Maple Orange Carrot Cake

Carrot cake was my go-to cake in college when I was trying to make a good impression; I made several for my husband while we were dating and brought one to every wedding shower I hosted. This version is a single-layer affair, but orange liqueur and maple cream cheese make this even more sophisticated and delicious than the classic two-layer cake. Add some piped meringue and a touch of gold leaf, and your afternoon is officially elevated.