Sticky spiced carrot cake (vegan version too!)

Before everyone freaks out about the recipe below not being vegan, have a look at the yummy vegan recipe Lush Cosmetics posted HERE 

I was inspired to make my own since I had a couple of Medjool dates laying around from the holidays that were all nicely diced up and ready to dive into a recipe!  I did alter the recipe so it's no longer vegan, but it's still super delicious.   So if you want the vegan recipe click the link above and start baking and if you want to give this version a try then here you go... 

Carrot Cake

Mix together dry ingredients:

 1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

Mix together:

1/2 cup of pitted, diced medjool dates

Fine lemon zest, from one fresh lemon

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tbsp yogurt

1 egg

3 tbsp oil

6 tablespoons real maple syrup

1/4 cup brown sugar

Add:

1 cup peeled, grated carrots

Topping:

1/2 cup of pecan pieces

Directions: 

Grease 1 8X8 square pan, add a strip of parchment for easy removal of cake. Preheat oven to 350 F

Mix dry ingredients together.  Mix wet ingredients together, add dry to wet and blend. 

Pour in prepared pan, sprinkle nuts over top and bake for 30 minutes.

Adding the cardamom was my touch, since it was in the same bag as my other baking spiced I figured why not throw some in there! I also forgot to incorporate the pecans so I just put them on top before baking. What makes this recipe super special is the GINGER so DO NOT LEAVE IT OUT, use FRESH ginger and lots of it.  I probably put in close to 1 1/2 tbsp!! Ohh it's just soooooooo good. 

Carrot Cupcake recipe is coming soon as soon they get frosted and a photoshoot :)

Some cats enjoy laying in the sun while I do the baking..

... and the other collects all here "babies" (stuffed animals) by carrying them downstairs one by one in her mouth and spread them across the kitchen floor to "sun" along side her..