Preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas mark 3. Lightly
grease a 23cm/9in round cake tin and line the base and
side with baking parchment.
Sift the flours, spices
and bicarbonate of soda into a large bowl and make a
well in the centre. Whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs
and golden syrup in a jug until combined.
Add this
mixture to the well in the flour and gradually stir into
the dry ingredients with a metal spoon until smooth.
Stir in the carrot and nuts, then spoon into the tin and
smooth the surface. Bake for 11/2 hours.
Leave the
cake in the tin for at least 15 minutes before turning
out on to a wire rack to cool completely.
For the
lemon icing, beat the cream cheese and butter with an
electric beater until smooth. Gradually add the icing
sugar alternately with the vanilla and lemon juice,
beating until light and creamy. Spread the icing over
the cooled cake using a flat-bladed knife.