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Raw Vegan Spiced Mini Carrot Cakes

Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 30 minutes
Freezing time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 12 mini cakes

Ingredients

FROSTING (optional)

  • 1 1/4 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup coconut cream or full-fat coconut milk
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 Tbsp date syrup
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp coconut oil

CAKE

  • 2 cups finely shredded carrots
  • 1.5 cups packed pitted medjool dates (measured after pits removed)
  • 2 1/2 cups raw walnuts
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 pinch nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour (or sub almond flour)
  • 1/2 cup currents/raisins (optional)

Instructions 

Frosting

  • If making the frosting (optional), pre-soak the cashews in hot water for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Rinse and drain your presoaked cashews.
  • Add to a high-speed blender (bullet blender is my go-to with the smaller cup) along with coconut cream, lemon juice, date syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla and blend on high until very creamy and smooth scraping side as needed.
  • Cover and refrigerate for 30min-1hour

Carrot Cake

  • Pre-peel your carrots and rinse.
  • Using a box grater or the grater attachment on your food processor, grate the carrots and set aside in a bowl.
  • To a large (at least 7-cup) food processor, add the pitted dates and blend until small bits remain or a ball forms. (Smaller food processors can be used – the ingredients just need to be blended in batches as to not overflow the bowl).
  • Remove from food processor and set aside.
  • To the food processor, add in half the walnuts (not all! We're keeping some for later), vanilla, salt, and spices. Blend until a semi-fine meal is achieved.
  • Now add back in dates, along with shredded carrots, and pulse in 1-second measurements until a loose dough forms and the carrots are just incorporated. Be careful not to over-blend. You’re looking for a pliable dough, not a purée. You want to make sure you can still see shreds of carrot, so go gently.
  • Transfer all mixture to a large mixing bowl. Add coconut flour and stir to combine. By mixing gently as opposed to blending in a food processor, you can keep a lighter, less dense, more “cake-like” texture. Once well combined, set aside.
  • Roughly chop your remaining walnuts, stir through your carrot cake mix.
  • You can choose to individually line your carrot cake mini muffins with baking paper if you wish, but it's not necessary.
  • Then add the cake mixture, and spread and press down evenly to pack. Use a flat-bottomed object, such as a drinking glass, to help press everything into an even layer. If the mixture sticks to the glass, wrap it in parchment paper.
  • Now add your frosting. Pour the frosting on and tap out any air bubbles. Then place on a baking sheet (to keep level) and freeze for 3-4 hours or until the frosting is semi-firm to the touch.
  • To serve, make sure the cakes aren't fully frozen so they're soft enough to cut (letting it thaw on the counter for 15 minutes should help).
  • You can store remaining min cakes either in the freezer or the fridge. I recommend freezer as they will last longer, you'll just need to wait for them to thaw a little bit before eating. Storing in the fridge they will be ready to eat however frosting my soften too much. Enjoy!
Course: Dessert
Keyword: dessert