Carrot Cake with Watercress & Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Cake with Watercress & Cream Cheese Frosting (vegan and gluten free). The classic smooth cream cheese filling of carrot cake is given a kick with the addition of watercress. It complements the sweetness of the carrot cake and nutty texture of the nuts. It could be one for the Mad Hatter but don’t tell your mother that!

Carrot Cake with Watercress & Cream Cheese Frosting (vegan and gluten free):

Serves 8

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 40 minutes

For The Cake:

3 tsp baking soda

3 tbsp white vinegar

80ml rapeseed oil plus a little extra to grease cake tins

60ml golden syrup

235g apple sauce (preferably unsweetened)

200ml non-dairy milk (we used soy milk)

100g dark brown soft sugar

50g caster sugar

160g grated carrot

Pinch of salt

1.5 tsp baking soda

1.5 tsp baking powder

1.5 tsp ground cinnamon

170g ground almonds

150g gluten free flour (we used Dove’s)

30g chopped walnuts

30g raisins

For The Icing:

100g vegan butter (we used Naturli, a hard block which is better for this than a spreadable tub)

1 tub vegan cream cheese

500g icing sugar, sieved

30g watercress, finely chopped

To Decorate (optional):

Edible flowers such as violas and primulas

Chopped nuts

Method:

1.) Pre-heat the oven to 180°C.  Prepare three 15cm loose based cake tins by brushing the insides with rapeseed oil and placing a circle of greaseproof paper in the bottom of each.

2.) In a large bowl, whisk together the baking soda and vinegar, then add in the rapeseed oil, apple sauce, oat milk, sugars and golden syrup.  Mix together.  Add in the grated carrot and stir thoroughly.

3.) In a separate bowl sieve together the salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ground almonds and gluten free flour.  Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, ensuring they are fully incorporated, then add in the chopped walnuts and raisins and stir through.

4.) Divide the mix equally between the three cake tins.  Bake for 40 minutes before inserting a skewer or knife into the centre of each cake.  If the skewer comes out clean then the cakes are baked, otherwise return to the oven and check again after five more minutes.  Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing carefully from cake tins.  Once removed allow the cakes to cool completely before icing.

Make The Icing:

5.) To make the icing, take the cream cheese out of the fridge one hour before using so that it is slightly softer and ensure your vegan butter is soft too.  Use an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment to beat the butter until smooth.  Then add in the cream cheese and beat on a low speed until fully combined.  You may need to stop the machine and scrape down the sides before beating again to ensure everything is fully mixed.  Be careful not to beat on too high a speed as the mixture may split.  Add in the icing sugar then beat on a medium speed until combined fully before stirring through the chopped watercress.

6.) Once your cakes are cooled completely, use the icing to cover each layer before stacking, finishing with a thick layer of icing on top.  Add fresh edible flowers and/or chopped nuts to decorate

What do you think about this Carrot Cake with Watercress & Cream Cheese Frosting (vegan and gluten free)?

Do you fancy trying it?

This recipe was created by Keri Astill-Frew who splits her time between being a development chef for The Watercress Company and building her own vegetarian and vegan catering business, V Dorset.

Keri has worked in top restaurants across the UK including a Michelin star hotel in Lancashire and a variety of fine dining restaurants and gastro-pubs in Dorset and Sussex. 

She is passionate about watercress, both as an ingredient and for its fantastic health benefits and is devoted to developing new and delicious ways for you to incorporate more of it into your diet.   For more information and many more recipes please visit:

The Watercress Company or Watercress.

Recipe Photography credits Lara Jane Thorpe.

Recipe Card:

Carrot Cake with Watercress & Cream Cheese Frosting (vegan and gluten free)

Watercress

The classic smooth cream cheese filling of carrot cake is given a kick with the addition of watercress.

It complements the sweetness of the carrot cake and nutty texture of the nuts. It could be one for the Mad Hatter but don’t tell your mother that!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 1 hr 10 mins

Course Dessert

Servings 8

Ingredients

  

• 3 tsp baking soda
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 80ml rapeseed oil plus a little extra to grease cake tins
• 60ml golden syrup
• 235g apple sauce (preferably unsweetened)
• 200ml non-dairy milk (we used soy milk)
• 100g dark brown soft sugar
• 50g caster sugar
• 160g grated carrot
• Pinch of salt
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 170g ground almonds
• 150g gluten free flour (we used Dove’s)
• 30g chopped walnuts
• 30g raisins
• 100g vegan butter (we used Naturli, a hard block which is better for this than a spreadable tub)
• 1 tub vegan cream cheese
• 500g icing sugar, sieved
• 30g watercress, finely chopped
• Edible flowers such as violas and primulas
• Chopped nuts

Instructions

 

• Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Prepare three 15cm loose based cake tins by brushing the insides with rapeseed oil and placing a circle of greaseproof paper in the bottom of each.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the baking soda and vinegar, then add in the rapeseed oil, apple sauce, oat milk, sugars and golden syrup. Mix together. Add in the grated carrot and stir thoroughly.
• In a separate bowl sieve together the salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ground almonds and gluten free flour. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet, ensuring they are fully incorporated, then add in the chopped walnuts and raisins and stir through.
• Divide the mix equally between the three cake tins. Bake for 40 minutes before inserting a skewer or knife into the centre of each cake. If the skewer comes out clean then the cakes are baked, otherwise return to the oven and check again after five more minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing carefully from cake tins. Once removed allow the cakes to cool completely before icing.
• To make the icing, take the cream cheese out of the fridge one hour before using so that it is slightly softer and ensure your vegan butter is soft too. Use an electric stand mixer with the paddle attachment to beat the butter until smooth. Then add in the cream cheese and beat on a low speed until fully combined. You may need to stop the machine and scrape down the sides before beating again to ensure everything is fully mixed. Be careful not to beat on too high a speed as the mixture may split. Add in the icing sugar then beat on a medium speed until combined fully before stirring through the chopped watercress.
• Once your cakes are cooled completely, use the icing to cover each layer before stacking, finishing with a thick layer of icing on top. Add fresh edible flowers and/or chopped nuts to decorate.

You Might Also Like:

Perfect Egg Mayonnaise And Watercress Sandwiches:

What better way to start the proceedings than with a classic egg mayonnaise sandwich given added piquancy by fresh peppery watercress? More tea vicar! Perfect Egg Mayonnaise And Watercress Sandwiches.

Rare Roast Beef, Wasabi And Watercress Bagels:

For the carnivores try this modern twist on the original sandwich eaten by the Earl of Sandwich back in 1762 who is said to have first put some beef and watercress between two slices of bread so he could eat without interrupting his card game! This more sophisticated version with bagels is a perfect teatime treat. Rare Roast Beef, Wasabi And Watercress Bagels.

Watercress And Cheese Scones: Afternoon Tea:

A tangy alternative to the traditional sweet scone served with cream. These watercress And cheese scones are delicious with butter or perhaps topped with a cream cheese. Watercress And Cheese Scones: Afternoon Tea.

Chocolate, Orange & Watercress Brownies with Chocolate Ganache Topping:

Chocolate, orange and watercress may not seem the most obvious combination but by golly, it works!  The sharp pepper of the watercress contrasts deliciously with the citrus flavours and bitterness of the chocolate to make a truly mouth-watering treat. Chocolate, Orange & Watercress Brownies.

Afternoon Tea Recipes: Spoil Your Mum On Mother’s Day:

Mother’s Day (22nd March, tomorrow) is the annual opportunity to really treat that special lady and show her how much you care. 

The Watercress Company has worked with development chef, Keri Astill Frew to conjure up something a little bit out of the ordinary so you can splash out on a tea party with a twist. 

From sandwiches or scones to cake or brownies and even a celebratory cocktail featuring watercress to wash it all down, it will be a Mother’s Day she’ll remember! Afternoon Tea Recipes: Spoil Your Mum On Mother’s Day.

Some More Posts That Might Be Of Interest:

• Walnut And Cranberry Pie: Christmas Cracked!!29th November 2020
• Parfait Day: Layer Up Your Fruit, Cream And Nuts25th November 2020
• 10 Tips For The Perfect Christmas Tablescape22nd November 2020
• 11 Mince Pie Filling, Mince Pies How To Make Recipes20th November 2020
• Get Baking for Biscuit Week: Aldi’s Brand-New Recipes29th September 2020
• 9 Creepy And Scary Halloween Themed Recipes6th September 2020
• 5 Mix And Match Salad Jar Recipes To Try Out24th June 2020
• 4 Ways To Pimp Up Your Pimms: Delicious Recipes1st June 2020
• Super Green Pumpkin Pesto: Gluten & Dairy Free, Vegan27th May 2020
• 6 Fun Recipes with Raspberry To Try Out Today25th May 2020
• 3 Yummy Mug Cake Ideas: Homemade Cakes In Cups24th May 2020
• 9 Yummy Recipes Using Monty Bojangles Truffles21st May 2020
• BerryWorld Strawberry, Crab and Avocado Salad13th May 2020
• Big Fruit Trifle: Celebrations Not Complete Without One9th May 2020
• Afternoon Tea Settings & 7 Tips For The Perfect Spread4th May 2020

Latest From The Blog:

• I Never Promised You Rose Gold Coloured Earrings!!30th November 2020
• Walnut And Cranberry Pie: Christmas Cracked!!29th November 2020
• Cranberry Glazed Christmas Ham: A Classic Recipe28th November 2020
• A Walk Over Tower Bridge: Thing’s To Do In London27th November 2020
• My Desert Island Discs Playlist Of Song’s I Love26th November 2020
• Parfait Day: Layer Up Your Fruit, Cream And Nuts25th November 2020
• Finding Out My Dogs Tumours Were Cancer24th November 2020
• 5 Recipes For National Espresso Day. How Yummy!!23rd November 2020
• 10 Tips For The Perfect Christmas Tablescape22nd November 2020
• 11 Mince Pie Filling, Mince Pies How To Make Recipes20th November 2020
• Tips & Technologies To Improve Vehicle Safety18th November 2020
• 101 Sandwich Fillings – For Your Christmas Parties16th November 2020
• Mollie The Elf!! In Her Adorable Christmas Jumper9th November 2020
• Weekend Thoughts And A New Pair Of Walking Boots7th November 2020
• Visit To The Pumpkin Farm And Some Recipes To Try30th October 2020

ClaireJustine | Fashion By Claire Justine

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest |Instagram

BlogLovin | Follow By Email |

Web | Twitter | Facebook