Chai carrot cake
<p>This chai carrot cake from <em>The Healthy Convert</em> by Nicole Maree is dairy-free and gluten-free, so anyone can enjoy. But most-importantly it’s delicious!</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span> </strong>12</p>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>30g chia seeds</li>
<li>90ml boiling water</li>
<li>1 chai tea bag</li>
<li>450 g gluten-free plain (all-purpose) flour</li>
<li>3 teaspoons baking powder</li>
<li>2 teaspoons baking soda</li>
<li>2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg</li>
<li>1/8 teaspoon ground cloves</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon ground ginger</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt</li>
<li>160g grated carrot</li>
<li>90g sultanas (golden raisins)</li>
<li>80g pistachios, chopped</li>
<li>80g walnuts, chopped</li>
<li>60g desiccated coconut</li>
<li>230g apple purée</li>
<li>110g rapadura sugar</li>
<li>400ml tinned coconut milk</li>
<li>165ml maple syrup</li>
<li>2 teaspoons vanilla extract</li>
</ul>
<p><em>For the icing/frosting</em></p>
<ul>
<li>180g raw cashew nuts</li>
<li>100g rapadura sugar</li>
<li>2 teaspoons arrowroot powder</li>
<li>220g orange sweet potato purée</li>
<li>2 teaspoons finely grated lemon rind</li>
<li>1/4 teaspoon ground sea salt</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla extract</li>
<li>1 tablespoon lemon juice</li>
<li>1 tablespoon plant-based milk</li>
</ul>
<p><em>For the crumble</em></p>
<ul>
<li>50g walnuts, chopped</li>
<li>40g pistachios, chopped</li>
<li>60ml rice malt syrup</li>
<li>1 teaspoon coconut oil</li>
<li>1 teaspoon cinnamon </li>
</ul>
<p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method</span>:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Line the base and sides of two 20cm round springform cake tins with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 180°C.</li>
<li>In a small bowl mix the chia seeds and 125ml water. Set aside until thick and gelatinous</li>
<li>Infuse the chai tea bag in the boiling water for 10 minutes until strong. Discard the tea bag.</li>
<li>In a large bowl, sift flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger and sea salt together. Add the grated carrot, sultanas, pistachios, walnuts and coconut and mix thoroughly.</li>
<li>In a separate bowl, beat the chia seed mixture, apple purée, rapadura sugar, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract and chai tea with an electric mixer until combined. Add the wet mixture to the dry and stir until just combined. Evenly fill the prepared cake tins.</li>
<li>Bake for 1.5 hours or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Stand the cakes in the tins for 5 minutes before turning out, top-side up, onto wire racks to cool.</li>
<li>For the icing (frosting), put the cashew nuts in a small bowl, cover with boiling water and soak for 30 minutes.</li>
<li>Drain and rinse well. Transfer to a high-speed blender or food processor. Add the sugar, arrowroot powder, sweet potato purée, lemon rind, sea salt, vanilla, lemon juice and milk and blend until smooth. Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.</li>
<li>For the crumble, add the walnuts, pistachios, rice malt syrup, coconut oil and cinnamon to a small frying pan over a medium–low heat.</li>
<li>Toast until the crumble is golden, fragrant and sticky. Set aside to cool.</li>
<li>Sandwich the two cakes together with a thick layer of icing. Smooth the remaining icing over the entire cake. Garnish with the crumble. Slice and serve!</li>
</ol>
<p><strong><br /><img width="169" height="235" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/36423/the-healthy-convert-cvr_169x235.jpg" alt="The Healthy Convert CVR (3)" style="float: right;"/>Note:</strong> Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days or sliced, wrapped in plastic wrap and frozen for up to one month.</p>
<p><em>This is an edited extract from </em>The Healthy Convert<em> by Nicole Maree published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $24.99 and is available in stores nationally.</em></p>
