I have been making the version of this recipe found in the KAF Baker's Companion cookbook for many years to absolutely rave reviews. I traditionally bake my own birthday cake every year, which is- you guessed it- this recipe (I'm a hardcore pecan / coconut / pineapple guy). This year for my 60th birthday (Egad- how did THAT happen?) I decided to experiment a little, so I hit this site and found the base King Arthur's Carrot Cake recipe as well as this one. I tried this one in a 13x9 pan to try it out and the middle collapsed. Comparing this recipe to the old one in the book, there is a difference in the amount of baking soda called for- 2 teaspoons in the book versus 1 teaspoon here. I never had a collapse using the older recipe- might this have something to do with it?
Oh - this experiment has also set off a friendly feud amongst my friends and family- those who like this recipe and those who prefer the older one. You know what that means - bake-off time! I would like to correct the collapse issue with this one first- any tips on determining the correct amount of leavening for these?

• Reply