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Raw Carrot Cake

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I’m not normally a raw-carrot person, but the above was as dreamy as it looks. And now I’m still dreaming about it! I almost didn’t make it, though. When I looked through the cookbook, Raw for Dessert, I folded down a lot of recipes! Cashew Cream, Crème Brulée, Chocolate Pudding, and on and on. These recipes seemed simple enough, with few ingredients and steps. And anyone who knows me knows that I am intimidated by long-winded recipes. But this time, I decided to challenge myself: find a long recipe that sounded good, and go for it! This is how I settled upon the Raw Spice Cake, a recipe I normally would’ve shied away from due to its extensive ingredient list.

Raw Carrot Cake

(Reprinted with permission, with CCK’s carrot-cake addition)

Yield: one 6-inch cake (8 servings)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup raw almonds (unsoaked)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut (CCK omitted)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • Pinch ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup raw walnuts (unsoaked)
  • 1 cup raw pecans (unsoaked)
  • 8 pitted medjool dates
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or dark agave syrup (CCK omitted)
  • 1/4 to 1/2c shredded carrot (CCK special addition)

Place the almonds, coconut, cinnamon, ginger, salt, cloves, and nutmeg in a food processor fitted with the S blade and process until finely ground. Add the walnuts and pecans and process until finely ground. Add the dates and orange zest and process until the mixture begins to stick together. Add the raisins, maple syrup, and carrots, and process briefly to incorporate. Line a 6-inch cake pan with a parchment-paper round. Pour the nut mixture into the pan and distribute it evenly. Press down with your hand to compact. To serve, run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Place a serving plate upside down on top of the cake pan. Invert, then lift the pan off. Remove the parchment round. Covered with plastic wrap, Spice Cake will keep for 5 days stored in the refrigerator or for 2 weeks stored in the freezer.

cheeze3_thumb2

I frosted my carrot cake with Raw Cream Cheese Frosting and cinnamon.

Published on August 18, 2010

Meet Katie

Chocolate Covered Katie is one of the top 25 food websites in America, and Katie has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox, The Huffington Post, and ABC's 5 O'clock News. Her favorite food is chocolate, and she believes in eating dessert every single day.

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145 Comments

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  1. The Vegan says

    That looks divine! I love having cake for breakfast, I’ve haven’t had cake for breakfast in awhile, perhaps its an excuse to make THIS cake.

    This morning was definitely started with a yummy note. My breakfast was a bowl of red quinoa with blueberries, cashew, raisins, and a drizzle of agave. yumm.

  2. Marina says

    Mhm, carrot cake…
    I always had cake for breakfast when I was younger!
    Leftovers from birthday cakes and stuff like that. Gosh I miss that 🙂

  3. Faith says

    Hehe, I was THISCLOSE to having a cupcake for breakfast this morning but I realized I’m giving blood and needed something a bit more substantial/hearty…but that’s not to say I can’t have one tomorrow!!!

  4. Jennifer - jcd says

    Incredible! Cake for breakfast, especially raw cakes, have always been part of my ‘diet’. Why, just today I had CCK raw cheesecake with fresh garden raspberries for breakfast. Yummy and healthy – why not?

  5. Gloria says

    O..m…g… I’m drooling. I just put “MAKE CCK RAW CARROT CAKE” on my To Do list for this weekend. YUMMM!!

  6. emma says

    that looks fabulous! I eat the same thing for breakfast everyday, maybe I’ll switch it up and try some healthy cake instead!

  7. Erika says

    I have a bunch of friends that tell me the day after their birthday they always have cake for breakfast and I was surprised…Cake for Breakfast? My parents would never let me do that! I am happy I have such health-concious parents – I won’t have to worry about breaking unhealthy food habits when I am older!

  8. tastyandtrim says

    I love carrot cake and that one looks amazing!! I used to adore the carrot cake that Starbucks used to have in their case and I would have that for breakfast once in a while..I haven’t seen it there for a while though 🙁

  9. Little Bookworm says

    The carrot cake looks amazing! Yum. 🙂 I started my day off with a bowl of Banana-Almond Butter-Cocoa porridge.

  10. Alex says

    And I thought a teaspoon of dark chocolate spread in my porridge was a luxurious way to start my day … I have been outdone by carrot cake!

  11. Alexis says

    That looks SO delicious!!! I started my day off with Kashi Heart to Heart and blueberries in sweetened vanilla almond milk (my favorite!)

  12. Cate says

    I had a sort of cake/muffin for breakfast too! I wanted to have it for this morning really bad last night, so even though it was late, i baked my chocolate-almond-buckwheat mini cake in one of those single serve sized pans. It was so cute and delicious 🙂 Ate it with a mango. But that’s funny you had carrot cake cause i actually meant to try a mini carrot cake, but it was too late that i decided to go with my usual familiar recipe.

