Self-Care
I’m going through an intense time at work and have made a self-care commitment – a delicious baked treat every week. So this past week I was in a mood for a kitchen experiment and was delighted by the result – Carrot Cake/Bread 🙂 I love butter and believe that anything is moderation is good for you. However, I’ve always wondered about butter substitution in baked goods and gave it a try in this recipe. And yes, this recipe is eggless!
Carrot Cake/Bread Ingredients:
Chia seeds – 1 tablespoon
water – 1/4 cup
nonfat plain Greek yogurt – 1/2 cup (regular yogurt should be fine too)
honey – 1 cup (can use less if you prefer less sweet)
vanilla soy milk – 1/4 cup (regular milk should be fine too)
vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
orange zest – 2-3 small oranges
grated carrot – 1 cup (about 2 carrots)
salt – 1 teaspoon
baking soda – 1 teaspoon
baking powder 1 teaspoon
cinnamon powder – 1/2 teaspoon
clove powder – 1/4 teaspoon (can use nutmeg instead)
allspice – 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
all purpose flour – 1 1/4 cups (i use unbleached flour)
walnuts – 1/2 cup chopped (optional)
butter or oil to grease the baking dish
Directions:
Chia seeds – 1 tablespoon
water – 1/4 cup
nonfat plain Greek yogurt – 1/2 cup (regular yogurt should be fine too)
honey – 1 cup (can use less if you prefer less sweet)
vanilla soy milk – 1/4 cup (regular milk should be fine too)
vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
orange zest – 2-3 small oranges
grated carrot – 1 cup (about 2 carrots)
salt – 1 teaspoon
baking soda – 1 teaspoon
baking powder 1 teaspoon
cinnamon powder – 1/2 teaspoon
clove powder – 1/4 teaspoon (can use nutmeg instead)
allspice – 1/4 teaspoon (optional)
all purpose flour – 1 1/4 cups (i use unbleached flour)
walnuts – 1/2 cup chopped (optional)
butter or oil to grease the baking dish
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Which Chia seeds into 1/4 cup of warm water. Set aside for 5 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, Greek yogurt, vanilla soy milk and vanilla extract.
2. Which Chia seeds into 1/4 cup of warm water. Set aside for 5 minutes.
3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, Greek yogurt, vanilla soy milk and vanilla extract.
4. Whisk in the Chia seeds soaked in water and mix together evenly.
5. Stir in the grated carrots orange zest.
6. Add the spices (ground cinnamon,clove and allspice), salt, baking soda and baking powder.
7. Then fold in the flour little at a time.
8. Finally, fold in the chopped walnuts.
9. Grease your loaf pan or cake pan with butter or oil and then dust with flour. Be sure to evenly coat all surfaces with grease and flour to prevent the carrot cake from sticking to the surface.
10. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 – 60 minutes till the knife/toothpick comes out clean when you pierce the cake. The exact timing will vary a bit based on the form factor of the baking dish as well as the oven. Once done, carefully take out of the oven and cool for a few minutes.
5. Stir in the grated carrots orange zest.
6. Add the spices (ground cinnamon,clove and allspice), salt, baking soda and baking powder.
7. Then fold in the flour little at a time.
8. Finally, fold in the chopped walnuts.
9. Grease your loaf pan or cake pan with butter or oil and then dust with flour. Be sure to evenly coat all surfaces with grease and flour to prevent the carrot cake from sticking to the surface.
10. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 – 60 minutes till the knife/toothpick comes out clean when you pierce the cake. The exact timing will vary a bit based on the form factor of the baking dish as well as the oven. Once done, carefully take out of the oven and cool for a few minutes.
11. Carefully invert on to a serving tray or aluminum foil.
12. Slice and serve.
Hearty Carrot Cake / Bread is ready to devour guilt free!!!
I am thrilled with this recipe. How often does a cake recipe pack in protein, fiber, vitamins, veggies, a minimal amount of “good fat” and a whole lot of YUM! Each slice was moist and flavorful and just about 170 calories (based on 12 portions). The orange zest adds an element of freshness that I loved. It kept well for about a week. Simply warm it for 30 seconds before eating.
AND Lion King gave it a thumbs up, even with the carrot in it 😉
To self-care 🙂
