Raw Mini Carrot Cakes are vegan, gluten free, no bake, refined sugar free, and pure bliss! Topped with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting, they are the perfect spring treat and sure to please a crowd!
Grease/line a muffin or cupcake pan. I like to add thin strips of parchment paper along the bottom of each cavity with handles hanging out to I can easily pull the cakes out when they are ready.
In a food processor, add the walnuts, vanilla extract, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Pulse until the walnuts are just about crumbly, but not super fine. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
In the same food processor, add the dates and process until a paste forms. It will come together into a ball when it's ready.
To the food processor with the dates, add the walnut mixture, grated carrots, and maple syrup. Pulse a few times until incorporated, but don't overdo it as we want some structure and texture.
Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and add the almond flour and oats. Mix with a spoon/spatula until the flour has been incorporated.
Spoon about ¼ cup of the mixture into each cavity of the pan, press down with your fingers so the top is even.
Place in the freezer for at least an hour or two.
Make the frosting
Add all the frosting ingredients to a bowl and beat until creamy using a stand mixer or hand mixer. Taste and adjust: add more powdered sweetener/maple syrup as desired.
Assemble
Remove the mini cakes from the pan (may need to use a butter knife to loosen up the edges) and place on a plate/serving dish.
Frost each mini cake. Garnish with walnuts. Serve!
I have not tried making this recipe in a blender but I am pretty certain it will not work. It will become like paste. If you want to make this and do not have a food processor, I suggest: finely chopping the walnuts and mixing them in a bowl with the spices; blending the dates in a blender until a paste forms; grating the carrots extra fine.