But every now and then, even hard-working teachers need a break. Such was the case last Tuesday, when one of the teachers threw a garden party for the special-ed department. Mommy Dearest asked me if I’d mind making and decorating a cake for her event.
Mind? Was she kidding?! Decorating cakes is one of my all-time favorite activities! And so, I embarked on a quest to veganize my Great Aunt Connie’s carrot cake recipe, which has been a family favorite for generations. When I finished baking and frosting, the cake certainly smelled fantastic… but how would it taste?
Off to the party went the cake. I was a nervous Nelly all day, and when my mom arrived home that night, she didn’t ease my fears. “No one liked the cake,” she said, and my spirits sank to the floor from disappointment. Until I saw the empty cake plate… Turns out, the teachers didn’t like the cake; they LOVED it! It was the hit of the party, with everyone asking for the recipe! Since the veganized recipe is all mine, I got to name it however I saw fit. So I chose to pay homage to my beloved childhood friend, Bugs Bunny.
Bugs Bunny Carrot Cake
2 and 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup light brown sugar
2/3 cup regular sugar
Ener-G egg substitute for three eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups finely grated carrots
1 14-oz can crushed pineapple, drained
Optional: walnuts and raisins (I used both, and recommend both additions.)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt. In another bowl, mix the egg replacer according to the directions on the Ener-G box, then add the sugar, vanilla, and vegetable oil. Combine the ingredients in the two bowls, then add the carrots, pineapple, and optional ingredients.
Smooth the cake batter into a greased 13×9 pan and bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool, and then frost. I used the Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting recipe found in the cookbook Vegan Cupcakes take over the World.
A feast for Bugs Bunny… or for my carrot-loving puppies.
Boooring!
Ta-Da!
loveofoats says
Awww I’m sure Thomas had a blast and really appreciated you spending the time with him!!! It sounds like a great time 🙂
And that cake is amazing… just the decorating alone is so neat… you truly have a talent 🙂
romina says
You and your mother are two complete sweethearts!
The cake is beautiful, gosh, you are a cake artist! Have you considered making a career of it?!
arielle says
You’re really good! Looks awesome.
Sam says
That cake looks so pretty and fun! I haven’t had carrot cake in forever, but you’ve piqued my interest in it again!
Ruby Red Vegan says
Your mom sounds like a great lady! I guess you learned to be so awesome from her!
I love your cake — my favorite part is Mr. Sun. He looks too suave for words with his little sunglasses. Thanks for posting the cake recipe — I have a feeling it would make yummy little muffins as well!
I have an idea for our secret mission. I’ll bring the tutu, and you bring a cake, and I will spy and you will distract will luscious homemade sweets.
Ruby Red Vegan says
*Oops, I meant to type “yummy little cupcakes,” not “muffins.” Darn those typos!
Becca says
The cake looks awesome, I love the little puppy! It sounds delicious too!
herbstsonne says
Your cake is GORGEOUS! Do you make all the colored frosting yourself? How long does that take? I’m so inspired!
Ricki says
How could anyone NOT like a cake that adorable? Love the decorations, and the cake sounds sooo good–I think the best carrot cakes have pineapple in them. Lucky Mom and colleagues!
Jess - The Domestic Vegan says
Carrot cake is one of my absolute favorites. That sounds looks so delicious!! How do you manage to make them that adorable each & every time?
And you are so sweet I can’t even stand it.
Kimberly says
That cake is lovely; you’re very talented! Carrot cake = one of my all-time favorite foods; vegan carrot cake = I can die a happy woman. Extra walnuts in mine, please!
And I know you probably already give your mom a hug every day, but please give her an extra one from me sometime, because special education teachers are saints!! I’m a graduate student in education policy and have sat in on Special Ed classes as research… it is truly one of the most demanding, underappreciated, but crucial professions one can pursue. Yay for special education teachers!
Vegan On Stage says
OH MY GOD I CANNOT WAIT TO MAKE THIS!!!!!! i wish i had your metabolism so i could eat all these sweets!!!!
magpie says
I’m so glad everyone loved the cake! It’s great when omnis go crazy over vegan/vegetarian food 🙂
shellyfish says
Mad cake decorating skills Special K! And that cake sounds great, I love carrot cake, especially with pineapple.
Give your mom extra love- being a teacher is hard, but special ed teachers take it to the next level. And damn girl, you kids look so 70s hip!
healthyceliac says
That cake is SO cute. Seriously…the little dog…you are a true cake artist.
Being a teacher, I completely admire all of the special education teachers I encounter day after day. I work with quite a few, as I work with at risk kids (a lot of whom have learning disabilities), and each day I am in awe of the patience and dedication each teacher possesses. I truly think that it’s the hardest job in the world, and I have often said that I am glad that there are people in the world who possess those qualities, but I know I couldn’t live in their shoes for even a day.
CeciLiA says
wow Katie, you’re ever so talented!! Btw, is that Molly on your carrot cake? I too get all nervous when I bake something for someone fearing that they won’t like it!
