Beautiful and Delicious - Raw Carrot Cake Cupcakes!

Back in early April, I found myself in the midst of a week-long juice fast and yearning for its end. Just as I had read, the first few days of "withdrawal" (from hot foods, from foods that are crunchy or chewy, from whatever your food vices might be) are the absolute worst, but they get better. What doesn't ever wane, however, are the daydreams about what you will eat when you are on the other side of this commitment. I knew that I couldn't just jump right into a T-bone or tear open a bag of chips; it is strongly suggested that you ease your way back into solids, meats, dairy products, etc.

And eating raw isn't just good for juicing situations, it's good for you all the time. Did you know that your vegetables begin to lose their nutrients (you know, the reason you eat them in the first place) once they are heated above 118 degrees? Sure, wilted spinach with warm bacon vinaigrette is DIVINE, but so is a raw spinach salad with grated beets and strawberry slices!

I just so happened to time my fast for the week leading up to Easter so that I could celebrate the holiday with family without having to say "no thanks, I'm juicing" while everyone else made a b-line for the barbecue buffet at my husband's grandmother's home. I came across this recipe at just the right time. They're raw, so my system could easily digest them, and they looked mighty tasty. Plus, they have "kid-friendly" written all over them. 

So I gave the recipe a whirl. I have to admit, I was very nervous. I'm a sub-par baker, so you would think I would relish the opportunity to make cupcakes requiring no heat and minimal hand-mixing. But the lack of cook time threw me for a loop. However, I always love pulling out kitchen gadgets, so I was more than elated to be using my Cuisinart food processor to get these gems on a plate. (recipe adapted from blog.hailmerry.com) 

Raw, Vegan & Gluten-Free Carrot Cake 

• 2 cups shredded organic carrots  
• 1/2 cup dates - soaked for one hour then drained, pits removed (about 6 dates)   
• 1/2 cup walnuts  
• 1/3 cup dried apricots - soaked for one hour then drained  
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut  
• 1/4 cup unsweetened raisins 1 teaspoon cinnamon  
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg  
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  
• 1 teaspoon orange zest 

 

1. Grate shredded coconuts in a food processor then remove to bowl and set aside.

2. Put dates, walnuts, apricots and raisins into food processor and blend until combined, but not a paste. Then add coconut, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, and orange zest and continue to process until well-incorporated.

3. Add carrots back to processor and blend further, until the mixture comes together. 

4. Fill muffin tin cups 2/3 full of the mixture, pressing the tops flat. Chill then top with frosting (recipe below) 

RAW Creamy Lemon Frosting 

• ¾ cup cashews (soaked for 1 hour & drained)  
• ¾ cup macadamia nuts  
• ½ cup unsweetened organic coconut milk 
• ½ cup 100% maple syrup  
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest 
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 
• ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup organic unrefined virgin coconut oil, melted

LÄRABAR review

I remember the first LÄRABAR I ever had.  My family just finished walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the cure in memory of his mom and before leaving, my husband grabbed a sample bar.  I hadn’t eaten since 5:30am and it was getting close to noon so I pulled out the nursing mom card and snagged the bar..  I loved it and went searching for it in local stores.  I couldn’t remember the name so I ended up picking up a couple different brands in error.  I couldn’t find them anywhere and eventually forgot about them.

When I started making the switch to unprocessed food, I knew I would need something that was convenient. When I am at school, I seem to be constantly moving and by mid-afternoon, I am hungry for a snack.  Thanks to Lisa at 100 Days of Real Food, I become re-acquainted with LÄRABARs.  I found the lemon bar at my local health food store and as soon as I bit into it, I recognized it.  I have tried a couple different bars over the last couple months and lemon is still by far my favorite.

LÄRABAR was generous enough to send me four different bars to review.  I received the box last Friday and within two days, they were all gone.  In the box, I found Key Lime Pie, Peanut Butter and Jelly, Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte, and Tropical Fruit Tart. 

He claimed Key Lime Pie first.

I made sure that everyone got a taste of each bar.  I thought my husband’s favorite would be Key Lime Pie but he loved Tropical Fruit Tart.  When I first opened the package, I could smell the pineapple but when I took a bit, I noticed it was balanced well with the other ingredients.  I am not a huge fan of coconut but it really worked well.  My children ate every bar and had absolutely no complaints.  I think in the end, my favorite was the Chocolate Chip Cherry Torte.  I could totally see myself eating this as a late night desert without feeling guilty.

They look calm but if I was closer to the ground, they would have been fighting over each piece.

Pros

·      The ingredients in LÄRABARs are food as my friend would say.  They are ingredients that when you read them, you know exactly what you are eating.  Some of the bars have as little as two ingredients.

·      No added sugar!

·       They are gluten free, dairy free, soy free, non-GMO, vegan, and kosher.

·      They are delicious and have a variety of flavors.  It is easy to find one you will love. Check out their website to see the variety of flavors they offer.

·      Many of the bars are on the softer side.  I think this is great because it is soft enough that I can give it to my 15 month old, who is still cutting molars, and he has no problem eating it.

Cons

·      The one complaint some of my friends have is that they are expensive.  I have noticed a range of prices when I have been out shopping.  The local health food store near me sells them at $1.89, which is the most expensive I have seen them.  Trader Joe’s sells them for $1.29 but they only have 5 flavors and they never seem to change.  One of the other Greenola Girls has spotted them at Target for 5/$5 but I have yet to find them, which is partly because I was looking in the wrong spot.  If you find a bar you really love, you can order them on Amazon.  Some bars even have a subscribe and save option… hello Lemon bars delivered right to my doorstep… yes please!  You can also save that way because the bars average out to be about $1.13 each.

Want another option?  How about free?  LÄRABARs has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway through Greenola Girls!  Keep your eyes peeled.  The giveaway will start April 25th, 2012.  Want a sneak peek?  Check out the LÄRABAR giveaway page!