There are often all sorts of problems encountered when baking in someone else’s kitchen. Now I don’t mean to sound ungrateful because I’m just glad I can borrow my mum’s kitchen but as she’s not a baker I find that she doesn’t have many of the tools that I have and love. It’s been fine making savoury items for the most part (and I did bring my Kitchenaid with me, I’m not crazy to think I’d be able to do without it) but baking is another matter. This cake was one that was relatively easy to do but I was lacking one of my favourite items, my Microplane coarse grater and this cake has a lot of grating involved so there was a fair bit of cursing and elbow work involved.
I loved the idea of a Kitchen Garden cake as I am aiming to grow my own kitchen garden (albeit an apartment living version and I am rather handicapped with a Black Thumb) . Please don’t let the idea of parsnip or potato in a cake put you off. Imagine how hard the person that invented carrot cake would have had to have sold the idea and look at how popular it is now. With the heady fragrance of orange zest and cinnamon, you don’t even taste the parsnip although the coarse grating allows for little moist bursts of flavours. It also smells heavenly coming out of the oven and is amazingly as light as a feather. Sure it’s not the prettiest cake, it doesn’t even have any icing to speak of so a light dusting of sifted icing sugar was what it needed so that it didn’t look so “naked”.
This recipe is one of those fantastic Historical recipes from the National Trust in the U.K. and hails from the West Midlands and is based on archive menus adapted to the present day and palate. The best thing about it is that it keeps beautifully moist for days without losing any moistness at all. Call it the new generation Carrot Cake…from an older Generation of course.
So tell me Dear Reader, which generation are you from? Generation X, Y or Baby Boomer? And are you typical of your generation?
Kitchen Garden Cake
Ingredients
- 180g/6ozs softened butter
- 180g/6ozs caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 220g plain all purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 120g coarsely grated parsnip
- 120g coarsely grated carrot (about 1.5 medium carrots)
- 120g coarsely grated potato (about 1 large potato)
- 120 coarsely grated eating apple (about 1 large apple and just eat the rest around the core)
- Zest and juice 1 orange
- 100grams/3.5ozs low fat ricotta
Fruit and vegetable required-healthy no?
1. Heat the oven to Gas Mark4/180’C/350’F. Grease and line a 23cms springform tin.
2. Cream together the butter and sugar and beat in the eggs.
3. Sieve together the flour and cinnamon and fold into the cake mixture along with the carrot, parsnip, potato and apple. Stir in the orange zest, ricotta and juice.
4. Turn into the prepared cake tin and bake for 50-60 minutes until a skewer comes out clean.
5. Turn on to a wire rack to cool. Drizzle with an orange water icing.
Adapted from the National Trust U.K.
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now?
NQN on Facebook
RSS
76 Comments | Add your own
really interesting recipe. I m curious to know what it tastes like. Id I find parsnips I ll try it
What a lovely little cake! I think parsnip would be fantastic in a cake. Nice photos too!
Hungry Dog, Gen X
Hi this is my new blog if you wish to take a look
http://snookysrecipedoodles.blogspot.com/
That looks good! I never would have thought of making cake from potatoes and parsnips.
Wow Lorraine. You must have given your microplane a good workout! The cake DOES look pretty especially with the flowers! Are they edible too?
Looks very good… and I love idea of putting all those veggies in the cake, healthy
Sounds delicious, and it looks lovely with the flowers on top! I love carrot cake, so I could definitely get on board with this cake.
This sounds great – almost healthy!
I’ve made parsnip cake before, following a carrot cake recipe. It was lovely. I got the idea from Sophie Grigson.
Parsnip & potatoes in a cake? I am very curious to try it. And I do not mind cakes without cream. But it has to be moist!
Fantastic! I am definately trying this one. I love an ugly cake that surprises everyone.
That looks awesome. Think I’ve found my baking project for the weekend. I wonder if the hubby and kids will notice the vegies if I don’t tell them?
I love the little purple flowers on the cake! So pretty. I’m completely useless when it comes to gardening. I can’t even keep potted plants alive…
I’ve never thought that potato could make it’s way into a cake, will have to try this out one day!
It looks very pretty! That’s quite a bit of fruit and veg that goes in it… i think that makes it rather healthy
hehehe
I love vegetable cakes! Zucchini is also a surprise package in the cake department. I have made a chocolate zucchini cake as well as one with chopped dates. Thanks for the garden cake recipe.
I agree, the vegetables really make the cake moist and light and their savoury taste seems to disappear in the baking process.
