Carrot loaf cake

Total time:

1 1⁄ hours, plus cooling 2

For the cake:

3⁄ cup neutral oil or mild olive

4 for greasing the pan oil, plus more

1 cup packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1⁄ teaspoon ground cardamom 2

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 3⁄ cups all-purpose flour 4

2 teaspoons baking powder

1⁄ teaspoon baking soda 2

1 1⁄ packed cups peeled and grated carrots 2

(about 6 ounces from 3 medium carrots)

For the glaze: 1 lemon 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon finely grated carrot (optional) 1. Make the cake: Heat the oven to 350 degrees and set a rack in the center. Oil a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and line it with a strip of parchment paper that hangs over the two long sides. Oil the paper, too.

2. Add the light brown sugar and eggs to a large bowl and whisk vigorously until pale in color, about 2 minutes. Add the oil, cinnamon, cardamom and salt. Whisk until well combined and smooth.

3. Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda, and whisk, starting slowly to incorporate the flour without spilling it, until well combined and smooth, switching to a rubber spatula if necessary. Fold in the grated carrots. The batter will be very thick.

4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any big air bubbles.

5. Bake the cake until golden and puffed and a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Set the pan on a rack to cool for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, use the parchment paper to lift the cake out of the pan and set on the rack over a baking sheet to cool completely.

6. When the cake is cool, make the glaze: Finely zest the lemon into a medium bowl. Juice the lemon and set aside lemon juice. Add the powdered sugar and finely grated carrot (if using) to the bowl with the zest, along with 4 teaspoons of the lemon juice. Whisk vigorously until smooth. Add more lemon juice as needed to make a thick but pourable glaze. Pour the glaze over the cooled cake and let it set for a few minutes before slicing. Store the cake well wrapped at room temperature for 3 to 4 days.