Low-sugar carrot cake
This dairy-free and low-sugar carrot cake uses natural xylitol to sweeten it and is very simple to make
100g pecans
140g self-raising flour, sieved
2tsp ground cinnamon
1tsp bicarbonate of soda
140g xylitol
2 large eggs (at room temperature)
140ml rapeseed oil
175g grated carrot
100g sultana
TO SERVE
drizzle of agave syrup (optional) 1 Preheat the oven to 180C/ 160C fan/ Gas mark 4. Grease and line an 18cm round cake tin with baking parchment. Set aside 12 pecans and roughly chop the rest.
2 In a large bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, bicarbonate of soda, xylitol and chopped pecans.
3 In a separate bowl or jug, beat the eggs and rapeseed oil together. Pour into the flour mixture and stir until combined. Stir through the carrot and sultanas. Spoon into the lined tin, smooth the surface and press whole pecans to form a circle around the edge.
4 Cook for 1 hour-1 hour 10 mins until the top feels springy to the touch and a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Check after 50 mins. If the cake is becoming too dark, cover loosely with foil. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn out and allow to cool. Serve slightly warm or cold. This cake will keep for up to five days in a tin. Before serving, drizzle with agave syrup if you have a sweet tooth.