Traditional carrot cake recipes have a lot of fat in them due to the oil. I substitute oil with applesauce and use whole wheat flour which makes a dense cake but it still moist.
Amazing Healthy Carrot Cake
Traditional carrot cake recipes have a lot of fat in them due to the oil. I substitute with applesauce, and use whole wheat flour which makes a dense cake which is still moist.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. apple butter concentrated applesauce
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar or substitute
- 1/2 cup brown sugar or substitute
- 2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 3 tsp. cinnamon
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup raisins optional
- 1 cup walnuts, or pecans optional (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F, 180 C or Gas 4.
- Grease a 9″ x 13″ sheet pan or two round baking pans with oil. An 8-inch pan will yield a thicker cake, a 9" thinner and larger cake.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the apple butter, applesauce, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
- Next, slowly add flour, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon to the mixture. Blend until all of the ingredients are moistened.
- Lightly mix in the grated carrots and then add nuts/raisins (optional). Transfer the mixture into your prepared pans.Slap the pans on the counter to help remove large air bubbles.
- Bake in oven for 35-40 minutes. Test with a tooth pick to ensure the stick comes out clean.
- You have a few options for serving. You can serve as single layer cakes or make a layer cake of the 2 round tins if company is coming.
- Frosting: the cake is just as delicious without any topping at all, but traditionally calls for a cream cheese frosting, then garnished with chopped nuts or candied carrots.
Notes
Simple Cream Cheese Icing
It is easy to make your own cream cheese frosting, which tastes incredible on carrot and spice cakes.
Ingredients
- 1 package full-fat cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1-3 cups icing sugar*
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large bowl beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Slowly add the 3 cups icing sugar, vanilla, Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then switch to high speed and beat for 2 minutes.
Notes
*This recipe makes 3 cups of frosting, enough to ice a double layer cake. If you don't need as much icing, simply reduce the amount of icing sugar, which will also increase the cream cheese flavour. Need more? Just add more icing sugar.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!