1 cup + 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon arrowroot, divided
2 tablespoons water
2 cups melted coconut oil
¼ cup vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon natural food coloring (optional)
1½ cups sweet rice flour (superfine)
Carrot Cake:
1¾ cups Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
1 cup coconut sugar
2 tablespoons arrowroot
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ teaspoon xanthan gum
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 cups shredded carrots
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 cup raisins
1 cup hot water
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
⅓ cup melted coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Vanilla Glaze (optional):
1 14-oz. can coconut milk (full fat)
3 tablespoons agave nectar
3 tablespoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon sea salt
1½ teaspoons arrowroot
1 teaspoon water
Instructions
Make the Frosting – if Using: In a medium saucepan, heat the coconut milk, agave nectar, and sea salt and simmer on me¬dium heat for exactly 10 minutes.
In a separate small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon of the arrowroot and water to form a smooth paste. Begin to beat the saucepan contents with a hand mix¬er while slowly drizzling in the arrowroot mixture to avoid lumps forming. Continue to beat the contents of the saucepan with a hand mixer until they come briefly to a boil.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and very gradually mix in the melted coconut oil, using the hand mixer on low to medium speed, over the course of 10 seconds. (The end result should be an even, gel-like consistency.) Transfer the frosting base to a 2-quart con¬tainer and place it into the freezer until the frosting solidifies, about 4 hours or overnight. (The mixture will turn white.)
Remove the container from the freezer and place it in the refrigerator until the frosting base softens. (This will take about 2 hours in the refrigerator, or you can leave it at room temperature for about an hour to achieve the same results.
To finish the vanilla frosting, mix the base until fluffy (preferably with a standing mixer or hand mixer on medium speed). Slowly add in the vanilla extract, food coloring (if using), sweet rice flour (½ cup at a time), and 1 cup of the arrowroot (¼ cup at a time). Mix together until the frosting reaches a creamy and smooth consistency.
Author’s Notes: The frosting recipe takes at least 6 hours to prepare, including freezing and refrigeration time. Plan accordingly.
Frosting can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container with a lid for several weeks, or frozen for several months until ready to thaw in the refrigerator and be used. Stirring the frosting well post-storage is recommended before using.
For the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Using co¬conut oil, lightly oil the bottom of a standard bread loaf pan (5" x 10"), or line a muffin pan with paper liners.
In a medium bowl, sift the all-purpose baking flour, coconut sugar, arrowroot, cinnamon, ground ginger, baking soda, cream of tartar, sea salt, xanthan gum, and nutmeg and mix them together.
In a large bowl, mix together the shredded carrots, unsweetened shredded coconut, raisins, hot water, unsweetened applesauce, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until smooth.
For Loaf: Fill the prepared loaf pan with the batter and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until a tooth¬pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
For Muffins: Fill prepared muffin tins ¾ of the way full with the batter and bake for 15 minutes. Rotate and bake for 5 more minutes.
Let the loaf or muffins cool for 20 minutes before removing them from the pan.
For the Glaze – if Using: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together the coconut milk, agave nectar, vanilla extract, and sea salt, stirring to combine. Bring ingredients to a very gentle boil.
In a separate small bowl, mix together the arrowroot and water to form a slurry. When the saucepan ingredients begin to boil, whisk in the slurry. Keep the mixture on low heat until it thickens, whisking continuously until incorporated.
The loaf or muffins may be topped while warm with the vanilla glaze or vanilla frosting (optional).
Recipe by Bakepedia at https://www.bakepedia.com/carrot-loaf/