Healthy, Lower Carb Carrot Cake

Yummy Carrot Cake!!!

Cake Ingredients
1 cup pecans, chopped
3/4 cup coconut flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated xylitol
3 cups finely shredded carrots
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
6 eggs
3/4 cup raw agave nectar, or sugar free maple syrup
1 tsp lemon zest

Frosting Ingredients
16 oz cream cheese, or neufchâtel
1/2 cup butter
2 tsp maple extract
1 1/2 cups thinly shredded carrots
1 1/2-2 tsp NuNaturals stevia extract powder


Cake Preparation


Preheat oven for 350 degrees F.  Grease two cake pans and set aside.

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in one bowl.
2. Beat eggs in a small bowl.  Mix applesauce, agave nectar, and lemon zest into the egg mixture.
3. After the ingredients in both bowls are completely mixed, pour the liquid mixture over the dry one.
4. Mix the two together on medium-high speed.
5. Once thoroughly combined, pour the mixture into two greased cake pans, and slide in the oven.
6. Bake the cakes for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until you can stick a toothpick in the center and have it come out clean.
7. Once the cakes are finished. lay them out on two cookie racks or two cutting boards, and let them cool for an hour or so.

Frosting Preparation

1. With a hand mixer on high, beat the cream cheese and butter until they are thoroughly combined.
2. Slowly pour the maple extract in, as the mixer continues to to blend the butter and cream cheese.
3. Reduce the mixer's speed to low, and sprinkle the stevia in.
4. After all of the ingredients are combined, set the mix aside.

You can honestly use this recipe for so many more desserts than just a two layered carrot cake.  You could make muffins, cupcakes, carrot bread, or anything else that comes to mind :) .  I decided to make mine into a layered carrot cake, garnished with unsweetened shredded coconut and agave nectar drizzle.

One of the reasons I love carrot cake is because of its nutrients.  We all know how healthy carrots are for us.  Carrots contain a high amount of beta-carotene, which helps to activate the thymus gland. This gland triggers and stimulates the immune system to fight off bad bacteria and viruses.  It also plays a key role in  healthy skin and eyesight.  One thing I found interesting about beta-carotene is that that the amount in carrots increases when you cook them. 

Another ingredient in carrot cake that has significant health benefits is cinnamon.  Cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar and speeds up your metabolism.  Both are benefits that make your journey to losing weight and becoming healthier possible.