Carrots are by far the most versatile vegetable among the edible root crops. Although the most common is the orange variety, it does come in other colors such as purple, red, white and yellow. This vegetable is the basis of a lot of cake recipes because it is easy to cook, bake and digest. Not only that, the nutritional value of carrots is very high. What is even more amazing is, unlike other vegetables where they are more nutritious when eaten raw or half-cooked, the beta carotene in carrot is less when digested raw but enhanced when cooked or baked! Carrots can be used in cakes, puddings, jams, juices, soups, stir fried viands, stews and a whole lot more, including the following healthy carrot cake recipe. The distinguishing element in this carrot cake recipe is the zests of both orange and lemon. Very few vegetables, or any other food for that matter, agree with citrus mix factors, much less the lemon. Although we will only use the rind of the lemon, we will incorporate both the rind and the juice of the orange in this mixture. That plus the crunchy nutty ingredients will surely tickle your palate.

Ingredients:

– 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
– 3/4 cup cake flour
– 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
– 1 tablespoon carob powder (optional)
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
– 1/4 cup vegetable oil
– 2 eggs
– 1 orange, juiced and zested to about a tablespoon’s worth
– 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
– 1/2 cup raisins
– 5 dried figs, chopped
– 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
– 2 cups grated carrots
– 1/4 cup chopped cashew nuts

Directions:

– Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
– Grease a 9-inch Bundt pan.
– In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, cake flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, carob, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
– Make a well in the center and pour in the molasses, oil, eggs and orange juice.
– Mix until the dry ingredients are moistened, then stir in the orange zest, lemon zest, raisins, figs, poppy seeds, carrots and pecans until evenly distributed.
– Pour into the prepared pan.
– Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a knife inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
– Cool for 30 minutes before removing from the pan.

Here is my version of a very healthy carrot cake recipe that I saw on the internet recently. I tried to make it but found it was full of very disturbing ingredients, such as lard and chestnuts, if you can believe it! I took it upon myself to modify and test this recipe. I took out some ingredients which I felt were redundant and thoroughly removed from the essence of a good old homemade carrot cake recipe and substituted these with ingredients that are readily found in normal household pantries and cupboards (read – my own). I also adjusted the amounts per item as I strongly felt that the individual quantity prescribed was outrageously excessive. Plus, I exercised a modicum of change in the preparation of this healthy treat to better enhance the taste and lingering goodness of such a cake. The result was an ambrosial, sweet orange concoction which I would like to share with you.

Ingredients:

– 3/4 cup canola oil
– 1 1/2 cups sugar
– 3 eggs
– 1 cup carrots, grated
– 1/3 cup cashew nuts
– 1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained
– 1/2 cup coconut flakes, sweetened
– 1/3 cup raisins
– 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
– 2 cups cake flour
– 2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 tablespoon cinnamon
– 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

– Pre-heat your oven to 350°F.
– Spray with non-stick oil one 9-inch cake pan.
– Mix together in a large bowl the oil, sugar, eggs, carrots, nuts, coconut, raisins and ginger powder.
– In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
– Add the carrot mixture and blend.
– Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.
– Remove from the oven and cool for about 10 minutes.
– Remove the cake from the pan and cool completely.
– Top the carrot cake with a layer of cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

– 6 ounces soft cream cheese
– 2 tablespoons or half a stick of butter
– 2 tablespoons canola oil
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1 cup chopped cashew nuts

Directions for the frosting:

– Beat together the cream cheese, butter and canola oil until the mixture is smooth and light.
– Add the powdered sugar and the vanilla and mix until smooth and all the sugar is dissolved and everything is incorporated.
– Spread evenly and sprinkle the cashew nuts on top.

Carrots are high in nutritional value and taste great. Most people use carrots in salads and in the east, notably India, for making decadent sweets. Hence the humble carrot cake recipe is very much overlooked in this regard. The cake is delicious and full of nutrients, which is a real bonus when compared to other sugary treats.

There are a variety of cookbooks and websites that help with step-by-step instructions. Our Cake Recipe Secrets author’s have contributed a number of variations.

Make sure to note the exact types of ingredients as well as the exact amounts required. Innovation is also the key so be brave and add your own flare when it comes to ingredients, preparation and presentation.

One type of variation is the Vegan carrot cake recipe, which is a welcome addition for Vegan’s. Many of the recipe’s and ready-made cakes available use ingredients which some people are either unable to consume for health reasons or prefer not to for lifestyle reasons.

Another variation is the sugar free carrot cake recipe, which makes this cake treat even more appealing to the health conscious.

Of course there’s also the healthy carrot cake recipe, which not only avoids sugar but also incorporates other ingredients that provide a vitamin supplement like cashews or other types of unsalted nuts. These ingredients can help with palatability of unsalted nuts.

So if your family likes something delicious and you don’t won’t them knowing its healthy try some homemade carrot cake recipe. Apart from loving every morsel you’ll feel comfortable in the knowledge that they’re eating healthy as well.

So what are you waiting for just go ahead and find an exciting carrot cake recipe surprise everyone with its great taste. But keep the healthy stuff secret.

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