Easter Brunch Vegan Carrot Cake

Carrot cake for breakfast?! Yup, that's right. This Easter, I'm making cake for breakfast. This carrot "cake" actually is so moist and rich that it actually takes on more of a pumpkin pie texture and tastes AMAZING! This recipe can be made vegan by eliminating the baking soda and baking powder and, while it may not be the healthiest breakfast ever, it is still much healthier than a regular, full-fat carrot cake dripping with icing and oil. It is full of vitamin and mineral rich foods that combine into a rich, ultra-moist "cake" with the exact same flavours as the original for a delicious, decadent way to start your holiday!

I do not make an icing for this cake because I feel that icings are too sweet for breakfast, but feel free to make your own! I enjoy these little darlings with a bit of jam spread on top and some tea. What a lovely start to the holiday!

Makes one 8-inch round cake
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour (DIY by using a blender to grind whole oats into powder)
- 1 tsp baking soda (eliminate for vegan version)
- 2 tsp baking powder (eliminate for vegan version)
- dash of salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp cardamom (optional)
-  1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup almond milk, plus more as needed

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Combine flour, baking soda and powder(if using), salt, and spices in a medium mixing bowl.

3. Mix in applesauce, maple syrup and honey. Thoroughly combine.

4. Stir in carrots and coconut. Pour in almond milk. Add more milk to loosen the batter, if necessary.

5. Pour mixture into an 8-inch round pan that's been greased with coconut oil. Bake for 55 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

6. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Turn out and serve.

The moist, dense texture of this cake resembles pumpkin pie, but tastes just like carrot cake.
Pumpkin pie + carrot cake= BEST BREAKFAST EVER!!!