Parsnip Sheet Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting and Ginger

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Prepare the cake: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch metal baking pan. Line with parchment paper, butter the parchment, then flour the pan, tapping out excess.

2. Step 2

   Place the walnuts on a small baking sheet and toast until fragrant and turning golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop.

3. Step 3

   In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until thoroughly combined. Stir in the parsnips, raisins and walnuts.

4. Step 4

   Spread the batter in the prepared pan and bake until the top springs back when touched, the cake is turning brown around the edges, and a toothpick comes out dry, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack, peel off parchment, and let cool completely. When cooled, invert onto a serving platter.

5. Step 5

   Prepare the frosting: Put the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a mixing bowl, if using a hand mixer). Cream the cream cheese until smooth, then add the butter, confectioners’ sugar, maple syrup and vanilla. Beat until well combined and fluffy. Spread over the top of the cooled cake almost to the edges. Top with the candied ginger. The cake keeps well for several days at room temperature.