A special carrot cake

A recipe from my mum for this Mother's Day.

Every now and then I share a recipe that I hold dear to my heart. And this carrot cake is one them. Not only is it ridiculously delicious but it’s also my mum’s recipe—and that makes it extra special. This is the carrot cake I grew up with. It was always placed on the table at birthdays, family gatherings, afternoon teas, and even made an appearance on Mother’s Day. We’d all try to help in the kitchen, pretending we were doing the heavy lifting, while Mum somehow managed to do it all with a smile. She’s a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to cooking so I know deep down she preferred it this way!

What sets this carrot cake apart is a few things. First, the olive oil. We’ve always baked with olive oil in my family (it’s the Italian and Spanish in us). It’s lighter, healthier, and gives the cake the most beautiful, moist texture. No butter here—just a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil that makes each bite tender without being too rich. It’s that Mediterranean touch that just works.

Then there’s the ginger. This recipe uses both fresh and uncrystallised ginger (which can be optional as it’s a little tricky to find), which gives the cake this bold, warming spice that cuts through the sweetness of the carrot and plays so well with the crunch of the walnuts. It’s got depth, it’s got zing, and it’s definitely not your average carrot cake.

And of course, it wouldn’t be complete without a generous slathering of cream cheese frosting. That tangy, creamy layer ties everything together and takes the whole thing to another level. It’s the kind of cake that feels like a big warm hug—just the thing for celebrating someone as special as Mum.

Honestly, if you’re baking for Mother’s Day, this is the one. It’s comforting, nostalgic, made with love and olive oil—just like Mum would want. Mother’s Day means something different to everyone. Whether you're celebrating your mum, a mother figure, or simply holding space for love and care in your own way—I hope today brings warmth, comfort, and a delicious slice of carrot cake to share.

And just a little reminder—my cookbook Garlic, Olive Oil & Everything Mediterranean is now available for preorder! This book is filled with the modern Mediterranean recipes you know and love, and it’s truly a love letter to the flavours I grew up with. Think comforting pastas, garlicky roast veggies, slow-cooked meals, and plenty of dishes starring olive oil (of course). If you've ever wanted to cook the way I do in my kitchen, this book is for you.

Every now and then, I’ll be sharing extra special recipes exclusively for my Substack subscribers. Your support means the absolute world to me—I truly appreciate it more than words can say. If a paid subscription is not your thing, I have hundreds of free recipes you can browse over at daenskitchen.com