Name: This Blueberry Carrot Orange Loaf is all the inspo you need for your Bake a Wish fundraiser
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 80 min
Yield: 10-12
Ingredients: 1¾ cups self-raising flour; ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda; 1½ cups coarsely grated carrot (about 2); ¾ cup caster sugar; ½ cup shredded coconut; 2 tsp finely grated orange zest; 3 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; ½ cup plain yogurt; 1/3 cup orange juice; ½ cup frozen blueberries; Icing sugar, shredded orange zest, to decorate

Make-A-Wish Australia has launched its annual Bake A Wish fundraising campaign and it had me trawling through our foodie archives for something worthy of wish-granting.

Campaign Ambassador and self-taught Aussie cake decorator, Tigga Mac, is an absolute inspiration with her “colourful, fun, crazy and delicious creations”. Just feast your eyes on her incredible online presence!

She’s encouraging home cooks, workplaces, schools and community groups to get on board: to host bake sales, themed bake days or virtual bake-offs and raise vital funds in support of life-changing wishes for critically ill children.

“This campaign is very close to my heart, and I know how much difference moments of joy can bring to someone, especially children, undergoing what is a very difficult time,” Tigga said.

“I want to encourage all Aussies to … use their imagination and get creative in the kitchen, and help make wishes come true for kids who need it most.”

Now, Tigga’s fun and colourful baked treats might be just a little outside my expertise, but it had me thinking about how to bring the brightness in other ways – what do I bring to the (bake sale) table?

Some of my favourite sweet treats incorporate zesty, citrusy flavours. They’re a sure mood-booster (from personal experience) and make everything taste better.

I knew I’d found a winner when our Food Editor Karen Buckley came up with this Blueberry Orange Carrot Loaf. It might look just like your everyday sweet loaf, but don’t be fooled: it packs a zingy citrus punch.

I’m delighted to say that I’ve found a sweet and tangy treat that I’ll be able to whip up the night before and slice up ready for bake sale day.

Register online at Bake A Wish to receive your Bake A Wish fundraising kit. Host your fundraiser on Bake A Wish Day on Thursday August 27, or any other date in August.

See the recipe below.

Ingredients

1¾ cups self-raising flour

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda

1½ cups coarsely grated carrot (about 2)

¾ cup caster sugar

½ cup shredded coconut

2 tsp finely grated orange zest

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup vegetable oil

½ cup plain yogurt

1/3 cup orange juice

½ cup frozen blueberries

Icing sugar, shredded orange zest, to decorate

Method

Step 1

Grease a 14cm x 24cm x 6.5cm loaf pan. Line base and sides with baking paper, extending paper 2cm above pan edges.

Step 2

Sift flour and soda into a large bowl. Stir in carrot, sugar, coconut and orange zest. Combine eggs, oil, yogurt and orange juice in a large jug. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients, add egg mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Scatter over blueberries.

Step 3

Cook in a 180°C (fan-forced) preheated oven for 50-55 mins until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Stand in pan for 10 mins. Invert onto a wire rack to cool.

Step 4

Serve dusted with icing sugar. Scatter over shredded orange zest.

Lara Carlucci Editorial Assistant

Lara is an Editorial Assistant to the Food Editor for New Idea, New Idea Food, Woman’s Day, Take 5, and That’s Life, and an Assistant and Writer for Diabetic Living. A self-proclaimed food lover and qualified wordsmith, she has a passion for flair for food both on and off the page. When she’s not exclaiming ‘yum!’ for a living or tapping away at the keys, find her frolicking around the streets of Sydney, sampling food, and enjoying a cheeky ice-cream at every given opportunity!