Raw Carrot Cake (Vegan, Gluten Free, No Added Sugar)

Looking for something healthy and decadent? Try this raw carrot cake. 100% vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free. Click the photo for the full recipe.

Ingredients:

Carrot Cake

• 2 1/2 cup shredded carrots, about 3-4 large carrots
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 3/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• pinch of salt

Cashew Cream Frosting

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tbsp raw agave nectar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
• walnuts and extra cinnamon for finish

Instructions:

1. Line an 8×8 square baking dish (or equally sized pan) with parchment paper letting the edges hang over the sides of the pan.
2. By hand or with a food processor using the grating attachment, shred the carrots. Place them in a large bowl and set aside. Clean out the food processor and switch to the blade attachment. Blend together the walnuts and dates into a uniform crumb; it should sticks together when pressed between your fingers. Add carrots, coconut, spices, and salt and blend again, scraping down the sides as needed, until the carrots are fully incorporated.
3. Press the cake into the prepared pan, smooth over the top, and place in the freezer while making the cream cheese frosting.
4. To make the cream cheese frosting, combine cashews, water, agave nectar or maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and lemon juice in a high-powered blender. Blend until silky smooth. Add coconut oil and blend to combine. Pour onto the chilled cake and smooth the top. Cover in plastic wrap and freeze for at least 2 hours.
5. When ready to serve, remove the cake from freezer. To release it from pan, pull up the sides of the parchment paper. Top with walnuts and dust with cinnamon. Let it thaw 10 minutes at room temperature.
6. With a hot, sharp knife cut cake into 2 x 2-inch pieces. If the cake is very frozen, let it thaw an additional 15 minutes before serving.

Notes:

If you don't have a high-powered blender, soak the cashews for at least 6 hours before preparing the cake. When soft, drain and rinse the cashews and blend them in your blender or food processor until completely smooth. Depending on the strength of your blender this make take up to 10 minutes.

Maple syrup is not considered a raw ingredient although many raw foodists will still eat it. If you are strictly raw, substitute agave nectar for the maple syrup.