Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 1 cup cashews ((Note 2))
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats ((Note 3))
  • 3/4 cup pure maple syrup ((Note 4))
  • 1/2 cup melted coconut oil ((measure when melted))
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk ((or milk of choice))
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon each baking powder, ground nutmeg
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon each ground ginger, ground cloves
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons corn starch ((Note 5))
  • 1 cup finely grated carrots
  • 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, (softened to room temperature)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon each: fine sea salt, ground cinnamon
  • 1-3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • Optional: toasted and coarsely chopped pecans

Instruction

  • PREP: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray. Set aside for now.
  • CAKE: Add the cashews, oats, maple syrup, and coconut oil (measured when melted) to a large powerful blender (Blend-tec/Vitamix) and blend until fairly smooth, 60 seconds. Add in the rest of the cake ingredients EXCEPT the carrots. Blend until smooth and creamy, about 6-90 seconds. Stop and scrape down edges as needed. Meanwhile, grate carrots on the small side of the grater and measure to get 1 full cup. Gently stir the carrots into the batter in the blender and then pour the batter into the prepared pan, using a spatula to scrape out every bit.
  • BAKE: Smooth the top with the spatula and bake for 28-34 minutes or until the cake is lightly browned at the edges and set in the middle (toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean). (32 mins is perfect in my oven!)
  • OPTIONAL FROSTING: Meanwhile, place softened cream cheese in a large bowl. (Give it ample time to warm to room temperature so your frosting isn't chunky.) Using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese with the vanilla, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar (beating in between additions) until smooth and creamy and to your desired consistency. Add milk and beat until smooth.
  • DECORATE: Frost the completely cooled cake evenly with the frosting. If desired, top the frosting with chopped pecans.