A Dinosaur Train Birthday Party - Gluten Free Carrot exploding volcano cakes

Benjamin wanted a Dinosaur Train themed birthday party and since it was his day, I wanted to treat him to be able to eat anything he wanted.  I have posted A Dinosaur Train Birthday Party - The Food & Healthy Eating showing the foods we chose and knew would be eaten by everyone.  The following posts are the recipes we used to enhance the theme of a Dinosaur Train Party, complimented with character specific food labels designed using Stampin' Up! My Digital Studio. 

The Exploding Volcano Cakes were Gluten Free Carrot cakes with coloured icing dripped from the tops...

Carrot Cake - Exploding Volcano Cakes Yummmm, my personal favourite.

 

This Gluten Free carrot cake is recipe #1158 from Best Recipes
I don't think I've deviated from the original recipe but this is what we use and it is just divine.

CAKE INGREDIENTS
3/4 Cup Oil - we use Macadamia nut oil (yummm)
1 tsp Pure Vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup grated Organic Carrots
1/2 cup chopped Walnuts
1 1/2 tsp Gluten free baking powder
3/4 cup Rapadura or sugar of your choice
2 Organic eggs
1/2 cup Organic Sultanas
1 cup Gluten Free Self Raising Flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon

METHOD
Beat oil, sugar and vanilla into a bowl with an electric mixer until well combined
Add eggs and continue to beat until light and creamy
Stir through carrot, sultanas and walnuts
Sift flour, baking powder and cinnamon into mixture and mix well
Pour mixture into a lightly greased and lined prepared cake tin or spoon into muffin moulds
Bake in a moderate oven for 50 -55 mins or until cooked

ICING INGREDIENTS
2 Tbsps reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 tsp Pure Vanilla extract
2 teaspoons softened butter or Nutlex
3/4 cup pure Gluten Free icing sugar

METHOD
Beat cream cheese, margarine and vanilla together in a bowl
add icing sugar and colour with food colouring as you wish
mix well and use knife to spread over cakes - in our case we piped the two colours starting in the centre of the cakes/muffins and drawing the icing out over the side until it naturally broke, giving the effect of lava.

Now this is MY all time favourite, non chocolate cake and the ONLY carrot cake I have ever enjoyed, in fact I LOVE IT and will often choose it over a chocolate cake - yep I think it is that good.

Enjoy Gluten Free whilst you craft,
Love and happy crafting