  13. melissa @ the delicate place says

    holy yum. i will be making this soon. it looks divine and carrot cake is one of my fave flavors!

  14. Laura says

    Oooh wow! I was expecting a cake inspired oatmeal or something but this is even better!!!!
    I’ve not eaten cake for breakfast in a long time but a few years ago i would have jumped at the chance!! xx

  15. Stefanie says

    Lets say Yum together. YUM! That looks so good. I have not had cake for breakfast but if it is as healthy and good looking as your cake I may have to. 🙂

  16. Laura says

    Definitely not every day, but I have certainly eaten cake for breakfast. 🙂 However, I think mine is usually triple chocolate mud cake, so perhaps not *quite* the same thing!

  17. Molly says

    In the summer I have toast for brekkie everyday because it digests quick before a run but this morning I was out of bread so I had a slice of chocolate cake that I had baked last night (using Courtney and Whitney’s diet soda recipe) and it didn’t phase me at all during practice. If anything all the carbs gave me a major energy boost!

  18. Mary @ Bites and Bliss says

    Nomnomnom!!!! That looks so freaking amazing, Katie! I’m sure I’ve eaten cake for breakfast after birthdays and what not when I was younger, but not for years. Oh my gosh, can I rip this from my screen?

  19. Danielle says

    How did I miss this recipe for raw carrot cake?? It looks SO good!

    I can’t say I’ve ever eaten cake for breakfast…it’s actually too sweet for me in the morning. Sometimes even fruit in the morning is too sweet- I’m more of a savory-riser!

  20. Katie says

    Haha, the NAME of my blog was actually coined because I used to eat cake for breakfast growing up! It was the one indulgence my mom allowed us, and I still treasure it to this day. In college, I always used to say “Yes, I want cake for breakfast!” – and then shortened my catch-phrase to “Yes, I want cake.” Too funny…I am looking up that carrot cake to make for breakfast in the morning. 🙂

  21. Rachelle Maciel says

    WOW!! this looks like the best thing in the world!!!!

    i loveeeeeeeeee carrot cakeeee!! omg..droooool. hehheehe. thank you for sharing sooo much! I believe this is my favorite one yet!

  22. Christyn says

    this looks AMAZING!!

    i checked out your blog this morning and this beautiful carrot cake keeps popping up in my mind….i will most definitely be trying this out in the next couple of days.

    would it keep in the fridge for a day or two?

    oh and i have had cake for breakfast…my wedding cake a few months ago. Sweet tasting food tastes sooo good first thing.

  23. SohdaLex says

    Wow that looks delicious! And I have started my morning with dessert on numerous occasions. I am not big on savory breakfasts. I like staring my days on a sweet note 😉

  24. Kiran says

    Yes, I often have started my day on a sweet note. Being Asian, alot of us have savories for brekkie… like porridge, chapattis and even a whole noodle or rice meal?!? I find that too heavy. Your cake looks sinfully delish!

  25. Frankie @fitnessfrank.net says

    well, seeing as i’m never fully awake before mid-morning, I have an apple at 9, then my REAL breakfast around 11. for normal people, that’s time for cake anyway! i usually roll with oatmeal and nuts, but occasionally i have a play around with my couscous, carrot and apple spiced cake.

    but i reckon your cake is happening tomorrow…. 😀

  26. Nicole says

    Thank you so much for sharing this raw carrot recipe. I made it this morning and it is soo good!! I added flaxseed to mine and also omitted the coconut and syrup. Everyday i so look forward to reading your blog! If it’s not too late please enter me in the cookbook giveaway. Thanks!

  27. Kiersten says

    I haven’t eaten cake for breakfast in years. I try not to have too much sugar for breakfast because my blood sugar gets all out of whack. I’d probably eat that raw carrot cake for breakfast though, it looks too good to pass up!

  28. keephangingon says

    KATIE, DID I MENTION I LOVE YOU?!?!?!?!?!?!?! THANKS FOR ALWAYS POSTING UP SUCH GREAT RECIPES!!! I’m so going to try out the carrot cake recipe tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!! I love that it’s RAW. 🙂

  29. 14yearoldvegan says

    Oh my gosh! I love you. Cake for breakfast? Who woulddaa thought! I’m def going to have to try this out soon 🙂 Me and my sister had made a carrot cake for her birthday late July but it wasn’t raw! But it was still good 🙂

  30. Healthy Tiffany says

    Hi Katie,
    I am a first time commenter who has found your blog so inspirational over these past few weeks. As someone who’s just starting the journey to get healthy, I love how your recipes are healthy while still tasting good at the same time. You do some amazing things with oatmeal!

    That being said, I am trying to lose a bit of weight carried over from before I started my healthy living. So although I would love to try some of the raw desserts that you and others often post, I’m afraid that they’re a little too calorie dense for me. Do you know if it’s possible to do a raw dessert, such as this carrot cake, and make it lower calorie? I know it’s probably not, but I thought I’d ask. I figured if anyone could pull it off, you could!

