Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour2 cup granulated sugar1/3 cup vanilla plant-based protein powder1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice2 teaspoon baking soda1½ cups walnuts2/3 cup vegetable oil2 cup cold water2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar2 teaspoons vanilla2 cups chopped carrots Easy Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting8 ounce container vegan cream cheese (see note)1/2 cup vegan butter2 – 3 cups powdered sugarAdditional walnuts for garnish Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two round cake pans with vegetable spray. You can also place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the pans and spray the sides with vegetable oil.
Combine in a large mixing bowl the flour, sugar, vanilla protein powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and baking soda. Stir to combine. Set aside.
Place walnuts on a baking pan and toast for 5 minutes. Be careful not to cook too long because they will burn. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before chopping. Stir half of the walnuts into the flour mixture.
In a smaller bowl combine the vegetable oil, water, vinegar and vanilla. Stir to combine.
Add the chopped carrots to a food processor and pulse several times to shred the carrots. Pour the shredded carrots into the vegetable oil mixture. Stir to combine. Pour this into the flour mixture. Stir until just combine — do not overmix.
Pour the batter into your prepared pans. Bake for 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes before inverting onto a serving plate. Allow the cakes to cool completely.
In the meantime make your Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting by combining the vegan cream cheese and vegan butter in a mixing bowl. Mix until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar 1/2 cup at a time, until you reach a desired consistency, which should be spreadable but thick.
Ice the top of one of the cakes. Top with additional chopped, toasted walnuts. Place the second cake on top. Cover the top cake and sides with frosting. Garnish with chopped walnuts.
A vegan cake frosting is easy to make using vegan butter, such as Earth Balance. To make the vegan cream cheese icing, combine the vegan cream cheese and vegan butter in a mixing bowl. Mix on medium speed until creamy. Add the powdered sugar a little bit at a time and continue beating until light and fluffy. You also add crushed pea and to the icing.
