Vegan Carrot Cake

I can't believe I haven't posted this yet, because I make it all the time. Here it is on Sam's Birthday. I also brought it over on Mother's Day with a crushed pineapple icing. This morning, I made it for brunch, because my parents and a bunch of Sam's friends randomly decided to come over. Sam was making potato pancakes and tofu scramble, but I was worried there wouldn't be enough food. The recipe is adapted from my friend Jolinda at vegetarian.about.com, and I highly recommend her recipes.

Ingredients:
-3 c. all purpose flour
-1 c. almond milk
-1 1/2 t. baking soda
-2 c. carrots, shredded (i usually shred one cup really fine, and grate one cup more coarsely)
-1.5 c. raisins (when we get the ultra-sweet raisins, I use less)
-2 c. water
-3/4 c. sugar
-1/2 t. salt
-1 1/2 t. cinnamon
-1 t. cardamom
-1 t. allspice
-1 t. cloves
If you are missing any of the above spices, vanilla, nutmeg, pretty much anything will make a nice substitute. unless you are out of cinnamon. You can't go without cinnamon.

In a pot on the stovetop, combined the carrots, raisins, water, and spices and simmer for about 15 minutes. Add the sugar and salt and cook for a little longer (maybe 2 minutes). Remove from heat, and allow to cool. I am usually in a hurry, so I usually cool it in the freezer for about 20 minutes stirring Q 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine the flour and baking soda. Mix everything together, including the almond milk, and stir by hand until just mixed.

Bake at 350 for 1 hr in a greased pyrex dish.

NOM.

Red Velvet Cupcakes

I have been on an insane running kick, and am therefore on an insane sugar/carbohydrate kick. It's strange/convenient how few sweets my body craves until I start exerting myself on a daily basis... and when it does... I blew through about 3 dozen cupcakes in 5 days (granted, i gave 4 to my sister and 9 to my veterinarian, and Sam ate approximately 4). I used the recipe from my red velvet birthday cake and used Pillsbury storebought cream cheese icing (VEGAN WTF) as well as rainbow sprinkles. They are pretty much the cutest and best cupcakes ever.

IT IS MY BIRTHDAY

Well, next week is my birthday. But I'm going to NYC for the weekend, so my family celebrated it today. The cake was so good!



http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/recipes/vegan-red-velvet-cake-with-buttercream-frosting

for the batter:
3.5 c unbleached all-purpose
1.5 c granulated sugar
2 t baking soda
1 t salt
2 t cocoa powder
2 c milk (i used plain soy)
2/3 c oil
3 T red food coloring (red #40, not the "E" one cuz that = beetles)
2 t white vinegar
2 t vanilla extract

frosting:
1/2 c Earth Balance, at room temperature
3 c powdered sugar
1 1/2 t vanilla extract
2 T milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F; (180 degrees C, or gas mark 4). Lightly oil two 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pans.

To make the batter, in a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder. Create a well in the center, and add milk, oil, food coloring, vinegar and vanilla, and mix until thoroughly combined.

Divide cake batter evenly between prepared cake pans. Place pans in the oven spaced evenly apart. Bake for about 35 minutes, rotating 45 degrees halfway through. When the cakes pull away from the side of the pans and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, they are ready.

Let cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then run a knife around the edges to loosen them from the sides. One at a time, invert cakes onto a plate and then reinvert onto a cooling rack, rounded-sides up. Let cool completely.

To make the frosting, with an electric hand or stand mixer, cream butter until it is smooth and begins to fluff. With the mixer on low speed, add confectioners' sugar and fluff for another few minutes. Add vanilla, milk and food coloring (if using).

Once all ingredients are well-combined, beat on high until frosting is light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons more milk to achieve the right consistency. Cover the icing with plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out until ready to use. Rewhip before using.

Here is a picture of my big brother eating his second piece: