CARROT GINGERBREAD CAKE W/ CARDAMON FROSTING + GINGER FRIES

Ingredients

CARDAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING:
• 1 1/2 large egg whites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 3/4 cup (100 grams) powdered sugar
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup (175 grams) cream cheese, soften
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 small pinch ground green cardamon
• 1 small pinch ground cinnamon
CARROT GINGERBREAD CAKE:
• 10 oz (280 grams/2 small-size) carrots, grated
• 2 3/4 cup (400 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 12 tbsp (170 grams) unsalted butter
• 1 cup (320 grams) molasses
• 3/4 cup (140 grams) dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (65 grams) white sugar
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (245 grams) whole milk
GINGER STRING FRIES:
• 3" (125 grams) ginger
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp light brown sugar
• pinch of ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. UPDATE 2014/12/08: I made this cake the second time and found that it needed 1/4 cup more milk. So I've changed the recipe accordingly.
2. TO MAKE THE CARDAMON CREAM CHEESE FROSTING: In a stand-mixer bowl with whisk-attachment, or large bowl with hand-held mixer, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, powdered sugar and salt together for 6~7 min, until very glossy and thick. Large ribbons should hold behind the trail of whisk. In another bowl or a food-processor, whip the softened cream cheese for a couple min until smooth and lump-free. Add vanilla extract, ground cardamon and ground cinnamon into the beaten egg whites, then add 1/4 cup of whipped cream cheese at a time, and whisk until everything's smoothly incorporated.
3. Chill in the fridge for at least 6 hours until firm, or you can make this the day before.
4. TO MAKE THE CARROT GINGERBREAD CAKE: Preheat the oven on 350F/175C. Grate the carrots through the finest holes through a cheese grater (it should be finer than "shredded"), then toss them evenly with all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, freshly grated nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
5. In a large bowl, microwave unsalted butter on a 30-seconds-increments, whisking in between, until just melted but not hot. Whisk in the molasses, dark brown sugar, white sugar, ground ginger and large eggs until smooth. Then add the whole milk and the flour-mixture, and fold with a spatula until the batter is evenly incorporated.
6. Divide the batter between two 8" round cake-pan, lined with parchments on the bottom and sides. Smooth and level the surface of the batter as much as you can, then bake in the oven for 40~50 min, until an inserted wooden skewer comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 20 min in the pan, than cool completely on a cooling-rack. You can also make the cake the day before, wrapped in plastic-wrap.
7. TO MAKE THE GINGER SHOESTRING FRIES: Peel the ginger then slice it as thinly as you humanly can, then cut into shoestrings as thinly as you humanly can. Combine the shoestring-gingers with vegetable oil in a pot, set over medium heat. Keep the oil bubbling, in between medium to medium-low heat, and cook for 10~15 min, until the gingers are dehydrated, crispy and slightly browned. Drain well, then toss with light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Let cool completely.
8. TO ASSEMBLE THE CAKE: Smear a good layer of cardamon frosting between and on top of the cake, then shower with sugared ginger shoestring fries.