8 March 2009

Buttermilk Carrot Cake for International Women's Day




































IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. Each year around the world, International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. Hundreds of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women.

Organisations, governments and women's groups around the world choose different themes each year that reflect global and local gender issues. Globally this year the United nations is highlighting "Women and men united to end violence against women and girls". Here in Canada the theme this year is "Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality."



Thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women's craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother's Day where their children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
  • Globally women account for the majority of people aged over 60
  • Over 80,530,000 women die in pregnancy or childbirth each year
  • Of 1.2 billion people living in poverty worldwide, 70% are women80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women
  • Women own around only 1% of the world's land
  • Women are 2/3 of the 1 billion+ illiterate adults who have no access to basic education
  • Globally women comprise 42% Internet users (Italy 37% ... US & Canada 51%)
  • Women do two-thirds of the world's work but receive only 10% of the world's income
  • One year out of college women earn 20% less than men and 10 years later 31% less
  • Women on average are away from the workforce for 14.7 years compared to 1.6 years for men
  • 56% of women who voted supported Obama compared to only 49% of men voted for Obama
Celebrate the women in your life!!!!

I chose to make a carrot cake. This is not my usual light version of carrot cake, nor this version from Rebar, but, a full flavoured, sweet and incredibly textured moist and definitely delicious version.... but not for the calorie wise. It still uses very little oil which I really like. It gets a lot of its moisture factor from a buttermilk syrup that is poured on while fresh from the oven. My experience tells me this always makes for a delicious and moist cake. I have made this version for years!!!

**Buttermilk Carrot Cake**
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoon baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded carrots (4 medium)
1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts
3 eggs
1 8-1/4 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
½ cup coconut
¼ cup buttermilk
¼ cup cooking oil
1/-1/2 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup sugar
¼ cup buttermilk
¼ cup butter
2 teaspoon light coloured corn syrup

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and lightly flour two 9 x 1-1/2 inch round baking pans; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, 2 cups sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Stir in shredded carrots, 1 cup of the walnuts, eggs, drained pineapple, coconut, ¼ cup buttermilk, oil, and 1 tsp. of the vanilla. Pour batter into prepared pans.

2. Bake in a preheated oven 40 to 45 minutes or until cakes spring back when touched. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup buttermilk, ¼ cup butter, and corn syrup. Bring to a boiling; reduce heat. Cook and stir 4 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in remaining ½ tsp. vanilla. Pour evenly over tops of cakes. Let cakes stand in pans on wire racks for 15 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on racks.

3. To assemble, frost one of the cake layers with some of the frosting. Add remaining layer; frost top and sides with remaining frosting. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup walnuts. Cover; chill to store

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Beat two 3 -ounce packages softened cream cheese, ½ cup butter and 2 tsp. vanilla with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Gradually add 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 cups sifted powdered sugar, beating to spreading consistency.

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison. Best Blogger Tips

24 comments:

  1. Happy IWD Val. What a beautiful way to celebrate!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely Val! I really must try making carrot cake some time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous! That's my kind of cake!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Happy Int'l Women's day Val. It's woman like you that makes a difference in the World. I'm glad you became my blogger friend. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy IWD sis. I haven't seen any mention of this except from Marla. The most impressive fact from the statistics is that women own only 1% of the world land.
    Your cake sounds amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  6. lovely looking cake - i've never seen pineapple in a carrot cake before but imagine it'd be wonderful.

    happy iwd!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Happy IWD! I'm so impressed at how involved you are highlighting various global issues. Discussions about women and violence have been frequent in my home lately due to a situation involving a couple of singers that are very popular with my children and their friends. It's a horrible situation, yet it's given me the opportunity to show my girls and my son how completely unacceptable it is. ANYWAY ... your recipe today is completely, desirably, wonderfully acceptable! YUM! My daughter and one of my friends LOVE carrot cake! YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy IWD! This cake looks fantastic and must taste really heavenly!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am sitting here with a nasty cold and wishing I could have a slice of that fantastic cake. I know it would make me feel better.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Dear Vall Happy women day to you!!!!xxxGloria

    ReplyDelete
  11. Well thank you for this beautiful cake Val! I adore carrot cake.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy IWD Val! What a fantastic cake...I love carrot cake but it's been ages since I've had some! You have now inspired me to make some!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Happy IWD! Your carrot cake looks amazing... so moist and delicious. I love carrot cake.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those are some sobering statistics. Reminds me how lucky I am.

    That carrot cake is just beautiful! I love that you added pineapple and coconut. And the buttermilk syrup sounds terrific! I think I'm going to have to try your version!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a perfect cake for IWD! As if carrot cake wasn't delicious enough...add buttermilk (plus all these delicious ingredients---just look at that list!) and it's as close to heaven as a cake is going to get!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks gorgeous Val! Someday I'm going to make a carrot cake with the pineapple and coconut....and just not tell Grumpy! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Raise your hands ladies...be proud, be assertive but please keep on being women!

    The carrot cake is what...5 stories high? Perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  18. To 'dear' Val, Happy IWD!

    Your carrot cake looks delicious and yum-yum cream cheese frosting oh my *slurp*...

    Rosie x

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy International Womens' Day.
    Hope you pampered yourself and enjoyed your wonderful carrot cake.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wish all the Women around the world a great joyful Women's day.Thanks for sharing the delicious dishes.

    lol:)
    Send gifts to chennai|Send gifts to Bangalore|Send gifts to India

    ReplyDelete
  21. i could eat a slab of carrot cake for dessert every single day for the rest of my life and never tire of it, but only if cream cheese frosting is involved. for me, it makes the cake. :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a beautiful tribute. Now if someone would send me this by email instead of "send this to 10 women in your life or you'll have bad luck" I'd be thrilled. Now that it's cut - it's even more beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete

Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

This blog uses comment moderation therefore SPAMMERS, SELF-PROMOTERS and ADVERTISERS will be deleted.