In answer to your questions, I am a gen Xr. I will have to google what the criteria are though to tell you if I fit the bill. I seem to remember Winona Ryder, Johnny Depp and River Phoenix. Also flannel shirts, grandma dresses with boots, leggings (the first time round), body con lycra at Brian Rochford (the first time) crushed velvet, crucifixes…. Oh my they were ugly days….
Does that count?
Awesome! There’s so many vegetables in this I think I wouldn’t be able to help feeling a little bit virtuous munching on this! Though I can’t imagine having to grate this much vegetables without a microplane or a mandoline, I totally understand why there was cursing hehe
This is the best way to feel guiltfree about eating cake for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack!
Sounds like a great way to get kids to eat veggies!!
Hi Lorraine,
This looks great but when does the ricotta go in? With the vegetables? I note that the instructions refer to margarine. Do you think you could successfully substitute magarine for the butter?
Fabulous! One that I’ll certainly try..thanks
)
Aaaaahhhh parsnips! Actually, that cake looks very good, I’m itching to try this one out
.
I’m an X too – remember Johnny Depp in 21 Jump Street? (*swoon*)
Funnily enough I’ve been baking a ‘root and fruit’ loaf this evening. It includes parsnip and carrot and smells divine! Haven’t tasted it yet as I’m taking it to a Harvest Ceilidh tomorrow.
Oh and I made an Irish apple and potato cake last week – lush.
Next on the veggie/sweet combo is a chocolate beetroot brownie. Nothing at all wrong with savoury and sweet. Your cake looks beautiful and I may well give that a go too.
This looks delicious! I don’t mind grating vegetables, cheese is another matter though, and this just looks so moist and delicious. I think some long weekend baking is in order! Yum, yum!
I think I might just make this cake. I’m not averse to veggies in cake as they can work really well. and this one looks like it would hold up being taken to work in a plastic container.
As for generations – I get a constant ribbing at work for being the only Gen Y’er – tho being born in ‘84 I think I’m right near the edge! So I share some traits from Gen X too.
Parsnip & potato, eh? As weird as it may sound they are both sweet root vegetables so I can envisage the flavour…
Depending on what I read, I’m either tail-end of Gen X or the beginning of Gen Y so, er, I believe I have an identity crisis? Generally I behave much more in a Gen X manner, most probably due to conservative upbringing!
That looks soooo yummy! I really adore carrot cake and think I’d enjoy the heck out of this too.
I had to look it up but I guess I’m generation Y…I don’t think I fit most of the stereotypes though. I do rely on my computer and the internet but I also twitch at poor spelling and am always working to correct my grammar. I was also raised to be very polite.
That’s an absolutely gorgeous cake. I actually never heard of a cake with parsnip and potato but I’m willing to give this a try. Why not with parsnip and potato? Great cake. Thanks Lorraine.
Hi – this cake looks great and I would like to give baking it a go. Could you just clarify whether it is nutmeg or cinnamon? The ingredient list says cinnamon but the instructions refer to nutmeg….
Thank you
Good luck with your garden once you finally move into your new place!
I’m curious as to what it would taste like with carrots, parsnip & potatoes! It looks quite dense, but moist at the same time!
This is the first cake I’ve seen with parsnip. It looks delicious! I must have missed why you are at mums, but I had to laugh that you brought the KA! I suppose I am a late baby boomer.
A scrumptious cake, this is my kind of treat to try often
The cake pics with the flowers are gorgeous!
Cheers!
Gera
the cake looks amazingly moist, and i agree with steph – would not feel bad at all eating this one
Very interesting. Do you think it would go well with cream cheese icing, or is it better plain? Could be a great ‘deceptively delicious’ recipe for sneaking some vegies into a child’s diet too!
This yum looks delicious to me, and healthy! I have been tossing up buying the new Harry Eastwood cake book, but it is rather expensive – however, it has stacks of vege cake recipes in it. I am a Gen Xer, and I would say that with respect to my world view, I am typical of my generation.
I’ve never seen potato in a cake before – it looks very moist! i am Gen X and I think I am fairly typical of my gen – other than enjoying things like baking which are probably more frmo the pre-baby boomer era
What a beautiful cake! I love the combination of ingredients and bet it’s a nice bite!
I love the idea of this cake- so many healthy goodies all baked into one!! I totally understand about baking in someone else’s kitchen. I often end up looking like a bag lady hauling all my favorite tools with me!
Just a question – is that supposed to be 22g or 220g of flour? 22g doesn’t seem like a lot…?
