Chris and celebrated our nine year anniversary this week. It doesn’t seem possible that we are fast approaching a decade of married life, but when I reflect on all that has happened in the past nine years I feel proud. Four kids, four moves, new jobs and business endeavors, travel. We’ve done a lot with this precious time.

On the day of our anniversary, Vivian and I had the afternoon together. I asked if she wanted to try on my wedding dress, and her little face lit up. Of course she wanted to!

Nine years ago I baked our wedding cake. It certainly wasn’t fancy and it certainly wasn’t gorgeous, but because we both love carrot cake it seemed like a nice thing to do. So, every anniversary I bake a carrot cake. A sweet tradition! I usually make a standard carrot cake (click here for the recipe I use the most), but this year – with Vivian as my side kick – I tried something new.

It was delicious – Chris declared that he could eat an entire pan of it – so perhaps I’ll make this version next year!

Carrot & Apple Cake

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 sticks butter, room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups shredded carrots

1 large peeled apple, grated

1 cup coconut

1 cup raisins or dried fruit

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.

Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (at least 4 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating well with the addition of each.  Add vanilla. Gradually add dry ingredients, beating well. Mix in carrot, apple, coconut and raisins.

Pour batter into prepared pan(s) – I used a 9×13 glass dish, but two 9″ cake pans would work, too. Bake for 45-55 minutes.

Cool and frost with Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 (1-pound) box confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix cream cheese and butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add in powdered sugar. Mix in vanilla extract.