Vegalicious

A couple of weeks ago Sprout was invited to her friend’s birthday party.  Her Mamma, Jena, is a gluten free vegan, who loves to make healthy treats for her whole family.  The entire birthday fare was healthy–low fat, whole foods, all plant-based, and all delicious.  One of our favorite treats was a sugarless, oil free, gluten free carrot cake.  I know it sounds like a mouthful, and could leave an impression that it was not tasty, but it could not be further from the truth.  In fact it was so good, that I asked Jena to make this cake for Hubby’s birthday.  We had mostly non-vegans over to celebrate it–all of them fell in love with this carrot cake.

I asked Jena’s permission to share her delicious recipe with Vegalicious readers, and she generously agreed.  I tweaked it just a little for my trial run.  It turned out delicious. A true guilt free dessert!

Gluten Free Vegan Carrot Cake 

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cup date or coconut sugar
• ¾ cup apple sauce
• egg replacer for 3 eggs (according to instructions on the box)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• buttermilk: 1 cup almond  milk mixed with 1 tbsp vinegar. Let sit for approximately 5 minutes.
• 2 cup grated carrots (3 medium carrots)
• 1 cup coconut flakes
• 7 oz crushed drained pineapple (1/2 can)
• 1/2 cup walnut chunks (optional)
• 3.5 cups all-purpose gluten free flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp salt

Preparation 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, or lightly dust the bottom and the sides with GF flour. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together date (or coconut) sugar, apple sauce, egg replacer, vanilla, and “buttermilk”. Stir in carrots, coconut, and crushed pineapple.
3. In a separate bowl, combine gluten free flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; gently stir in carrot mixture.
4. Spread batter into prepared pan.
5. Bake for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Remove from oven, and set aside to cool.
   

Once cooled off, the carrot cake should taste lightly moist; and it will be very filling.

Cake keeps well refrigerated for a few days.

Vanilla Frosting

(adopted from From Forks Over Knives— The Cookbook, with changes)

Ingredients

• One 14-ounce package extra firm silken tofu, drained
• 1 cup cashews
• 1/3-1/2 cup honey or 100% pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon or lime juice
• pinch of salt
• 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
• if you want to add chocolate flare to it, add 1 heaping tbsp of raw cacao powder

Preparation

• Combine all frosting ingredients in a high speed blender. Puree until smooth.
• Transfer the frosting to a glass container and cover. Chill for several hours in the refrigerator, or until firm.

I have plans to try this recipe with wheat flour, and also make it as carrot cake cupcakes.  When I do, I will be sure to update this post with recipe modifications and images.

Share!

Bake this delicious, guilt free carrot cake, take pictures, tell me how it turns out, and share this recipe with others, using social share buttons around this post.  Lets make this world a healthier place one delicious gluten free desserts at at time!