This carrot cake is light, sweet, healthy, and still so easy to make. Top it off with some fluffy cream cheese frosting naturally sweetened with date syrup for a nice dessert!
Benefits of Date Syrup
Date syrup is a natural sweetener made from dates, which are a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Health benefits of date syrup include:
- Nutritional value: Date syrup is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, and magnesium. It also contains antioxidants, which can help to protect against oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Lower glycemic index: Date syrup has a lower glycemic index than many other sweeteners, which means it causes a slower rise in blood sugar levels. This makes it a suitable sweetener for individuals with diabetes or those who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels.
- Digestive health: Dates are high in fiber, which can help to promote digestive health and prevent constipation. Date syrup retains some of the fiber from the dates, making it a healthier sweetener than many processed sugars.
- Natural sweetener: Date syrup is a natural sweetener that can be used in place of refined sugars, which have been linked to a range of health problems including obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
- Versatility: Date syrup can be used in a variety of recipes, from sweet to savory. It can be used as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or pancakes, as a sweetener in baked goods, or as a glaze for roasted vegetables or meats.
How is Applesauce Utilized in Baking?
Applesauce can be used in baking as a substitute for oil, butter, or eggs. For this recipe, applesauce was used for:
- Moisture: Applesauce can add moisture to baked goods, making them more tender and moist. This makes it a good substitute for oil or butter in recipes such as muffins, quick breads, and cakes.
- Fat reduction: Applesauce can be used as a substitute for some or all of the oil or butter in a recipe, which can help to reduce the overall fat content of the recipe. This makes it a healthier alternative, especially for individuals who are trying to reduce their fat intake.
- Egg replacement: Applesauce can also be used as a substitute for eggs in baking recipes, especially in vegan or egg-free recipes. Applesauce can help to bind the ingredients together and add moisture, similar to the function of eggs in baking.
- Flavor: Applesauce can add a subtle apple flavor to baked goods, which can enhance the overall taste of the recipe. This can be especially appealing in recipes such as muffins or quick breads.
Key Ingredients
Carrots: DUH! A carrot cake gotta have some carrots in it!
Applesauce: This provides moisture, replacing most of the oil and making this treat way healthier.
Date Syrup: I used @D’vash Organics date syrup. It provides such a nice molasses like flavor with no sugar added
Cream Cheese: Light or regular cream cheese work in this recipe!
Heavy Cream: Just one cup of heavy cream will turn your frosting nice, light, and fluffy
To Store
Keep in an airtight container or bag and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.
To Freeze
Keep in an airtight container or bag and freeze for up to 1 month without the frosting. To eat, reheat the cake in the microwave or oven, alternatively, you can leave it to defrost overnight at room temperature.
Healthy Carrot Cake Loaf with Date Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cup grated carrot
- 2 tbsp oil
- ¼ cup applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
Frosting
- 4 oz light cream cheese
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup date syrup
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper.
For the cake
- Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices, salt, and grated carrot together.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, milk, lemon juice, and sugar until fully combined.
- Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
- For the frosting: in a stand mixer, whip the cream cheese and vanilla extract. Slowly add the date syrup until fully combined. Add the heavy cream ¼ cup at a time, whip until frosting is doubled in size and fluffy. Refrigerate before using.
For assembly
- Once the cake has been baked and cooled, add the frosting on the cake to your liking. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
