Joy, this is for you! :)

Here are two favorite dessert recipes that my kids LOVE!!! They are healthy options that are actually GOOD for you! Don't believe me??? Try it! And, then tell me what you think!

Carrot Cake
My friend Beth gave me this recipe which I know she found on the internet but I don't remember where...so if this is your recipe....SORRY! Feel free to comment here and let us know!
Makes 3 8-inch layers or a 9X13 pan

Wet Ingredients:
3/4 cup walnuts (I use my crispy nuts...Nourishing Traditions style)
1 1/2 cup peeled, grated carrots (3-4 large carrots)
3/4 cup crushed, unsweetend pineapple (fresh or canned in it's own juice)
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup agave nectar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour (I use spelt)
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.Line bottoms of cake pans with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
3.Toast walnuts in preheated oven for about 10 minutes, then cool and chop coarsely with a knife or in a food processor
4. Peel and grate carrots to a medium grate
5. Drain the canned pineapple (reserve the juice for another use)
6. Combine the chopped nuts, grated carrots, pineapple, and raisins, and set aside
7. Sift the dry ingredients together
8. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream the butter and agave nectar together until well blended.
9. Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating the first egg before adding the second
10. On the lowest speed, stir in the dry ingredients
11. Fold the carrots mixture in by hand with a rubber or silicone spatula
12 Bake in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes, depending on the pan size. The cake is done when it bounces back when touched lightly in the center.
13. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting

I don't use frosting at all unless it's for a birthday or special occasion...in which case I make a cream cheese frosting with all organic ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese, room temp
1 stick butter
1 box powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
melt butter and then beat all ingredients together.


I'll post my recipe for REAL FOOD CHOCOLATE BROWNIES later... I don't have time right now! But I promise...they taste awesome!