I originally started blogging as a way to connect with family and friends who lived all over the country. I thought it would be a great way to share milestones, the kids growth and our families travels. But then, somehow, it turned into something completely different.
I have always enjoyed being in the kitchen and through it’s evolution, I saw my blog as a vehicle for creating, for lack of a better description, a virtual photo album for my kids of our journey through food. I have three boys and they don’t always join me in the kitchen. I wanted this to be somewhat of an heirloom piece, to be passed down to them. Lord knows, I am not in any photographs with them (as I am always the one with the camera in my hand), at the very least they will remember me not by what I looked like, but by how I shared my love through the food and celebration.
Never in a million years would I have thought that this blog would have brought me so much happiness and satisfaction. I have challenged myself in the kitchen, I have challenged myself with the camera and I have challenged myself with my voice. I have made friends and created relationships that are deep, true and authentic. And through these relationships, I have been introduced to a world, a somewhat virtual world, that is supportive, funny, creative, loving, and inspiring. I have a new found love and appreciation for all things culinary and I have changed the way I grocery shop, feed my family and plan my meals.
I am just a home cook, self taught, yet find ways to learn each and every day. I am not a professional photographer, yet through other blogs and meeting amazing photographers; Penny de los Santos, Diane Cu + Todd Porter, Matt Armendariz, Aran Goyoaga and countless others, I have learned, grown and gone outside my comfort zone. This blog has taught me that I am an eternal student. This blog has kept me humble.
So, in my most humble voice, I raise a glass to you (and to me) and on this day, I say happy 2 year anniversary. May we share many, many more years together!
Bill’s Big Carrot Cake
Ingredients
for the cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp. salt
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup toasted pecans, chopped
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup plump golden raisins
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 large eggs
for the frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 pound powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut
toasted coconut for garnish
Instructions
• preheat oven to 325*. butter 3 9″ x 2″ cake pans and dust with flour. line the pans with parchment.
for the cake:
• whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. in another bowl, stir together the carrots, chopped nuts, coconut and raisins.
• working with a kitchen aid mixer, beat the sugar and oil together on medium speed. add the eggs, one by one, beat until smooth.
• reduce the speed and add the flour and combine. mix in the chunky ingredients. divide the batter between the three pans.
•bake for 40-50 minutes, rotating the pan from top to bottom, front to back.
• cool on racks for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes and unmold them. invert them and let them cool completely.
for the frosting:
• working with a kitchen aid mixer, beat the cream cheese and butter together until creamy. gradually add the sugar and vanilla. when combined add the coconut.
to assemble the cake:
• put one of the cakes on a cardboard cake round. put a third of the frosting on the cake. top with the second cake and repeat until all three cakes have been frosted.
• toast some additional coconut and then sprinkle the top of the cake with coconut.
• refrigerate the cake before eating.
The Urban Baker / SusanSalzman.com
Hey Susan! Happy blog birthday!! xo
CONGRATS!! That is just wonderful… I wish you many, many more years of success!Blessings-Amanda
Congrats on two years! This cake is the perfect way to celebrate!
Happy 2 years lady! xoxo
Happy Anniversary :-}Keep up the good work!!
Hooray for 2 years! What a lovely sentiment about being an “eternal student”, I feel that way too.I love your beautiful photos and words. xxoo
Happy Anniversary to the Cutest Urban Baker! Thanks for inspiring me everyday. xoxo
Happy blogiversary! The cake looks amazing and may you and your blog continue to be challenged and grow in the foodblogging world!
Happy anniversary!!!!!!!!!!! I really love your blog, it’s really how I like it! I always enjoy tour posts and I think you do a pretty good job out there! Thank you for all that you share with us!
Happy Anniversary but more important please save me a piece of the carrot cake. I think it might overtake the coconut cake that you made but I will have to do a taste test!!! Happy BlogBirthday! JP
Happy anniversary! Nice cake to celebrate this great achievement!
Happiest 2 year bloggaversary! I certainly enjoy your blog, so thank you for your talents!
Well done, Susan! Two years into blogging and still going strong. It’s no small feat. Wishing you more good years! 🙂 What better way to celebrate than with that awesome cake.
Congratulations on your 2 years! Love the toasted coconut on top of the cake 🙂
congrats on your anniversary,2 years…wow!!!:)
wowwwwwww!! delicious!!!!
Congratulations on 2 years. You gave me a smile talking about what you are passing on to your boys which does not include pictures with you in them. Same here. I have a friend to takes a self-portrait at every event she photographs just so they will know she was there in the future.
That is a beautiful cake! And congrats on two years!
Happy Blogiversary! Here’s to many more delicious posts to come!
Congrats to you, your blog and your new found passions. Susan this is such an exciting time for not only our careers, but for our families and personal growth. I look forward to sharing the journey ahead with you as your friend! That Carrot Cake looks like the perfect celebration cake. xo
Happy Anniversary… what better way to celebrate than having a beautiful cake…:)
Thank you to all for all your well wishes. I am excited to see what the next year brings:Esi – thanks…looking forward to seeing you next monthAmanda – you need a Los Angeles Visit!!Maria – thanks, so glad to know youGaby – thanks to you, my world is betterBrownieville – I always love your comments!Heather – your comments mean the world to me!Vic – 40 years of friendship and we still love each otherCarolyn – I am going to work on more recipes geared toward you and my little friend, Alex. Thanks for always being so encouraging!Kim – I am so glad we found each other! thanks!Jackie – you need another meal at our house. put your request in for dessertZoe – thanks and the cake was a hit!Cathy – back at you, I enjoy your blog as well!Ju – I hope I can keep up this pace for a long time! thanks!Hazel – toasted coconut is good on just about anything, don’t you think?M – your comments are always a lovely treatMas alla – it was super delicious!Paula – let’s home one of our children inherits the shutterbug gene and we may possibly, benefit in our old age!Danielle – I love a cake that isn’t frosted on the outside. I think not only does it take away the mystery of what is inside, but it is a bit more dramatic!Maria – thanks and here, here!Marla – you are part of my journey and I feel so blessed to know you. You inspire me, push me to be better and you make me laugh! love you tons!blackbook – isn’t it always better to celebrate most anything with a cake? thanks for all your support!have a sweet day!
Happy 2nd blogiversary to a very talented baker. Sorry I got to the party late…any crumbs left for moi? That cake looks GORGEOUS!!
congratulations on your anniversary!
Happy anniversary! I’m a bit new to your blog but look forward to many many more of your delicious blog posts.
Happy blog birthday, sweetie! You are definitely one of my top favorites – not only because you bake the most beautiful things, but mostly because you are as sweet as the sweets I see here.xoxo