¾cup(90grams)walnutschopped or pulsed in food processor
½cup(70grams)raisins
FROSTING (Optional)
2ounces(60grams)vegan butterdiced and softened at room temperature
1(1lemon)lemonthe grated zest
1teaspoon(1teaspoon)vanilla extract
4ounces(120grams)vegan cream cheese
1cup(120grams)powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 340°F or 170°C. Butter sides of your cake pan and line bottom with parchment paper.Grate 2½ cups carrots with the small holes of a box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment. Set aside.
To a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup brown sugar, 3 teaspoons cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon all spice, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, and ⅛ teaspoon salt. Whisk until well combined.Add ¾ cup almond milk, ⅓ cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 inch ginger (grated) and stir until barely combined (15 seconds).Don’t over-mix it. The batter should be pretty dense.
Chop ¾ cup walnuts with a knife or pulse them in a food processor, then fold them in the batter with grated carrots and ½ cup raisins.The batter should be pretty thick, the carrots will release moisture while baking.
Pour into the prepared pan. Bake at 340°F or 170C for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly dry.Cool down in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it onto a wire rack and cool down completely, for about 2 to 3 hours.
To a bowl, add 2 ounces vegan butter, softened at room temperature, the grated zest of 1 lemon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Whisk with a hand mixer until the butter is creamy.Add 4 ounces vegan cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy. Store in the fridge.Add frosting when cake has cooled down. Garnish with chopped walnuts, pistachios, or coconut flakes and enjoy.