Sugar free carrot cake made with apple juice concentrate and pineapple, plus a honey cream cheese frosting.
Because sugar free week can't be all cold and creamy ice cream, I made us miniature sugar free carrot cake bites!
They're naturally sweetened, which, in my book, means: no funky sugars, chemicals, or trips to the health food store required---not that I dislike going to the health food store. Actually, I love love love it.
Some women shop for shoes, I shop for food. I'm in a constant struggle to keep a reasonable amount of food in my pantry versus buying one of everything that looks good. We are just two mouths here!
Well, three, but one member of the household does not eat people food...except for the smallest curlicue of carrot that fell from one of these cake bites. (This was immediately followed by the google search 'my dog just ate ___', at least the 165th time I've filled in that blank since getting a dog).
So, sugar free carrot cake. It's a big deal in this house. It was one of the layers of our wedding cake. I make it a few times a year, and I always wrinkle my nose at how much sugar is required. I know sugar makes for a tender cake, but isn't there a way to enjoy carrot cake for breakfast without a sugar spike? Yes ma'am! Or, sir. Sorry.
This cake is sweetened with apple juice concentrate. Read the label on the can---it should have only one ingredient...um, apples. Maaaaaybe some water, but never anything else. We're only using 3 tablespoons for these mini carrot cakes. I'm dreaming up a dinner for two that includes apple-stuffed pork chops to use up the rest of the can. Stay tuned for that one, friends!
I hope you love this sugar free carrot cake recipe with honey cream cheese frosting!
Did you know: I have 5 different sizes of small carrot cake on this site?
-this healthy carrot cake, of course
-this carrot cake for two made in ramekins
-a single layer carrot cake made in a 8×8” brownie pan
-my 6” small carrot cake
-and of course, a small batch of carrot cake cupcakes
Refined sugar free carrot cake bites. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.Carrot Cake, naturally
Ingredients
For the carrot cakes:
For the whipped cream cheese honey frosting:
Instructions
Recommended Products
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 113Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 113mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 0gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g
Krista says
Love the idea of "lower" sugar carrot cake! Can't wait to try.
As for your pup, and food. We are foodies too, and actually used to cook our puppy-girl's food, using a lot of ingredients from the garden and farmers' markets. A majority of whole foods are safe for dogs, but watch out for onions, tomatoes, and grapes. Those are no-nos for dogs.
Christina Lane says
Tomatoes are bad for dogs? You don't say! Dovi ate an entire green tomato (with stem) on Saturday. I thought for sure he was going to be sick. I watched him like a hawk all day. He was totally fine! I'm perplexed. I'm always making sure he doesn't eat random things off the ground (except this one time, hah!), and then the one time I think he's going to be sick for sure, he's fine. So weird. Anyway, thanks for the dog advice :)
Jen @ Marshmallows and Margaritas says
What an excellent idea for a natural sweetener! These sound delicious and look adorable.
I have the same problem with food shopping -- my mom, husband and basically everyone else who ever looks in our cupboard (including our movers!) makes fun of me for the ridiculous amount of food we have for just two people. But I can't help it!
Also, it's hilarious that your dog ate a piece of carrot! The dog we had when I was growing up would eat anything -- edible or not, including things that are supposedly poisonous for dogs -- except carrots. Not sure what his aversion was, but he would not touch them.
Angie says
These sound delicious and I'll be trying them soon! I also wanted to comment on your plate; is it Peacock Fiesta? Fiesta is my favorite!
Christina Lane says
Yes, it is, Angie! Good eye! My mom collects Fiesta, and I borrow it from her :)
sippitysup says
I know this is intended to be sugar free. But I just have to say your presentation inspired me so much. I'm going to candy some carrot curls (like candied orange peel) and see what I come up with. However it will require sugar, shhhh. GREG
Christina Lane says
Oh, Greg. Your heart is candied in sugar. I was only sugar free for a week. I'm back to main lining the stuff ;) xo
Paula says
I would love these but I'm the only one in the family who likes coconut. Do you have a suggestion for replacing the coconut elements?
Audrey says
Not only no sugar added, but these look like they are reduced fat too Yeah! Found you on #stumblebloggers.
Elisabeth says
I don't really understand why you say this is a "natural" sweetener... Apples are treated with all kinds of chemical compounds over 25 times in their growing process. As this apple juice is concentrated, these chemical products are also concentrated. Another point : fructose (sugar from fruits) is not really healthy either...
The idea is great, but maybe there is another way ?
Mark @best juicer review says
Fantastic! Never thought you could include carrots in such a set up. Just love risk takers; without people like you we'd still be stuck in stone age
Laurie Harder says
We own a B&B I made this for a couple which are having a 1st year anniversary. I am celiac so I could not try it. I made a couple of adjustments for what I had in house. They loved it. I did not have coconut oil so I used vegetable oil, no apple juice concentrate so I used orange juice, I had only regular coconut so I used that. It did take a little longer to cook but our guests loved it.Thanks so much.5 star
Katie says
How well do you think it would work to use sweet potato instead of carrots, and would any other changes be required? I want to make this for my son's first birthday party, but he's so in love with sweet potatoes, I"d like to use those instead...
Christina Lane says
Hmmm..I'm not sure since I've never tried it. I would say make a test cake ahead of time, just in case? I'm just worried the sweet potatoes won't cook all the way through, you know? Best of luck! I'm thinking about my little one's 1st birthday cake soon, too! <3
Katie says
Thank you for the suggestion! We will see how it turns out :)