Carrot Nut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients (Serves 8-10)
For the Cake:
- 4 medium carrots (200 g), grated
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3 large eggs
- Sweetener (optional, such as erythritol or sugar)
- 80 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped (reserve some for decoration)
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
- Small handful dried apricots, rinsed and dried
- Small handful dried plums, rinsed and dried
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 10 grams (2 tsp) baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- Cinnamon, to taste
- Nutmeg (optional), to taste
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 200-250 grams (1 cup) cream cheese
- Erythritol powder (or powdered sugar), to taste
Directions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (356°F). Grease and line an 8-9 inch cake pan.
- In a bowl, beat eggs with sweetener until frothy. Add oil and mix well.
- Stir in grated carrots, orange zest, walnuts, almonds, apricots, and plums.
- Add oatmeal, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Mix gently.
- Pour batter into the pan and bake for 45-55 minutes. Let cool completely.
- For frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth, add sweetener to taste.
- Spread frosting on cooled cake and top with reserved walnuts and almonds.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
- Pairs well with hot tea or coffee for a cozy dessert experience.
- Ideal for brunch, afternoon tea, or as a holiday dessert.
Cooking Tips
- Squeeze excess moisture from grated carrots if too wet.
- Substitute dried apricots and plums with dates or raisins for variety.
- Chill the frosting for 10 minutes before spreading if it becomes too soft.
Nutritional Benefits
- Rich in fiber from oatmeal and dried fruits.
- Loaded with healthy fats from walnuts and almonds.
- Low in refined sugars, making it a better choice for a healthy dessert.
Dietary Information
- Can be made gluten-free with gluten-free oats.
- Easily adapted to low-sugar or keto-friendly diets by adjusting sweeteners.
Nutritional Facts (Per Slice, Based on 10 Slices)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 8g
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 130mg
Storage
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Can be frozen (without frosting) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.