[sundukulinar]

RAW CARROT CAKE WITH CREAMY CASHEW LEMON FROSTING

For the Cashew Lemon Frosting
1 1/2 cups cashews
Juice from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons liquid coconut oil
2 tablespoons coconut nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
Water, as needed

For the Carrot Cake
3 large carrots, peeled and chopped into small chunks
1 1/2 cups oats
2 cups dates
1/2 cup dried coconut
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

PREPARATION
To make the frosting: blend all ingredients in your high speed blender until smooth, adding water as needed. Taste it – mmm. Put in the fridge.
To make the cake: process the oats into flour in your food processor then throw the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and process until it all begins to stick together.
Assembly: press half the cake mixture into a small spring form pan (mine is about 4 inches). Gently take this out and put on a plate, then put in the freezer until it’s solid. Do the same to the remaining half of the cake mixture. Spread about 1/3 of the frosting onto the top of one of the cake layers. Put it in the freezer until the layer of frosting is hard. Place on the other cake layer and frost the entire thing, I let it set in the fridge overnight.


Chai Spiced Pumpkin Bars

Makes 9 large or 16 small squares
For the crust:
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (certified gluten-free if necessary)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup pitted dates, chopped — plus a few more if needed

For the filling:
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
1/3 cup maple syrup or coconut nectar (or to taste)
1/4 cup melted coconut oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon cardamom
3/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons coconut flour

Line an 8"x8" baking pan with parchment paper so you can lift the bars out for cutting.

To prepare the crust, place the oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut, cinnamon, and salt in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Add 2/3 cup dates and process until well combined and sticky. The mixture may look crumbly, but it should hold together when pinched between your fingers. If necessary, add more dates to get the right consistency.

Press the dough firmly and evenly into the baking pan. Place the pan in the freezer while you prepare the filling.

To make the filling, combine the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, coconut oil, vanilla, salt, and spices in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Add the coconut flour and blend until well combined. Adjust sweetener if desired.

Remove the pan from the freezer and pour the filling on top, spreading it out evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.

Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper edges. Use a chef's knife to cut the bars, wiping the knife clean between cuts. Serve chilled.