Why are the carrots cooked in orange juice and spices before being added to the cake?

Cooking the carrots in orange juice, water, cinnamon stick, and cloves infuses them with a unique aromatic flavor and ensures they are fork-tender before being pulsed for the cake batter.

How is the reserved cooking liquid used in this recipe?

The spiced cooking liquid is used in two ways: 1/3 cup is added when pulsing the carrots for moisture, and 1/2 cup is whisked into the wet ingredients with sugar and molasses.

What unique spices give this Greek Carrot Cake its distinct flavor?

This cake uses a blend of cinnamon, coriander seeds (ground or ground coriander), and ground nutmeg, in addition to the cinnamon stick and whole cloves used to simmer the carrots.

What role does molasses play in this vegan Greek Carrot Cake?

Molasses adds a distinct depth of flavor and moisture to the cake, complementing the spices and contributing to its rich, sweet profile.

How should I store leftover Greek Carrot Cake?

After cooling completely, store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, it can be frozen.

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Greek Carrot Cake
[Vegan]

KV By: Kiki Vagianos

Author Bio

Kiki Vagianos wants to live in a world where no living thing suffers for her... Read More

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A beautifully baked vegan Greek Carrot Cake, golden brown and intricately shaped from a bundt pan, garnished with optional walnuts and golden raisins.

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Carrot Recipes

Greek Carrot Cake [Vegan]

Dairy Free

This carrot cake is wonderfully moist, exceptionally flavorful, and flat out delicious. The secret to this cake's perfumed majesty is that the carrots are boiled with the spices before being added to the dough, this process imbues them with extra flavor.

Ingredients You Need for Greek Carrot Cake [Vegan]

For the Carrots:

3 cups chopped carrots
1 cup orange juice
1 cup water
1 small cinnamon stick
8 whole cloves
Save 1 cup cooking liquid

For the Cake:

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1/2 cup cooking liquid
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon coriander seeds ground or 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon orange or lemon zest
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Walnuts (optional)
Golden raisins (optional)

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How to Prepare Greek Carrot Cake [Vegan]

Chop the carrots into smallish pieces and add them to a small pot with the orange juice, water, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce the heat to low simmer.
Cook this, uncovered, for 20 minutes. The carrot pieces should be fork-tender, not hard and not mushy.
Set them aside to cool in the cooking liquid.
Drain the carrots and save the liquid.
Add the carrots to a food processor and pulse them 2 or 3 times.
Scrape down the sides, add 1/3 cup cooking liquid, and pulse them 2 more times.
Scrape down the sides and set this aside.
In medium sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
In a large bowl, add 1/2 cup of cooking liquid, sugar, and molasses.
Whisk them until they're combined.
Add your spices and whisk the mixture.
Add your oil and whisk the mixture.
Add the carrots and stir them in completely.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix them completely.
Stir in golden raisins and/or nuts at this time if you’re including them.
Scoop out batter into bundt pan and press it down into the mold so the top is even. Bake it at 350°F for 45-50 minutes.
Allow it to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
Turn the cake out and continue to cool it or serve it immediately.