Vegan carrot cake.

Because I had a few carrots left in my fridge and because I am leaving in less than a week for a two months vacation in France, I decided to give another try to a vegan cake with flax seeds. Unlike the other time though, this recipe didn't call for "flax egg" but simply for ground flax seeds.

I love a good carrot cake. I am actually obsessed with carrot cake. It satisfies my sweet tooth but looks healthy enough not to make me feel guilty. Same goes for zucchini cake. And I sometimes cook a zucchini-carrot cake, because why not. My previous experience with flax seeds in my zucchini cake was such a disaster I didn't think I would be able to bake vegan cakes ever. But this new experience was a success. I am glad to say I have found a vegan recipe to fulfill my desires. Big up !

Vegan carrot cake.
Adapted from Oh She Glows.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups finely grated carrot
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 cup organic honey
3/4 cup almond milk
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp freshly grated lemon zest
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp kosher salt

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together the grated carrot, ground flax, honey, almond milk, oil, vanilla, vinegar, and lemon zest. Set aside for at least two minutes while you gather the dry ingredients.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Pour the dry ingredients over the wet ingredients and stir until just combined.
4. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes in the pan, and then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely.

The texture was perfect and I didn't have to fight in order to bake it all the way. Cooking it for 40 minutes was plenty enough to keep a good consistency without overcook it. Plus the cake does not taste too sweet, which is everything you want in a carrot cake -at least it is what I am looking for when I bake treats with vegetables.

I simply loved it.

Next time, I will try to make it with zucchini and see if it is also a success. If so, I just found my new recipe for a vegan breakfast treat !!!

Vegan Chocolate Cake

In the past, I heard of people who don't like chocolate. That statement always surprises me -as much as the cheese one- and people can easily read on my face my failure to understand such statement. In my mind, it is impossible not to like chocolate. Though, I do understand the dislike of dark chocolate, as I am not myself a huge fan. Chocolate is to me the comfort food par excellence. I find always handy to have a chocolate within easy reach for those moments of despondency. Therefore, chocolate cakes are on my top list.

After my previous failure at preparing a vegan bread, I was a bit skeptical about the association of the term vegan to the pastry cooking. Nevertheless, I gave it another try with this recipe found thanks to a friend of mine. Unlike the recipe for the vegan bread, this one is not calling for any substitute. It is simply a no dairy, no egg recipe. And I have to admit I am pretty happy with the result. If the cake doesn't have that sweet taste of chocolate I am really fond of, its texture is perfect. My mistake was probably to use unsweetened dark chocolate. Not being a big fan of dark chocolate, it is the only reproach this cake inspires me.

Vegan Chocolate Cake

Adapted from Pigut.

Ingredients:
1 2/3 cups organic whole wheat flour
1/2 cup natural cane sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
100 g dark chocolate
1 cup water
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 325F.
2. In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking soda)
3. In a pan, melt the chocolate and incorporate it to the dry ingredients.
4. Add water, olive oil, vanilla and stir until mixed.
5. Cook for about 20 to 30 minutes depending on your baking pan.

Enjoy this very low calorie and healthy treat !