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Okay, carrot cake has value for me, not only for the taste but also for all the feelings and memories it awakens! And this recipe couldn't be easier, faster, and with a result beyond expectations! Are you ready for a delicious, fluffy, and nutrient-packed carrot cake? :)
JUMP TO RECIPE!
Carrot cake reminds me of childhood, with a taste of rain showers and summer afternoons. However, when I decided not to consume eggs anymore, I confess that I left this recipe aside. Until the moment of thinking: "but what if I replace the eggs with other ingredients. How could it be?".
And the result is here below! A simple, easy, and quick step-by-step; with healthy and natural ingredients, keeping the best taste, but vegan and plant-based!
Perfect for a late afternoon, with family, with a cup of coffee, and who knows, a candle to create an even more cozy atmosphere?!
How to prepare
Some steps are crucial, and these we will see next! But here are some points to pay attention to when preparing the dough for the best result!
The first step is always to preheat the oven! That way, when it's time to put the dough to bake, we'll already have the best temperature inside it - which will guarantee that crispy crust at the end!
The dough is prepared in two bowls so that we have the best consistency. This step is indeed necessary, so I suggest you follow it.
Speaking of bowls: opt for a large bowl. This way, we can mix the dry ingredients with the wet ones, stirring less and incorporating the dough better.
Because it's a heavier dough, it's important not to mix too much. Just enough to make a homogeneous mass.
Cake frosting is optional. This cake is delicious without any frosting!
How To - Ingredients
For this recipe, some ingredients are essential. All optional or replacement ingredients are also listed below:
Grated carrots - the main ingredient! Here we can grate the carrot into a medium size. Note that the more grated the carrot is, the more liquid it will release. So, grating to medium size is ideal.
Applesauce - this is the ingredient that replaces the use of oil. The apple gives the consistency that the oil delivers and doesn't change the flavor of the cake. To obtain the applesauce, puree an apple in a blender or with a hand mixer without water. It will have the consistency of baby food. You can also find applesauce in the supermarket.
Brown sugar - is the type of sugar used in the recipe, which can be replaced by other granulated sugar. Brown sugar gives the final result a darker color. It's also a more "whole" source when compared to other types of sugar.
Whole wheat flour - the recipe is made 100% with whole wheat flour, and can be divided with oat flour or even white flour.
Plant milk - this can be made from numerous ingredients, like oat, soy, chestnuts, etc. In this recipe, it can also be replaced by water, obtaining a lighter and perhaps less creamy dough.
Fluffy and Vegan Carrot Cake
Prep time
45 minutes
Ingredients
1 and 3/4 cups of grated carrots
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup plant milk
1/2 cup applesauce (more info here)
1 and 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Frosting
3/4 cup pitted dates
3/4 cup cashew nuts
1 tsp vanilla extract
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 175°C. We start with the topping: using a blender, add the first 2 ingredients, and cover with water. Soak for approximately 45 minutes - during cake preparation.
2. In a bowl, combine all wet/liquid ingredients: vegetable milk, grated carrots, and applesauce. Mix.
3. In the other bowl, add all the remaining dry ingredients. Mix and then add the liquid contents of the first bowl.
4. Gently mix until the dough is homogeneous.
5. Transfer the dough to the baking tray of your choice (a round silicone shape was used here). If necessary, grease the mold in advance or use parchment paper.
6. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 40 minutes. Before the allotted time is up, check with a toothpick if the dough is already baked. If not, leave it for a few more minutes.
7. Unmold the cake and let it cool.
8. Back to the frosting. In the blender, add the vanilla extract and blend the ingredients, adding water gradually, if necessary, until it reaches the consistency of meringue/whipped cream.
9. Decorate the cake with the frosting and optionally add chopped walnuts, grated lactose-free chocolate, or coconut flakes.
In the step-by-step above the recipe, we have more information about the steps needed for the best result!
Did you like this recipe? So comment here below if you've already put it into practice! We'd love to read what you think of our creations!
