Raw Vegan Carrot Cake

   With my boyfriend being out of town for the past week, my regular making-dinner-for-two and having-it-ready-at-a-reasonable-hour routine has kind of gone out the window. I've been staying at the fitness studio longer than usual (taking the pole fitness class after I teach. SO fun!) and either eating dinner super late or really not at all (unless wine in the bathtub counts).
   Part of the beauty of being an adult is doing what you want, when you want... and then dealing with the consequences, right? Well, the other night I wanted carrot cake. Like for dinner. And there was no one here to stop me. Plus, I already had cashews soaking for homemade cashew milk. The stars were aligned, it was just meant to be. Thankfully with this recipe, there were no consequences. No guilt over here! Just a fridge full.. er, half-full... ok, there's a few pieces left... of delicious, raw carrot cake.

Raw Guiltless Carrot Cake

4 shredded carrots (2ish cups)

1 cup raw walnut pieces

1 cup pitted dates (soaked in hot water)

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

few shakes of cinnamon

shake of nutmeg

sprinkle of ginger

dash of cloves

pinch of salt

Cashew Frosting

1 cup raw cashews (ideally soaked overnight... or at least for an hour)

1/4 cup water

3 tbsp maple syrup

juice of 1/2 lemon

pinch of salt

2 tbsp melted coconut oil

walnuts and raisins to sprinkle on top (optional)

• Put dates in small dish, add hot water, soak while you do the next two steps
• Line cake pan (pie pan, pyrex dish, whatever) with parchment paper
• Shred carrots (either with hand grater or food processor)
• Drain dates and remove pits
• In food processor, combine walnuts and dates until it forms a paste. Add coconut, spices, salt and grated carrots and blend (No need to clean the food processor before you make the frosting. Unless you like doing dishes. Don't have a food processor? No worries! Do it all in a blender)
• Add this yummy mixture to your cake pan and put in the freezer while you make the frosting
• Drain cashews, rinse with cold water, drain again
• Add cashews, water, maple syrup, salt, lemon juice and melted coconut oil to whichever mixing machine you're using. Blend THE HECK outta this until it's as smooth as your little gadget will make it. Still kinda gritty? Who cares! Taste it... so good
• Pour frosting onto cake and freeze for 1 hour (or 45 minutes. Who's timing?)
• Sprinkle with walnuts and raisins
• Try not to eat the whole thing in one sitting. And if you do? So what. You're an adult! It's carrots and nuts.