Carrot and Apple Oatmeal Cake is a moist, flavorful dessert that combines the natural sweetness of carrots and apples with the heartiness of oats. This cake is perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even as a light dessert. The apples and carrots provide moisture, while the oats give it a nice texture. It’s wholesome and delicious, making it a great way to sneak in some extra nutrients.
Here’s how you can make a Carrot and Apple Oatmeal Cake:
Carrot and Apple Oatmeal Cake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (or quick oats)
- 1 cup whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup honey (or maple syrup, or brown sugar)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium-sized carrots)
- 1 cup grated apple (about 1 medium apple)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds – optional)
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan or 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper or cooking spray.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt. Stir until all the dry ingredients are well-mixed.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, honey (or your choice of sweetener), applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Step 4: Add the Carrots and Apples
- Stir in the grated carrots and grated apple to the wet ingredients. This will provide moisture and flavor to the cake.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and stir until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can make the cake dense.
Step 6: Add Optional Mix-ins
- If you’re using chopped nuts, raisins, or shredded coconut, fold them into the batter now.
Step 7: Bake
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Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it out evenly.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean (or with a few moist crumbs).
- If you are using a larger pan, you may need to check the cake at the 25-minute mark, as it will bake faster in a larger pan.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and serve!
Optional Toppings:
- Cream cheese frosting or Greek yogurt drizzle for an added creamy touch.
- Powdered sugar dusting for a simple, classic finish.
- Fresh whipped cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt for added richness.
Tips & Variations:
- Oats: If you don’t have rolled oats, you can substitute quick oats. Just keep in mind the texture will be slightly different.
- Flour: You can also substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or coconut flour for a gluten-free version (you might need to adjust the measurements slightly for those alternatives).
- Sweeteners: Adjust the sweetness to your liking. If you’re using apple sauce that’s sweetened, you may want to reduce the amount of added sweetener.
- Add-ins: Mix-ins like shredded coconut, chocolate chips, or seeds (chia, flax) can also work wonderfully with this recipe.
- Vegan version: To make it vegan, substitute the eggs with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water), and use maple syrup instead of honey. Replace the oil with coconut oil.
Carrot and Apple Oatmeal Cake is a cozy and wholesome treat with a natural sweetness from the apples and carrots. It’s perfect for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of tea. You can easily customize it by adding your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or spices!
Let me know if you’d like additional variations or have any questions!