Celebrate National Carrot Cake Day February 3, 2013 at Benny's Chop House

CHICAGO, IL, February 03, 2013

Created by Pastry Chef Aaron Lindgren, Benny's Carrot Cake ($8.99) is made from a traditional recipe first conceived by Chef Lindgren's mother, Leigh Ann. "Using the highest quality ingredients with chunks of crushed pineapple and spices like clove, allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg, the cake is rich and moist but not too sweet. My recipes are all less sweet than most," Lindgren said. "The cream cheese frosting has 40 percent less sugar than traditional recipes, and with the addition of fresh Tahitian vanilla bean, citrus zest, butter and cream cheese, the end result is a very tasty dessert that's smooth, luscious and satisfying."

So pay homage to this storied, delicious indulgence. On Sunday, February 3, save room for dessert and enjoy National Carrot Cake Day at Benny's Chop House.

Carrot Cake History
Carrot Cake has a long and interesting history. It is often referred to as Passion Cake, and was voted as the favorite cake in the United Kingdom, according to a survey in the Radio Times in 2011.

Carrots have been used to sweeten cakes since the Middle Ages. Back then, sugar was scarce and expensive while carrots, which contain more sugar than any other vegetable except for the sugar beet, were much easier to come by. Carrot Cake reached a new level of popularity in Britain during World War II, when sugar was rationed but carrots were very accessible.

In the 1960's, Carrot Cake was the en vogue dessert, found in every restaurant from neighborhood diners to four-star culinary jewels. At first it was more of a novelty dessert, but people liked it so much that Carrot Cake became an American dessert standard.

According to the Food Network, Carrot Cake was one of the top five food trends of the 1970s. Over the years, with increased interest in foods made from wholesome ingredients, Carrot Cake has become a must-have on restaurant dessert menus.


BENNY'S CHOP HOUSE
Carrot Cake by Pastry Chef Aaron Lindgren

Cake
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
1½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
cup cooking oil
2 eggs
1¼ cup grated raw carrots
½ cup crushed pineapple (drain syrup)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream cheese frosting
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons butter, softened
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 fresh vanilla bean (scraped)
Pinch of salt
2½ cups sifted powdered sugar
½ cup chopped walnuts

Directions
1. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixer bowl.
2. Add oil, eggs, carrot, pineapple and vanilla; beat with a whisk until free of lumps.
3. Pour batter into greased 9" x 9" x 2" baking pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees about 35 minutes, until top springs back when touched.
5. For frosting, cream together cream cheese and butter; beat in vanilla extract, fresh vanilla and salt.
6. Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until light and fluffy.
7. Once cake has cooled completely, spread frosting with spatula.
8. Garnish with toasted walnuts and serve at room temperature.

About Benny's Chop House
Since Benny's Chop House (444 N. Wabash Ave., Chicago; 312-626-2444) opened in 2010, it has stood out among Chicago's steakhouses as a premiere gathering place where food and drink are served with refined excellence. Not only is this true of the delicious American cuisine from Executive Chef Jonathan Lane, but it's also true of Benny's lounge, which offers one of Chicago's most attractive atmospheres for savoring a fine beverage while enjoying the artistry of Chicago's finest live entertainers.
Benny's Chop House recently added USDA Prime Natural Beef to its menu, making it the only Chicago steakhouse to offer three varieties of Prime beef: USDA Prime Wet-Aged, USDA Prime Dry-Aged and USDA Prime Natural. With the addition of USDA Prime Natural Beef, Benny's offers the highest quality and widest beef selection of any steakhouse in the Chicago area. The several USDA Prime Natural Beef selections on the menu have quickly become highly praised, sought-after additions to the menu. Benny's pastry chef Aaron Lindgren finishes every meal with delicate and creative desserts, making every experience something truly memorable.
The restaurant is open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m. -11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. -12 a.m.; and Sunday 11 a.m. -10:30 p.m. Live music is presented Wednesdays and Thursdays, 7-11 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30-11:30 p.m. For additional information, contact Benny's Chop House at (312) 626-2444 or http://www.bennyschophouse.com.
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