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This is a healthier version of Carrot Cake that’s still moist and delicious, along with being packed full of healthy carrots, walnuts, orange zest, and sweet spices. If you want to make it even simpler or prefer a dairy-free icing, just dust with a little confectioner’s sugar. The carrots on top are made from almond marzipan and make for an easy yet impressive edible decoration.

Easter is a special time to remember Christ is Risen!! Let us not forget why we celebrate this special time of year. I have fond memories of picking out a new dress for the Easter service, having a huge family gathering afterwards with ham, fixins, desserts, and easter egg hunts. My grandmother would of course dye hard-boiled eggs for us to find, but she always threw out some prewrapped egg-shaped hollow candies that I sadly cannot find ANYWHERE anymore. None-the-less, I fondly remember the hunts, fun, food, and her yard was always filled with blooming trees, bushes and her buttercups were in full array. This cake is healthy enough not to feel too guilty after the big meal and I also like to enjoy it the next day (if there are leftovers) with coffee for breakfast.

Let’s begin:

Ingredients:

For cake:

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil (can also use olive oil)

• juice from 1 orange

• zest from 1 orange

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour (can also use almond or all-purpose flour)

• 3 tsp baking powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 cup walnuts, ground

• 4-5 medium carrots, grated and squeezed dry

Optional add-ins:

• raisins (1/2 cup)

• another spice, such as ginger, clove, or cardamom.

For Icing:

• one 8oz package plain cream cheese

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 tbsp orange juice

To Decorate:

• 3 oz marzipan almond dough (can find here)

• orange and green food coloring (you can also make orange with 2 drops yellow, one drop red)

To make the cream cheese frosting:

Marzipan carrot instructions:

Lay your parchment paper or waxed paper down to prevent staining the underlying surface. Take off rings and put gloves on before beginning. It’s also a good idea to put on an apron to protect your clothes.

Knead and work with dough until color is evenly spread throughout.

Wah La! You’ve made carrots!

Enjoy!

💜Julie