Health Boosting Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated carrots (for vision support)
• 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup almond flour (for heart health promotion)
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (for immune system boosting properties)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup maple syrup or honey (for antioxidants)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (for heart health promotion)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the gluten free all purpose flour, almond flour, ground flaxseed, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt. Mix well to combine.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup or honey, unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
4. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Fold in the grated carrots and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
8. Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool completely in the pan before removing it from the pan and transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Once the cake has cooled, you can frost it with dairy free cream cheese frosting if desired, or simply dust it with powdered sugar for a lighter option.
10. Slice and serve your health boosting carrot cake, knowing that each delicious bite is packed with antioxidants, vision supporting nutrients, immune system boosters, dietary fiber, and heart-healthy ingredients.

Enjoy your guilt-free indulgence and reap the benefits of this delightful treat!

Here are five health benefits of the ingredients used in this carrot cake recipe…

• Carrots (Vision Support): Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for maintaining healthy vision, particularly in low light conditions, and helps prevent age related macular degeneration and night blindness.
• Whole Wheat Flour (Dietary Fibre): Whole wheat flour is a good source of dietary fibre, which is essential for digestive health. Fibre helps promote regular bowel movements, prevents constipation, and supports overall gut health. Additionally, dietary fibre can help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Almond Flour (Heart Health Promotion): Almond flour is high in monounsaturated fats, which are heart healthy fats that can help lower LDL cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Additionally, almonds are rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin E, which help protect the heart from oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Ground Flaxseed (Immune System Boosting Properties): Flaxseeds are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid that has anti-inflammatory properties and supports immune function. Flaxseeds also contain lignans, which have antioxidant properties and may help boost the immune system.
• Walnuts (Heart Health Promotion): Walnuts are packed with heart-healthy nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and fibre. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and lower cholesterol levels, while antioxidants help protect the heart from oxidative stress. Additionally, walnuts contain arginine, an amino acid that helps improve blood vessel function and circulation.