La Brea Carrot Raisin Baby Cakes

1/2 C. coarsely chopped walnuts

2 T. unsalted butter, melted for brushing the pan

1 1/2 C. unbleached pastry flour or unbleached all-purpose flour

1 3/4 t. baking powder

1 1/4 t. baking soda

1 3/4 t. ground cinnamon

1 t. kosher salt

1/4 t. freshly grated nutmeg

1/2 t. ground ginger

Just under 1/2 t. ground allspice

Pinch of ground cloves

1 1/2 C. light brown sugar, lightly packed

3 extra-large eggs

1 T. pure vanilla extract

2 1/4 t. grated fresh ginger

3/4 C. plus 1 T. vegetable oil

2 1/2 C. grated peeled carrots

1/4 C. crushed pineapple, well-drained

1/2 C. California golden raisins

Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 325°F. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until lightly browned. Prepare 12 mini-loaf pans by brushing them with melted butter.

Turn the oven up to 350°F. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, ground ginger, allspice and cloves together.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the sugar and eggs on medium-high for 10 minutes, until lightened in color. Add the vanilla extract and grated ginger and mix on medium to combine. Add the dry ingredients and the oil alternately, in three batches, mixing on low until just combined.

Fold in the carrots, pineapple, walnuts, and California golden raisins. Fill a pastry bag with the batter. Pipe the batter into the prepared mini-loaf pans.

Bake for about 20-30 minutes, until lightly browned and springy to the touch. Remove from oven. Allow cooling for about 10 minutes, and then turn the cakes out of the mini-loaf pans to finish cooling.

Makes 12 cakes.

Source: Nancy Silverton, Campanile