Great idea though – can’t wait to try it. I often make chocolate and potato cake and zucchini cake and I find veges in cakes really help keep them moist.
Wow…that cake is impressive! how artistically you placed that little fresh bunch of flowers on top…
I don’t like cooking in other people’s kitchen, either. It took me a while to get used to the “kitchen” I have right now.
This sounds delicious =D. I love the idea of using vegetables in a cake!
That looks lovely and sounds like it would be really moist. Nice job Lorraine
Oh, it’s so lovely!
Hi Not quite
I have the garden cake in the oven as we speak and hope it will turn out. The recipe said to put 22 g of flour in. Since the rest of the ingredients make it quite wet I wondered if a mistake was made and you meant 220 g. I put 220 g in and hopefully it will make a cake not a rock. (rock garden cake)
Looks delicious! Definately going to try it in the near future but there’s no way i’ll be telling the family it has vegies in it!
Just a question.. in the ingredients it states 100grams/3.5ozs low fat ricotta what is that for? Is it meant to be used in some kind of frosting?
and in response to your question i am gen Y. And no i don’t fit the stereotype! I cook for my family almost every night and make everything from scratch – pasta, sauces, stock. No processed/microwave food for me!
What an interesting recipe!! Clever idea!!
The cake looks so delicioious & tasty!
I so love the vegetables too!
What an interesting recipe. I didn’t even know the National Trust had recipes on their site. *wanders off to check*
Katie xox
Lorraine,
You always, always, always take the cake with your cakes! I have always loved carrot cake, but am now looking forward to adding an entire kitchen garden…parsnips and all! Thanks so much for sharing.
This cake looks very inviting Lorraine. I may even give it a go, even though it doesn’t have any icing( one of the reasons I love carrot cake,lol). I’ll make one for my doll-making ladies at our next class and see their reaction
I’m a Baby Boomer,fond memories of Beatlemania,Flower power( not the drugs just the fashion , loving the psychedelic prints and Art haha),Transistor radios a must-have at the beach, etc,etc, etc
That cake looks so tasty. I think it should be sold as health food.
I have absolutely no idea what generation I belong to but I do know that I enjoy things other people my age dont always enjoy or appreciate, I do sometimes think I am a little bit of a nana but ho hum-
I love cakes with a lot of body.This one looks like it has a lot of texture. Beautiful flowers on top make it look so country and gorgeous.Lorraine, you don’t have to have a black thumb; anyone can garden with a little effort. It just takes wanting to make everything beautiful like you do with your cooking. I can give you a lot of tips at http://www.amaryllisofhawaii.com
Aloha,
Marilyn
♥
I’ve got to say, I’m from the West Midlands and I’ve never heard of this cake, but then it’s been quite a while since I was anywhere near a National Trust property to look at their books. It looks lovely and I’ve usually not a fan of cakes with veg in.
I do so like a cake that isn’t completely void of nutritional value – I will definitely give this a go. I am Gen X, not sure if I am completely typical….I don’t like to think so
Oh I love carrot cake and courgette cake so will definately try this. I also adore my microplane graters and was horrified when they both broke (handle snapped off one, frame bent on the the other) but I can massively sing the praises of their customer care team who are sending me brand new, up graded replacements.
That cake looks delish! Cakes made with veggies are totally underrated. I read on wiki that Gen Y has “a reputation for being somewhat peer-oriented due to easier facilitation of communication through technology”, so I suppose I fit the bill. I’m not sure if most gen y people like to wear aprons and cook all day though. Guess I get that from my mom.
I do not like cakes made from veggies. I just do not like the taste.. But the pictures you have in there makes me wonder.
I love carrot cake and in New York I had a chocolate and beetroot cake. Hmm I would definately try parsnips in a cake. You never know till you try it. Your cake looks great.
Katherine: Thanks! I’m gonna try then.
What a lovely cake daaaaahling, and I love how you dressed it up with the fresh flowers, that makes it so pretty. I’m going to try that sometime.
It does look lovely, I have never made a cake with veg, not even carrot cake.
I’m a Gen-Xer, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to be like.
From what I’ve read in newspaper articles etc, I think it just means that you have to whinge a lot about Baby Boomers and Gen-Yers! so in that way I don’t seem to fit ;o)
The flowers are so lovely. They are a much better (and healthier) way of keeping the cake from looking ‘naked’!
vat a lovely preety sweet treat L! never tried this way ever!! i shud giv a try as this comes with both fruits and vigies!
thanx for sharing friend!
cheers!
