Whole-Grain Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze...

1 small loaf, eight 1-inch slices

Ingredients:

1.5 cups finely grated carrot, unpacked

1 tbsp ground flax seed

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

3/4 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)

1/3 cup light extra virgin olive oil (or oil of choice)

1.5 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest

1.5 cups whole grain spelt flour

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/2 cup raisins, soaked for 10 minutes & drained

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

Lemon glaze: 1/2 cup icing sugar whisked with 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (or to taste)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a small loaf pan (20cm x11cm x 6cm) with parchment. Lightly grease the parchment and sides of pan with oil and set aside. Note that the original recipe used an 8”x8” square pan so that would also work.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the grated carrot, ground flax, pure maple syrup, almond milk, oil, vanilla, vinegar, and lemon zest. Set aside for at least two minutes while you gather the dry ingredients.

3. In another large sized bowl, whisk together the spelt flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder & soda, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir until just combined (a few dry spots may remain). Fold in the raisins and chopped walnuts. Be careful not to overmix as spelt is a very delicate flour.

4. Pour into prepared pan and bake at 350F for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle on lemon glaze just before serving. 

Serves eight 1” slices. May be frozen. 

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