Lisa Lillien is the author of the popular Hungry Girl website andemail newsletter, featuring smart, funny advice on guilt-free eating. She is also the author ofthirteen books, six of which debuted at number one on theNew York TimesBest Sellers list. Read herPEOPLE.comblog every Monday for slimmed-down celebrity recipes and more.I love a good shortcut. And when it comes to baking, I’m all about doctoring up boxed cake mix to give it homemade tastewithout adding unnecessary calories. Go on: Impress your pals, family members and neighbors with this one.First-Rate Frosted Carrot CakeServes 8⅓ cup reduced-fat cream cheese3 Tbsp. light butter½ tsp. plus ⅛ tsp. vanilla extract¼ cup powdered sugar1 ¾ cups moist-style yellow cake mix (about half a box)1 ½ cups shredded carrots, finely chopped½ cup (about 4 large) egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute1 tsp. cinnamon¾ tsp. baking powder½ oz. (about 2 Tbsp.) chopped walnuts1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9″ round cake pan with nonstick spray.2.To make the frosting, combine cream cheese, butter, and ⅛ tsp. vanilla extract in a medium-large bowl. With an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat until smooth, 1 – 2 minutes. Continue to beat while gradually adding powdered sugar. Beat until smooth, another 1 – 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate.3.In a large bowl, combine cake mix, carrots, egg, cinnamon, baking powder and remaining ½ tsp. vanilla extract. Add 1 cup water and whisk until smooth. Pour batter into the cake pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 24 – 26 minutes.4.Let cake cool completely, about 30 minutes in the pan and 30 minutes out of the pan on a cooling rack.5.Spread the top with frosting, and sprinkle with walnuts. (Refrigerate leftovers.)RELATED VIDEO: How to Make Funfetti Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache GlazePrep time:20 minutesCook time:25 minutesCool time:1 hourNutritional Information:⅛th of cake: 220 calories, 7.5g total fat (2.5g sat fat), 415mg sodium, 34.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 20g sugars, 3.5g protein‘Til next time… Chew the right thing!
Lisa Lillien is the author of the popular Hungry Girl website andemail newsletter, featuring smart, funny advice on guilt-free eating. She is also the author ofthirteen books, six of which debuted at number one on theNew York TimesBest Sellers list. Read herPEOPLE.comblog every Monday for slimmed-down celebrity recipes and more.
I love a good shortcut. And when it comes to baking, I’m all about doctoring up boxed cake mix to give it homemade tastewithout adding unnecessary calories. Go on: Impress your pals, family members and neighbors with this one.
First-Rate Frosted Carrot CakeServes 8
⅓ cup reduced-fat cream cheese3 Tbsp. light butter½ tsp. plus ⅛ tsp. vanilla extract¼ cup powdered sugar1 ¾ cups moist-style yellow cake mix (about half a box)1 ½ cups shredded carrots, finely chopped½ cup (about 4 large) egg whites or fat-free liquid egg substitute1 tsp. cinnamon¾ tsp. baking powder½ oz. (about 2 Tbsp.) chopped walnuts
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9″ round cake pan with nonstick spray.2.To make the frosting, combine cream cheese, butter, and ⅛ tsp. vanilla extract in a medium-large bowl. With an electric mixer set to medium speed, beat until smooth, 1 – 2 minutes. Continue to beat while gradually adding powdered sugar. Beat until smooth, another 1 – 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate.3.In a large bowl, combine cake mix, carrots, egg, cinnamon, baking powder and remaining ½ tsp. vanilla extract. Add 1 cup water and whisk until smooth. Pour batter into the cake pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 24 – 26 minutes.4.Let cake cool completely, about 30 minutes in the pan and 30 minutes out of the pan on a cooling rack.5.Spread the top with frosting, and sprinkle with walnuts. (Refrigerate leftovers.)
RELATED VIDEO: How to Make Funfetti Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache Glaze
Prep time:20 minutesCook time:25 minutesCool time:1 hour
Nutritional Information:⅛th of cake: 220 calories, 7.5g total fat (2.5g sat fat), 415mg sodium, 34.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 20g sugars, 3.5g protein
‘Til next time… Chew the right thing!
source: people.com
