Eye-Catching Carrot Cake - Made Healthy

What's not to love about apple sauce? It's sweet and fruity and even darkly exotic. But, wait... mix that with carrots in a carrot cake recipe and you have the perfect aphrodisiac to a droll day or week with this Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe.

Ingredients:

- Apple sauce - 1/4 cup
- Vanilla flavor extract - 1 teaspoon
- Softened margarine - 1/2 cup
- Iodized salt - 1 teaspoon
- Baking powder - 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Cinnamon powder - 2 teaspoons
- 1st class white sugar - 1 cup
- High-grade cake flour - 1 1/4 cups
- Soya cultured milk - 1/4 cup
- Grated carrots - 1 cup (about 2 large pieces)
- Finely chopped cashew nuts - 1 cup

Method:

- Start off by pre-heating the oven to 325°F. 
- Follow this by spraying a 9-inch square baking pan with non-stick oil.
- Continue by combining the apple sauce, vanilla flavor extract, (vegan) margarine, salt, baking powder, cinnamon, sugar, flour and soy milk in a large mixing bowl until the batter is well mixed.
- Finish off by adding the grated carrots and the cashew nuts.
- Make sure all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- Pour the batter evenly into the baking pan. Bake for an estimated 30 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean after inserting it into the cake. Another indication is if the cake springs back once it is lightly touched.
- Allow to cool for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
- Spread with Cool Vegan Frosting.

Cool Vegan Frosting

Ingredients:

- Room temperature vegan margarine - 1 cup
- Vegan powdered sugar - 2 cups
- Salt - 2 to 3 pinches
- Vanilla extract - 2 tablespoons
- Liquid non-dairy milk - 4 tablespoons
- Finely mashed and strained avocado - 1/2 cup 
- 1 small jar of stemmed red cherries

Directions:

- In a medium-sized bowl, cream the margarine until it is semi-liquefied.
- Gradually add the vegan powdered sugar and beat with a hand mixer on low speed for a full minute.
- Add the salt, vanilla extract, milk and avocado.
- Mix well until all the frosting ingredients are well incorporated.
- Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat for about 3 to 5 minutes more, or until the consistency is thick enough to spread conveniently. This will only be spread on top of the cake to show off the contrasting orange color.
- Spread the green frosting with a spatula over the Vegan Carrot Cake.
- Chill for about 1 minute, then add another layer of frosting for a thicker icing.
- Top with the long stemmed cherries to complete the look. Bon appetit!