Oh my! Veggies in a cake – even more reason to try this out. I’m a little sceptical about the potato though – but it’s worth a try!
I love adding fruits/veggies to cakes, definitely makes me feel better about eating more!
This looks really moist and flavorful, which is my kind of cake.
HiLorraine ,
i love the moist of this cake !!
Today this is French “Haute couture ” in my cuisine ! so come and see me see you !!! Pierre
Beautiful! I’ve got to give this recipe a try! Looks wonderful. Fabulous pictures.
I’m a baby boomer and think I’m a very typical baby boomer.
that’s a lot of healthy stuff in one cake, lorraine. i don’t know–it might be too good for me for me to convince myself that it’s delicious. nah, never mind. there’re plenty of reasons for me to love this–you don’t have to twist my arm!
what a great cake – all the things I love in cake (except grating – I can do without that) – will be looking forward to trying it
I’ll be giving this a try for sure, I know I’d love it! Funny, I was just reading a recipe for parsnip cake. Yours looks so pretty with the flowers on top
oh i love this! so rustic and homey.
can i have a slice please? i’d chooose cakes like this over a devil’s food cake, etc. x
Love the idea of a kitchen garden cake
I made a cake recently that was decorated to look like a garden on top. Good thinking, having the garden feature in the interior instead.
oooooooh this is reminiscent of what we on this side of the world call pone. There isn’t any parsnip or carrot in ours but sweet potatoes, pumpkin, coconut, raisins and cassava. A very dense but yummy cake.
Wow, I’ve never seen parsnip in a cake before – great idea! Your cake look delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Never heard of a kitchen garden cake before! Though I have had a potato cake and one made with tomato soup!
I am Gen X although I think my cooking is more Baby Boomer, thanks to my mother and the Woman’s Weekly Cookbooks.
I made this cake on the weekend and it was really lovely and moistly dense. I love it because it is not ridiculously sweet and has a beautiful orange and cinnamon flavour. I made an orange icing glaze for mine which I think was not necessary as there was too much going on.
Yum, yum thanks for the recipe!
These National Trust recipes are really cool! I like the idea of apple and parsnip in your carrot cake, and it would be beautifully moist.
Hi snooky doodle -Thankyou! It tastes really moist but there isn’t a strong vegetable taste
Hi hungry dog-Thankyou so much!
Hi Palidor_Yes it was a first for me too!
Hi trissa-Haha I wish I had the microplane!
No sadly the flowers aren’t! 
HI Margot-Thankyou so much and I’m sure it makes it healthier!
Hi Lisa-Thans so much! It looked a bit plain without them
It’s definitely in carrot cake territory!
Hi Caitlin-I agree!
OH cool, I bet it is quite similar! 
Hi Penny-It’s true!
Oh this is definitely moist! 
Hi Theresa-It should be in the ugly but delicious section
Hi MrsDesperate-Thankyou! I be they don’t really!
Hi Su-yin-Thanks so much
Me neither,they were my mum’s! 
IT adds a real moistness 
Hi Anita-Thankyou! Yep agreed, so it’s kind of like a diet cake?
Hi Romaverona-Yup agreed with zucchini
yum dates are so delicious in cakes! Yes there’s no such bitterness is there? Haha me too! I remember when Johnny Depp was in 21 Jump Street! 
That definitely counts!
Hi Steph-Yes I think one couldn’t help it. After all it keeps it moist!
Haha yes once I started I realised that I should have waited until I got the microplane aback! 
Hi The Duo Dishes-Guiltfree, healthy cake! What could be better?
Hi Eliza-Indeed! It would be a great way to do it
Hi Amanda-Sorry that was my amendment to the recipe so I’ve changed it now
And yes you definitely could, I used butter 
Hi Elaine-Wonderful!
Hi Shaz-If you do, I’d love to know what you think of it
Ooh yes I was just thinking about that! That floppy hair 
Hi Rachael-haha I love that name!
They both sound lovely. Thanks! 
Hi Kym-I prefer someone else to do it quite honestly
Fantastic, I’d love to know what you think of it! 
Hi Esz-Oh you should!
It’s really lovely and moist 
Yep that’s right, it’s not as delicate as some cakes are. Haha ok cool! Best of both worlds? 
Hi ms delicieuse-It’s true!
Somehow they work. Ahh right, nothing wrong with that! 
Hi anna-Oh if you’re a carrot cake fan dare I say you might like this too
Ahh sound like you do have the best traits of each! 