  31. marilyn says

    Your creativity is amazing, Katie. This is lovely, and I’m going to try it. (I don’t know how I missed it when you originally posted it.)

  32. Jennifer - jcd says

    I’m commenting for the contest. Why? Because I LOVE this cake, and cannot imagine what coconut butter icing would taste like – divine, I’m sure. If I don’t win, I’ll make this cake with the shredded coconut icing I’ve used before. Carrot + coconut = happy tummy.

    • Anonymous says

      I am also commenting for the contest. Lately, I have been making carrot cake oatmeal every morning -the greek yogurt topping isn’t quite doing it for me, but coconut butter would take it up a notch!!!

  33. Julia D says

    I am also comment for the contest. Lately, I have been making carrot cake oatmeal in the morning – the greek yogurt topping isn’t quite doing it for me, but coconut butter would be amazing!!!

  34. Lauren B says

    THIS LOOKS SO GOOD. I would love to win some Artisana Nut Butters and try to create some fabulous concoctions you come up with! MMMMM 🙂

  35. Lauren says

    I made this cake last month and it was AMAZING. I would love to try it with some of the Artisana products next time …either incorporated into the cake or just poured over top 🙂

  36. Liz says

    This looks absolutely INCREDIBLE! Seriously, my mouth is watering right now. 😀 I, too, am entering for the contest, but I believe I’ve found a new recipe to try in the process.

  37. Bethany says

    OMG I love carrot cake! Oh I so have to make this! This looks way to good to be true that this is a raw carrot cake. mmm healthy deliciousness.

  38. Yin says

    (Comment for Artisana Nut Butter) I love carrot cake and haven’t had any in a long time! Especially that yours is raw, it just seems really interesting 🙂

  39. Barbara says

    I’m so glad I found your blog! I’m known for my omnivorous carrot cake, but havent made it since transitioning to a vegan diet. I am so excited to try this cake and also the other recipes you have for that divine coconut butter. Pick me,pick me!!:)

  40. Melissa Staley says

    Oh, Katie, I do so enjoy reading all of your creatively yummy recipes! However, this delightfully delicious looking raw carrot cake always seems to captivate my attention. I would love to try some Artisana Coconut Butter. Thanks for sharing!

  41. Stefanie says

    This is what the coconut butter would be used for if I won the fabulous giveaway. I have been craving carrot cake and this is so much healthier then baked carrot cake. Thank you! 🙂

  42. Kath M. says

    I’ve made this cake TWICE now for my non veg/vegan friends and family and they fell in LOVE. The coconut butter makes the cake for sure.
    The only way to get this is to order online unfortunately, so I would LOVE to win some so I could make some more goodies ( a.k.a eat it straight out of the jar)

  43. Tami Jo Eaton says

    This looks so delish! I am printing out the recipe now–in the hopes that I win some Artisana coconut butter!!!

  44. Rina says

    ZOMG.. this looks amazing! Unlike regular carrot cake, this raw carrot cake is so VIBRANT in color which just makes it look more delicious. I am going to copy down the recipe now and make this soon!

    Lol hope to win some awesome coconut butter. I have never tried it!

  45. Vanessa says

    Wow! If I won the giveaway I would eat this carrot cake for breakfast everyday! You definately have an awesome giveaway, recipe ideas, and an amazing blog. Crossing my fingers now!!

  46. Valerie says

    I absolutely love carrot cake and I’m totally making this recipe for our Halloween party!! Can’t wait to share it with our friends!!

  47. Tricia says

    This looks sooooooo good!! I made your 24 carrot cupcakes, but i made it into a bread instead. Anywho, CHOOSE ME FOR THE COCONUT BUTTER STUFF! it seems like i can never get a hold of coconut…

  48. May says

    I wish I could recreate this as I love both coconut oil (yummmmmmm) and carrot, but where I live I cant get hold of any coconut butter :(. Love your recipes they are so simple and delicious looking!!

  49. Sarah says

    I’ve been wanting to jump on the coconut butter/oil bandwagon for months now. One day I actually held a bottle of it in my hands at the store and just couldn’t bring myself to buy it! The saturated fat is intimidating, but I’ve read so much more now regarding “the truth about fats.” I would love to try it out in this recipe.

  50. Shirley says

    I’m not much of a cake person, but I do love me some carrot cake! I’d love to enter this awesome giveaway! I’m so curious about all the different kinds of nut butters!

  51. Anna says

    Entering this amazing give away! I love this recipe but this butter is hard to find! Desperate times call for desperate measures:P I will think about this recipe all night

  52. danna says

    i’ve never had any nut butter other than peanut and almond. i am dying to try coconut butter. and i have to make this cake! raw carrot cake?! fuhgetaboutit.

