes a reason to celebrate with some warm and delightful treats such as soups, salads, cocktails and cakes. It has become a cherished tradition to bake a winter solstice cake and embrace the seasonal change. This sweet treat is often adorned with some symbolic solstice decorations like intricate snowflake designs and representations of the sun, moon, and stars.
If you are also planning to celebrate the triumph of light over the darkness, here is an easy recipe to bake a decadent solstice cake at home:
- Preparation time- 25 minutes
- Cook time-40 minutes
- Total time- 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients
For the cake
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut (shredded)
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- For the cream cheese frosting
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
For decoration
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour one 8-inch cake pan and keep it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the carrots, coconut, sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- In another mixing bowl, combine the wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.
- Then incorporate the dry ingredients with the wet. Stir until well combined. Mix raisins and chopped walnuts.
- Add the batter into the greased cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Let it cool completely and then proceed for frosting.
- To prepare the frosting, whip the butter and cream cheese for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy. To the frosting add in the vanilla extract, salt, and powdered sugar.
- Whip again to combine for about 2 minutes. Once the cake has cooled, remove it from the pan and frost with the prepared mixture.
- Top with additional shredded coconut and decorate with rosemary pieces (if desired).
Tips To Make Perfect Solstice Cake
- Experiment With Decoration
- Frosting and topping are a vital part to make any cake look attractive. So, to give your solstice cake a themed look you can add edible stars, moon and snowflakes. You can use any of your favorite ingredients like egg white, fondant etc.
- Allow to cool properly
- Patience is the key when it comes to baking. So, allow your winter solstice cake to cool properly before starting the decoration. This simple tip will ensure that the icing and decorations are set properly and will prevent any melting or sliding.
- Select Seasonal Flavors
- You can infuse your cake with the seasonal flavors that amp up the essence of winter. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves can be used to add warmth and depth to your cake.
- You can also consider seasonal fruits like orange zest and cranberries for a festive touch. Mindful Moisture
- Moisture is a crucial part of every perfect cake. So, to avoid a dry texture, make sure to add ingredients like sour cream or buttermilk to the batter. Apart from adding moisture, these ingredients also contribute to the richness of the cake.