The phrase "In like a lion, out like a lamb," has crossed my mind several times this last week. As I write, the wind is whipping, and there is a lightning show illuminating the city in front of me. We've had some serious winds, warm temps, then a dusting of snow, then warm temps...you get the idea. And so that phrase about March and April that so many of us grew up learning is ringing true. (Let's hope April is lamb-like).
With Easter this weekend and March in full lion mode, I felt carrot cake was most appropriate for today's post. Miniature for extra cute factor. Candied carrot bling for a final touch. I adapted my coconut cake recipe that uses a blend of almond flour and coconut flour as the base that not only keeps things gluten-free, but grain-free as well. Loaded with carrots, walnuts, and spices, I was delighted how one cake transformed into another.
I have included the instructions below to make your own candied carrot topping or "sprinkles," but I think a dusting of crushed walnuts on top of each cake would look just as pretty. Or nothing at all. You decide.
Make a Salted Plains recipe? I’d love to see! Tag your creations on Instagram with #saltedplains!
- [i]Carrot Cake:[/i]
- ½ cup coconut flour
- 1½ cups almond flour/meal
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- ¾ cup coconut oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3-4 medium carrots, grated
- ½ cup raw unsalted walnuts, chopped
- [br]
- [i]Frosting:[/i]
- 1 ½ cups non-hydrogenated palm shortening (I use Spectrum brand)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (I blitzed my own unrefined cane sugar in the blender)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- [br]
- [i]Candied Carrot Sprinkles, optional[/i]
- 1 cup unrefined cane sugar
- 1 cup water
- 12-15 baby carrots or 1-2 peeled carrots
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 11 x 17 jelly roll pan with coconut oil and line bottom with parchment.
- [i]Cake[/i]: In a medium bowl, whisk coconut flour, almond flour, baking powder, and spices. In a large bowl, cream coconut sugar and coconut oil with an electric hand mixer until light and fluffy in appearance. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add almond milk and vanilla extract and stir until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Add dry ingredients to the wet and stir until all is incorporated. Fold in carrots and walnuts.
- Pour batter into pan (it will be thick), smoothing with spatula to distribute evenly and bake for 25-29 minutes. The cake should be golden brown and a toothpick should come out clean. Allow cake to cool in pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes before cutting out cakes.
- [i]Frosting:[/i] While cake is cooling, add the palm shortening, powdered sugar, and almond milk to a medium bowl. Mix with electric hand mixer until smooth. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- [i]Assembly:[/i] Once cool, using a biscuit or cookie cutter, cut out the first layer of cakes and place on a plate or cake stand. Using a piping bag or offset spatula, pipe the first layer of frosting onto the top of each cake. Cut out another round of cakes, place one on top of each frosted cake, and repeat with frosting. Top with candied carrots or crushed walnuts if desired.
- [b]Optional[/b] [i]Candied Carrots:[/i] Using a vegetable peeler, make carrot strips. Bring water and sugar to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Add carrot strips and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Strain using a slotted spoon or mesh strainer. Spread carrot strips on a piece of parchment and allow to dry overnight. You can use the strips to decorate before they are completely dry and they will be pliable. Otherwise, once completely dry, you can chop strips into smaller pieces and decorate as desired.
Amanda Paa
We just aren't there with spring yet either, but hope, hope, it's soon. I used to not like carrot cake as a child, but now it's one of my favorites. I'll always pick it out of pastry case (if GF), and something about how soft it is, and lightly spiced. I'm so in awe of the carrot strips you've made, so pretty and the perfect touch. xo
Tessa
Same here! Well, I didn't really like much in the way of cake that wasn't chocolate related back then...things have changed! ;) I am so glad you like the carrot strips. They were pretty fun to make! Hope you guys had a great Easter. xo.
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles
These are utterly cute and enticing! Although I lack the skill to make anything confectionery related I'm completely smitten with your candied carrot topping... you are so creative Tessa. Happy Spring - may the lambs be with you :)
Tessa
Happy Spring, Kelly!! Your comments always put a smile on my face. :) The nice thing about these little candied carrot sprinkles is that they hard to mess up - however they seem to dry up, they then get chopped up! xoxo.
Bethany @ athletic avocado
These mini carrot cakes look incredible! They would be perfect for Easter! There is something about single serving dessert that makes them tastier than regualr sized ;)
Tessa
Thank you, Bethany! I definitely know what you mean - I feel like that about mini foods as well! :)
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
I so agree, I hope April is is more like a lamb than March has been! These mini cakes are the cutest and I adore the little sprinkles on top :) xo
Tessa
Crazy, crazy weather! We need blogger friend get-together in a warm location. That would solve everything! ;) Hope you guys had a great Easter weekend. xo
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
Well, how cute are these Tessa! And we all LOVE carrot cake at our house, so these will definitely need to be whipped up soon! I love the candied carrot sprinkles too! Happy Easter!
Tessa
Thanks, Mary Ann! I always forget how much I love carrot cake until I'm reunited with it again. ;) Hope you all had a Happy Easter!
Tori
These sweet little cakes are so lovely and so flawlessly photographed!
Tessa
Thanks so much, Tori!! :) Hope you had a lovely weekend!