1/2CPecans(1/4 coarsely chopped plus 1/4 finely chopped)
For the frosting:
2Tbl vegan Margarinesuch as Earth Balance
4oz.vegan Cream Cheese
1Cvegan Powdered Sugar
1/2tspVanilla
Lemon Juice to thin
For the marzian carrots:
4oz.Almond Paste
3/4Cplus 2 Tbl vegan Confectioners Sugar
2Tbl Corn Syrup or Tapioca Syrup
Orange and Red vegan Food Coloring
Cocoa Powder for Dusting
Carrot Fronds/Parsley/Dill for decoration
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line the bottoms of your cake pans with parchment and spray lightly with cooking spray.
Grate the carrots and chop the pecans. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the applesauce and sugar until the sugar dissolves. It should lighten in color a bit.
On low speed, add the oil. Add the crushed pineapple and vanilla. Mix until well blended.
Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing util just combined.
With a spatula, fold in the grated carrots and chopped pecans.
Evenly divide the batter in the pans and bake until a toothpick inserted comes clean, about 20-30 minutes depending on the size of the pan.
Allow to col in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes and invert on to the rack, removing the parchment, allowing to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting, combine the softened margarine and cream cheese. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Add enough lemon juice to thin to a spreadable consistency. Refrigerate if necessary.
For the marzipan carrots, add the almond paste to a mixer to break up. Add 1/2 of the powdered sugar to combine and then the rest. It should resemble coarse crumbs. Add the corn or tapioca syrup and combine well. It will still be crumbly.
Add one drop each of red and orange food coloring and beat until combined.
Turn out onto a clean surface and knead until fully combined and workable. You may need to use some powdered sugar if too sticky.
Shape into a ball and then into a carrot shape. Using the back of a butter knife dipped in cocoa powder, create some indentations on the carrots as shown.
With a toothpick, insert a hole where you will insert the fronds as decoration just before serving.