Spiced Carrot Cake with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Celebrate the flavors of autumn any time of year with this Spiced Carrot Cake, adorned with vegan cream cheese frosting and a hint of fresh orange, perfect for a cozy gathering or special occasion.

Ingredients:

For 3x 6-Inch Cakes:

• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (120g) granulated sugar or superfine/caster sugar
• ½ cup (120g) soft brown sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 ¾ tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 cup plus 2 tbsp (270ml) soy or almond milk
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup (120ml) sunflower oil or similar light oil
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 1 ¾ cups (225g) freshly grated carrots
• ⅘ cup (100g) finely chopped walnuts

For 2x 8-Inch Cakes:

• Adjust the above quantities as noted in the ingredient list.

For Garnish:

• Vegan cream cheese frosting
• Freshly squeezed orange juice (for frosting flavoring)
• Chopped walnuts (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 347°F (175°C). Line cake tins with parchment and spray the sides with oil.
2. Combine soy milk and apple cider vinegar in a jug; let sit for 10 minutes to curdle.
3. Add oil, vanilla extract, and orange zest to the jug and stir.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, both sugars, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
5. Pour wet ingredients into dry, whisking just until combined. Fold in grated carrots and walnuts.
6. Divide batter between cake pans. Bake 6″ cakes for 30-35 minutes, and 8″ cakes for 25-30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.
7. Cool cakes in tins for 15-20 minutes, then on a rack.
8. For the frosting, reduce orange juice to 50ml, cool, then mix into vegan cream cheese frosting.
9. To assemble, spread frosting between layers and around the cake. Decorate with walnuts or as desired.

This Spiced Carrot Cake is a delightfully moist and flavorful treat, topped with a creamy, citrus-infused frosting that’s sure to impress. Enjoy the melding of spices, carrot, and orange in this vegan delight!