Microwave carrot cake

Beat the sugar and oil together. Add the eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Add the vanilla essence and mix well.

Sift the cake flour, baking powder, salt and spices together. Fold into the egg mixture. Add the grated carrot and apple and mix thoroughly.

Turn the mixture into a large 2-litre glass bowl which has been sprayed with non-stick spray and lined with paper towel. Place the bowl on an upturned saucer in the microwave oven and microwave uncovered for 12 minutes on 50 per cent power.

Microwave for an other 4 minutes on 100 per cent power. Leave for 15 minutes before turning the cake out onto a wire rack. Cool and decorate with the following icing: Beat the cottage cheese and butter together. Add the vanilla essence and orange rind and mix well. Add small quantities of the castor sugar at a time, beating well. Spread the icing over the top of the cake.