  53. McKenzie says

    I keep meaning to try this recipe out, I looooove carrot cake! Maybe I’ll finally get around to it if I win that coconut butter 😀

  54. Cynthia K says

    Boy, I can’t wait till I can make some of your delicious carrot cake and slather it in coconut butter! Good luck to all but here’s hoping I’m the chosen one! lol

  55. Olivia N. says

    I bookmarked this recipe when you first post it and I keep returning to it and drooling over how delicious and perfect it looks. Now I just need to win this recipe to make the perfect frosting with artisana coconut buttah!!!!

  56. Sarah L. says

    I’ve been dying to try this recipe for quite some time but my student budget isn’t very coconut butter friendly at the moment, so this contest is perfect for me! hehe Thanks for hosting it Katie.

  57. Bethany says

    This has been on my “to make” list for a while and hopefully I’ll get around to it soon! Thanks for this contest Katie!

  58. Stephanie says

    I left a comment on the other post but maybe i should have left it here for the giveaway. But i would love to win 🙂 and im hoping to make the carrot cake when i visit home from college 🙂

  59. Elaine says

    I totally have eaten cake for breakfast. Even when it’s not pancakes or coffeecake, which are legit breakfast cakes. yummm if only I had a food processor right now to make this!!!

  60. Emma says

    I live in a small town in Northern Ontario where no one’s even heard of coconut butter! If I won it would help the humanity of our whole town! 🙂

    I think this recipe sounds most delicious – I am a HUGE fan of carrot cake and your recipe is so simple! Plus I would totally follow in your footsteps and have it for breakfast, mmmm!

    I wanted to thank you, Katie, for your simple but innovative ideas. Since I can remember, I’ve preferred raw and meat-free foods, so when I made switch over from vegetarianism a year ago, I thought it would be super easy. I did find it easy, but I also found myself very bored of the foods I was eating, very quickly. I’m a teenager who still lives at home, and so when I decided to become vegetarian, that was also making the decision to cook all my own food. Little ideas like your melted banana trick (I had oatmeal this week with melted banana, peanut butter, pecans, cinnamon and a pinch of brown sugar mixed in… it tasted and smelled so perfect and gourmet that I’m probably going to have to have it again tomorrow!) which I never would of thought of, or your new vegan ice cream (today after school I had a strawberry version). I really appreciate your posts and I like how honest and down to earth you seem. Keep blogging!

  61. Andrea says

    I definitely want to try this stuff. You speak so highly of it. I also love carrot cake and have not had it in a very long time because I do the vegan and gluten-free thing now. I would love to make this and blow my family away with it these upcoming holidays. They always look forward to (and sometimes approach with hesitation until they try it) the different foods that I make. Thanks for the give-a-way. 🙂 🙂 Have a great day!

  62. Erica says

    This recipe has been on my “to make” list for ages. Would you believe that I’ve never even tasted coconut butter before? I can’t wait until I finally manage to get a jar (getting any nut butter other than PB in my podunk town involves pleading with store managers and minor bribery)
    Thank you so much for the giveaway.

  63. elaine says

    you have done what i previously considered the impossible – made a healthy, great tasting carrot cake. i LOVE my carrot cake and this is a delicious take on it. now i really can have my cake and eat it too!

  64. Emi says

    I’m new to being vegan and since I’ve discovered your blog I’ve been dreaming about this cake. I miss desserts for breakfast, but I think this will do the trick:)

  65. Mary says

    commenting specifically for the coconut butter giveaway… but can I just say I LOVE carrot cake?? Can’t wait to try this recipe!

  66. Andy says

    oh my bejeezus–this looks so unbelievable, and raw too?!. and carrot cake is my bf’s FAVORITE dessert. I gotta win me some coconut butter so I can give it a try. 🙂

  67. Cakes Port Elizabeth says

    With havin so much content and articles do you ever run into any issues of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any techniques to help reduce content from being ripped off? I’d definitely appreciate it.

    • Chocolate-Covered Katie says

      Unfortunately, I run into it almost daily. Especially with tumblr, there are hundreds of blogs that copy/paste others’ recipes and photos with no credit :(. You can fill out a DMCA takedown form or contact host providers, but if your blog gets big enough there are just too many instances for you to be able to even know about them all, let alone do something about every one. It’s really unfortunate, but I don’t have a solution for you. I wish I did!

  68. Emily says

    Hi Katie,
    If I omit the 1/2 Cup shredded coconut (like you did), do I need to substitute anything else in its place? (since it takes up 1/2 cups…)
    I want to make this for my friend’s birthday tomorrow and I’m kind of freaking out about this!

  69. Emily says

    1 more question: will I need to double the frosting recipe for this? (I noticed you wrote that the frosting makes a small batch)
    Thanks a bunch

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