This easy to prepare cake is full of carrots, pineapple, raisins and walnuts. It is super low-fat, yet it is sweet and moist; topped with a frosting that rivals anything I have made in the past. I was a pastry chef at one time, so I have a fair means of comparison!
Vegan Carrot Cake
1 cup raw sugar or sucanat
8 ozs pineapple (crushed unsweetened, with juice)
2 tbsps oil (I use melted Earth Balance)
1 1/2 cups carrots (grated, lightly packed)
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
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1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground allspice
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Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend together the sugar, pineapple and oil. Stir in the carrots, raisins and nuts. Sift together dry ingredients then add slowly to wet mixture. Batter will be very thick. Spoon batter into lightly oiled 8 x 8 baking dish. Spread evenly and smooth top gently. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer cake onto wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Cashew Cream Frosting
1 cups cashews, raw, unsalted
4 whole dates, pits removed
3/4 cup soy milk
2 tablespoons raw agave nectar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Method:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, cover, and place in refrigerator for at least an hour. Pour all ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth and creamy, using a spatula to push down the sides as needed. Add more soy milk if needed to reach the correct “frosting” consistency.
How did you know I just got a HUGE pile of carrots in my CSA share???
hey runslikesnail, I think your CSA was conspiring with ours: excess carrots = lots of baked goods!
I love cashew cream frosting! It’s so much better than any store bought frosting you could get…
Yes, thank goodness for cashews! I enjoyed checking out your blog and can’t wait to try your tofu cheesecake recipe!–Melanie
Oh my goodness. I bought a huge bag of organic carrots last week and got 3 more in my co-op basket on Saturday. I was wondering what in the heck to do with all the carrots. Inspiration!!! YUM!
My mouth is watering!!
Oooh waw! What a superbly looking carrot cake but I especially love that cashew frosting: so thick & yummy looking too! 😉 MMMM!
Looks fantastic! Serendipity that you’ve provided a lovely non-dairy frosting to go with a gluten free carrot cake recipe another blogger posted that had a dairy-ful frosting. So between the 2 of you, I can make a carrot cake for my gluten free/ dairy free family. Thanks a bunch!
Thanks, Lisa. That’s exactly what I do, too. Mix and match recipes. The blogosphere lends itself so well to this type of sharing. Enjoy! –Melanie
The carrots in my garden are ready for harvesting, timely recipe, thanks.
Thank you, Norma. I hope you enjoy the cake as much as I do!–Melanie
I have got to try this! It looks so delicious and nutritious. I haven’t tried making frosting with cashews yet so this will be a fun experiment 🙂
I promise you will love it! No need for confectioner’s sugar again! Blessings–Melanie
I cannot wait to try it, thanks for the wonderful recipe!
YUM! We’ll definitely have to try your recipe.
So excited to try out this recipe very soon. I LOVE cashew butter so I bet this frosting is to die for.
inshallah I ma going to try this recipe and give it a karimah twist, keep up the good work and thanks for liking my blog too xxx
Reblogged this on Hippie Lessons and commented:
OMG this is making me SO HUNGRY!
Thanks for your interest and the reblogs. You are awesome! Many blessings–Melanie
I need you to take my photos of my food!! Yours are great. Me suck-ee!
Thank you for the comment. I am just starting to learn about photography. It’s great fun. There are actually quite a few youtube tutorial videos online. Keep up the great work! Blessings–Melanie
I will definitely be trying this recipe. Sounds delicious.
Thanks, Tashya! Let me know how it turns out!Blessings–Melanie
This looks delicious!!! I’m attending a pot luck vegan (American) Thanksgiving event next month… I think I might bring this along with a lovely Pumpkin Soup. Thanks for the inspiration.
You are welcome, Jessica. I hope you enjoy the cake as much as we do! Happy Holidays–Melanie
This looks delicious! I need to try it soon!
Thanks. Let me know how it turns out!–Melanie
this looks great…. Now to find a way to make it sugar free…
I’ve been searching for the perfect carrot cake recipe — alas, the answer to my prayers! Thank yoU!!
I love this recipe!! I have been looking for a vegan carrot cake recipe and I love the frosting, Thank you for posting this!
Thanks for the comment! I hope you try the recipe. It is delicious! Many blessings–Melanie