Also I just wanna say, you have such a BIG heart! You gave and show so much love to all the people around you, I’m sure everyone that you have helped in your life would be extremely touched and grateful …
Oh last but not least, I finally got myself a BLOG…. hope you can drop by and visit when you have time 🙂 it’s scrumptiouslyvegan.blogspot.com
Hope you have a great day 🙂
Lori- the Pleasantly Plump Vegan says
i LOVE yr cake. well done girl!!!
Lizzy says
I think I have no other choice but make this cake! My best friend will love me for making it and you for making me make it, ha ha (he’s crazy about carrot cake) 😉
And after the rave reviews it got… I LOVE the name, btw =D
What a great picture, looks like everyone had a blast! =)
Paulina says
What a beautiful cake! I wish I had your skills 🙂
It’s so great that you and your mom are able to help with the special needs kids. My mom worked with them for a time and loved it.
Liz² says
my heart actually skipped a beat when you wrote that ‘nobody liked the cake!’, I’m so glad they recognized the beauty and deliciousness of it!
fruity says
That cake looks yum! I have been wanting to make a vegan carrot cake for a while…I will keep this recipe in mind!!
I agree, doing new things with friends eases the nerves and makes the transition easier! If I lived in Texas or if you lived here, I would totally buddy up with you and volunteer everrrrywhere, haha!
Jennifer says
Aw, you had me there for a second. I was sitting here reading thinking, how could it be possible for one of Katie’s gorgeous creations to be any thing but perfect. I mean, I’ve been following your blog for awhile and you are THE baked goods/decorating QUEEN!
That recipe sounds amazing. And the cake is so cute. Is that pup an homage to one of yours?
You are amazing Katie, I bet you and Thomas had a great time, and that picture is too cute.
Oh and boo on the skating rink not letting you bring food!
Vegan Invasion! (Ashley Nicole) says
Such a cute cake!! Carrot cake is my favorite cake of all time and that looks really tasty.
Your mom sounds like a wonderful person and obviously you are, too! I love that last photo, everyone is having fun!! Makes me want to go roller skating!
vegan addict says
I can’t wait to see what kind of cake you make next! Incredibly creative. I would have such a hard time cutting into that cake…eating it would be easy though!
The rollerskating photo is awesome Katie. Thanks for sharing, it made my day!
Bianca says
That cake is freakin’ adorable! And I love that you veganized a family recipe. It’s nice to be able to keep with family tradition, but upgrading the recipes to be healthier and more ethically correct.
pavotrouge says
bless your mum! and what a sweet cake.
Green Eyes, Green Heart says
Thanks for the hugs & everything!! And I’m sending some your way–for being such an inspiration! Every little thing you do for those kids is amazing, and I am so glad you share with us!
Oh! And I’m linking you on my new blog– flvegan.wordpress.com!
PS-Your cake looks DIVINE–and my dog is obsessed with carrots, too! 🙂
Jenny says
You so need to open a bakery! What a cute cake!
Rural Vegan says
I think this cake is my favorite dessert I’ve seen you decorate. It’s just so freaking adorable!
Melody Polakow says
gorgeous cake!
How awesome that you pushed Thomas so he could skate too..
ChocolateCoveredVegan says
Kimberly—
Thanks for the kind words about my mom. She always tells me it means so much to her when someone appreciates what she does.
And I am with you 100% on the walnuts!
Veg*Triathlete says
I can’t believe how cute that cake is! You ROCK!
Vivacious Vegan says
Your cake is awesome again. My goodness, you are so creative. I will send you my address. My birthday is coming up in July. Hehe.
trustmyintuition says
Bugs Bunny would indeed be proud! I Love your cakes! 🙂 You inspire me. Someday I will make a cake like you…
Alice (in Veganland) says
You did a great job decorating the cake! Of course bugs bunny is proud!
Mikaela says
Ha! I love the smirking sun on the cake 🙂
Vegyogini says
My mom’s a special ed preschool teacher, so I know what you mean! That cake is decorated beautifully. I’m so jealous of your skills!
Therese says
Today I made yours and Susan Voisin’s from Baking with Dates. Yours was the winner. But of course I tweaked it to make it virtually sugar free! Subbed bakers Stevia in the Raw for the white sugar, and pureed dates with 1/3 cup of the oil and 1/3 cup applesauce + 2 tablespoons molasses for the brown sugar. Less fat + less sugar = a good thing! Had to add a few slogs of vanilla soymilk to get the batter moist enough, but they turned out fabulous. Also used pure whole wheat flour. Also subbed 9 Tbsp water, 3 heaping Tblsp flax for Ener G eggs (flax seeds and water go in vitamix, then sit for awhile) Did I mention these were fabulous? Thank you so much Katie, you are helping me to make great treats for my four kids and pursue a happy vegan life!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw I’m so glad! Your version sounds absolutely wonderful!
Bethany says
Looks great! Excited to make it today!
Katie says
I am a special education teacher too. We cook every friday to teach life skills. We are reading the Carrot Seed book, this is the perfect recipe for my students to try. Thanks!