Hi Divina-Thankyou so much!
It’s definitely worth giving a try 
Hi Kimberley-Sorry I used cinnamon but you could use either really
Hi Rilsta-Hehe I hope it works! My black thumb and all…
Yes that’s how it is exactly! 
Hi Barbara-We were at my parent’s house as we were renovating but now we’re in our new place. Haha I had to, I can’t do without it
Ahh cool!
Hi Gera-Thankyou so much!
Hi Betty-Thanks so much and yes it’s a healthy cake right?
Hi Alison-Haha what doesn’t?
Seriously yes although it doesn’t really need it. Yes it’s a goody! 
Hi Cakelaw-OH sounds great, I’ll be sure to check it out
Cool! I am very Gen X too 
Hi Tammy-It was so moist-so lovely! Ahh really, so baking isn’t a Gen X thing? Ah well there I was thinking I was so typical
Hi Julia-Thankyou so much!
Hi Lisa-Thankyou!
Haha I know the feeling! 
Hi Sian-Sorry that should be 220g of flour-arrgh! Yes they really do don’t they
Hi sophia-Thankyou! It looked so plain otherwise
Yes I’m getting used to my new one too! 
Hi Lauren-Thankyou so much!
Hi Renee-Thanks for your kind words!
Hi Sum-Thanks so much!
Hi Nancy-Ahh yes you were right to put in 220grams!
Hi Sarah-Thankyou! Hehe that can be your little secret
Sorry I had a terrible time writing out this recipe. It’s now been corrected thankyou 
Ahh that definitely doesn’t sound very Gen Y! 
Hi Sophie-Thanks so much!
Hi Katie-Yes I was a new one to me until a while back but it’s a great idea
xxx
Hi MessyKitchen.ca-Aww you are too kind! I hope you like it and I’m sure you’ll do a beautiful job with it!
Very cool stuff and hehe with the Flower Powder fashion not the drugs 
Hi Matilda-Haha well you can add it if you like
Hi sandra-Absolutely!
I feel the same way too but then at times I feel rather immature 
Hi Marilyn-Yes this definitely has it! Hehe my husband would say otherwise but thankyou for your words of encouragement
xxx
Hi Sarah-Ahh interesting! I thought this might be a common cake around your area
Hi Amy-Yes this one definitely includes plenty of fruit and vegetables! Haha nothing wrong with that!
Hi Rachel-Excellent! Oh no that’s terrible
Was it one of those plastic handles? Mine isn’t great on that one. Oh good stuff!
Hi Lizzy-I agree! Perhaps you’re a Gen Y with a difference?
Hi Bryan-Ahh well this one doesn’t have any veg taste at all, I promise!
The orange actually is the strongest taste 
Hi Katherine-Ah yes I’ve made one of those! It was quite nice and moist
Thankyou!
Hi Heavenly Housewife-Thankyou so much! It helps when it is ugly
Hi arista-OH really! I’m susprised as you’ve made so mnay lovely cakes
Haha really? Oh no I’m a Gen Xer! 
Hi Meg-Thankyou! Yes it looked a bit unattractive without it
Hi nora-Thanks so much!
Absolutely, you’re more than welcome! 
Hi Ann-Hehe yes! No please don’t worry, would I steer you wrong?
Hi Faith-Hhaa yes there’s that which always helps
Thankyou!
HI pierre-Thankyou!
Hi Lea Ann-Thanks so much! I’d love toknow what you think of it
Wonderful -many of my friends are! 
HI grace-I know! Naww you’ll love it!
Hi Johanna-Yes if someone else will grate it I’ll bake it
Hi Angela-Thankyou so much!
What a coincidence!
Hi Diva-Of course! Good idea
x
Hi Y-Oh that sounds so cute, any pics?
I made a cake recently that was decorated to look like a garden on top. Good thinking, having the garden feature in the interior instead.
I’d love to give that a go sometime! 
Love the idea of a kitchen garden cake
Hi Wizzy-Oh that sounds lovely!
Hi isa-Thankyou so much! You’re more than welcome!
Hi Aparna-Haha I think I’ve seen those tomato soup cakes! Wow!
Hi Kym-You sound quite similar to me. Oh that’s wonderful! I’m so glad that you liked it
You’re more than welcome 
Hi Arwen-They are very cool indeed and wonderfully moist as a result of the f&v!
lorraine
tomorriw I post my recipe also in english so I hope you come and visit me !!!
cheers Pierre
Post a Comment