Today’s blog post is a throwback to the end of 2020. An unprecedented and challenging year for everyone, yet if you examine closely, full of silver linings. So here’s to spending more time in the kitchen in 2020 and the year ahead. I’m not a frequent cake baker, but this is one recipe I enjoy bringing to life because it’s one of hubby’s favorites. He doesn’t ask for much and I’m happy to oblige him with this treat anytime.

The end of year, when I’m able to disconnect from work for a couple of weeks, is when I look forward to spending more time in the OCK. This is the time of year I’m experimenting and developing new recipes and when the Organic Chew Mom innovative and entrepreneurial focus is high.

Cooking truly is a way to my family’s heart and I feel blessed to be the bearer of their delights. Now let’s get to the recipe because that’s why you’re here, right?

Dry Ingredients: 🌿

• 2 cups Organic All Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 cups Organic Cane Sugar
• 2 tsp Organic Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Pink Himalayan Salt
• 2 Organic Carrots (finely shredded)
• 2 tsp Aluminum Free Baking Powder
• 1 cup Organic Raisins

Wet Ingredients🌿

• 1/4 cup Just egg (vegan)
• 3/4 cup Organic Canola Oil
• 2 tsp Organic Vanilla Extract
• 1 8 oz can Organic Crushed Pineapple
• 3/4 cup Oat Milk

Directions🔖

• Preheat oven to 350C
• Prepare three 9” cake pans – cover lightly and evenly with oil and flour
• Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon in a bowl and set aside
• Mix eggs, sugar, canola oil, oat milk and vanilla extract in a bowl and set aside
• Add dry ingredient mix to wet ingredients and mix well
• Add crushed pineapples and raisins and fold into the batter
• Pour batter evenly into pans and bake for 60 minutes. Check with toothpick or cake tester tool for readiness before removing from oven.
• Remove pans from oven and allow to cool before removing each cake layer from pans

Frosting Ingredients 🌿

• 2 (two) 8 ounce packages of diary free cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups organic powdered sugar
• 1 tsp organic vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup vegan butter (softened)

Directions🔖

• Using electric hand mixer, mix together cream cheese and butter
• Add vanilla extract
• Gradually add in powdered sugar and mix until fluffy
• Spread frosting onto each layer of cake
• Slice
• Enjoy!

As with any recipe, modifications (e.g., sugar substitutes) can be made to fit your preferences. Walnuts are a common ingredient for carrot cake, particularly as a topping and garnishment.

Shout out to all of the expert pipers out there. This was my first attempt at piping and I found this part to be just as relaxing as watching the videos of the piping work performed by some of the amazing cake artisans I follow on social media. Mastering beginner techniques will take some practice, but I was satisfied with my first attempt and presentation. At the end of the day, none of my tribe seemed to care about presentation or piping technique when the cake was hitting their palate. It was going, going and gone per usual!

Getting the measurements right for egg replacements to ensure adequate binding of the cake when cooking can be tricky, but it’s worth it in the end knowing that my little one who has nut and egg allergies can safely enjoy a serving without sacrificing the flavor and so that everyone is a happy camper as they enjoy the fruit of my labor.