This delicious Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake is made with fresh carrots and whole wheat flour.
I like that there are so many options in this recipe that are friendly to different diets.
Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake
Since posting my recipe for my Whole Wheat Olive Oil Cake, I have received many requests for more cake recipes. A Mediterranean diet friendly carrot cake was possibly the most requested cake from my readers.
I think that many of use will agree that even when we are attempting to eat more healthy, there are moments that may call for cake.
Whether that cake is intended to be served for dessert or for a celebration. I will agree that we should 'let them eat cake', well in most cases.
There are those of use that wonder if it is carrot cake that is the healthiest cake.
Certainly, there are others of us that wonder if there could actually be a healthy cake. However, another way to think of this could be as a cake that is less unhealthy, depending on how you define 'healthy'.
Adding a healthy vegetable to this recipe does help add some nutrients to the batter.
In the case of this recipe, we are adding carrots (hence the title, 'carrot cake').
Also, we will make this recipe 'less unhealthy' by making a few other ingredient substitutions.
We all know that carrots are good for you and here is why.
It is indeed a fact that carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A. Carrots are also said to be an good source of caretenoids which the experts tell us is are antioxidants.
Here are more reasons to eat carrots.
Carrots contain potassium, vitamin b6, and biotin. They are also a a healthy and natural snackand are friendly to almost every diet.
Here are some helpful tips for making a Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake
I mentioned a moment ago that we will be making ingredient substitutions to make this recipe 'less unhealthy'. Please note that while these substitutions may make this a healthier cake, they can also alter the texture and the taste that you may be use to in a carrot cake.
Here are some more great tips for you.
- This recipe does not call for chopped walnuts or raisins. However, you are welcome to add up to a cup in total of each or both.
- This recipe also calls for apple sauce instead of using oil. I like the moisture and the flavor that applesauce lends to the recipe. But, applesauce often does come with added sugar. You can find a recipe for sugar free apple sauce here.
- This cake recipe does call for sugar. However, you can use a sugar alternative such as honey or a sugar alternative of your choice. Please use a granular sugar alternative that measures 1:1 with sugar for best results.
This recipe calls for two cups of flour.
Using an all purpose whole wheat flour only will make this recipe more friendly to the Mediterranean diet.
However, since this diet stresses moderation, you could also use half wheat flour (1 cup) and half another flour.
Here are some flour choices that may be more friendly for you.
- All Purpose Flour
- All purpose organic flour- read the label for this choice as it can be white flour, unbleached flour, or another kind of flour.
- You could try an all purpose gluten free flour- I have not tried this however, it is worth mentioning.
- All purpose, keto low carb flour- again, these flours are worth mentioning for those who are interested.
This recipe also calls for crushed pineapple.
Crushed pineapple is often add to carrot cake to enhance the flavor and help hold on to the moisture in a baked cake. You could try using orange juice instead however, I have not tried using orange juice in this particular recipe.
By the way, while you are here you may also be interested in these ideas.
- Low Fat No Bake Cheesecake.
- Mediterranean Diet Friendly Chocolate Cake.
- How to Follow the Mediterranean Diet.
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Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake
Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake
I mentioned earlier that this recipe calls for using only whole wheat flour in order to make this recipe more friendly to the Mediterranean diet.
However, since this diet stresses moderation, you could also use half wheat flour (1 cup) and half another flour.
Also mentioned above is that this recipe calls for apple sauce instead of butter or oil.
However, applesauce often does come with added sugar. You can find a recipe for sugar free apple sauce here.
Here is what you will need for this Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake
- Whole Wheat Flour (AP)- 2 cups. You could substitute in another flour for one cup. Thse alternatives can include All Purpose Flour All purpose organic flour ( read the label for this choice as it can be white flour, unbleached flour, or another kind of flour), or even All purpose, keto low carb flour.
- Baking Soda - 2 ½ teaspoons.
- Ground Cinnamon- 1 tablespoon.
- Eggs- 2.
- Egg Whites- 2.
- Sugar- 1 cup. I mentioned above that you can use an alternative. Please use a granulated Sugar Alternative that measures 1:1 with sugar. Alternatively, you can use ½ to ¾ cup of honey instead.
- Apple sauce- 1 cup.
- Greek Yogurt- ½ cup. Can sub in a milk product.
- Vanilla Extract - 1 teaspoon.
- Shredded Carrots- 2 cups. Allow these to sit on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to absorb moisture before you add them to this recipe.
- Crushed Pineapple- 1 cup not drained.
- Optional- Allspice,
nutmeg, orcloves - up to 1 teaspoon total. - Optional- chopped walnuts or raisins.
Here is how to make this recipe for Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake .
- Preheat your oven to 350 and prep an baking dish (9 X 13 works well) for nonstick.
- In a mixing bowl use a whisk or a fork to mix together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon (and any optional spices).
- Next, in a large mixing bowl,
beat together the eggs, egg whites and sugar ( or alternative) . - Add the contents from the first bowl (flour etc) to the mixing bowl wit the eggs and sugar. This works best by adding half of the bowl at a time, gently stirring between additions.
- Next, stir in the apple sauce and then the yogurt and vanilla extract.
- Lastly, fold in the shredded carrots and then the pineapple and any optional chopped nuts.
- Bake your carrot cake for 35- 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
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Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that are used.
This delicious low fat Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake is made with fresh carrots and whole wheat flour. Options for low and no sugar.
Mediterranean Diet Friendly Carrot Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
- Whole Wheat Flour AP– 2 cups. You could substitute in another flour for one cup. Thse alternatives can include All Purpose Flour All purpose organic flour ( read the label for this choice as it can be white flour, unbleached flour, or another kind of flour), or even All purpose, keto low carb flour.
- Baking Soda – 2 ½ teaspoons.
- Ground Cinnamon– 1 tablespoon.
- Eggs- 2.
- Egg Whites- 2.
- Sugar– 1 cup. I mentioned above that you can use an alternative. Please use a granulated Sugar Alternative that measures 1:1 with sugar. Alternatively you can use ½ to ¾ cup of honey instead.
- Apple sauce- 1 cup.
- Greek Yogurt- ½ cup. Can sub in a milk product.
- Vanilla Extract – 1 teaspoon.
- Shredded Carrots- 2 cups. Allow these to sit on a paper towel or clean kitchen towel to absorb moisture before you add them to this recipe.
- Crushed Pineapple– 1 cup not drained.
- Optional- Allspice nutmeg, or cloves – up to 1 teaspoon total.
- Optional- chopped walnuts or raisins.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 and prep an baking dish (9 X 13 works well) for nonstick.
- In a mixing bowl use a whisk or a fork to mix together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon (and any optional spices).
- Next, in a large mixing bowl,beat together the eggs, egg whites and sugar ( or alternative) .
- Add the contents from the first bowl (flour etc) to the mixing bowl wit the eggs and sugar. This works best by adding half of the bowl at a time, gently stirring between additions.
- Next, stir in the apple sauce and then the yogurt and vanilla extract.
- Lastly, fold in the shredded carrots and then the pineapple and any optional chopped nuts.
- Bake your carrot cake for 35- 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Recipe Notes
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Nutrition
Please note: Nutritional data has been calculated using a tool that comes with this recipe card and not by me. This means that Nutritional Information is only an estimate and can vary especially with ingredients that you use. The accuracy of this tool may differ from other tools as expected. Also note that there is no instructional value to the video that may be attached to this recipe. It is only there for visual pleasure. For more information about the images in this recipe, please refer the the recipe instructions. Thank you!
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