EST. 2011 BY LIZ RUEVEN
Carrot Cake: A Winter Classic Worth Revisiting
Photo: Liz Rueven

Carrot Cake: A Winter Classic Worth Revisiting

I had forgotten how much I love carrot cake until I tasted this one baked by Chef Genee Habansky, owner of Herbaceous Catering Co. in CT.

Carrot cake has been a dairy-free, seasonal favorite for kosher keepers since the 1970’s when it popped up on menus and was promoted as a healthy dessert. Sure, this recipe uses five large carrots to yield some natural sweetness, brilliant flecks of orange and moisture in every bite.

Seasonal favorite, sure. But healthy vegetable substitute? I wouldn’t try to make that argument.

dairy free kosher carrot cake Kosher Like Me
Photo: Liz Rueven

So what makes this carrot cake different from all other carrot cakes?

Chef Genee Habansky sources crisp local carrots from my hometown Westport Farmers’ Market. She ignores all of the other add-in’s we’ve seen come and go over the decades; no canned pineapple, raisins, nuts, apples or applesauce. She allows the organic carrots to shine in her simple and direct recipe.

While keeping this cake pareve (dairy-free), Genee makes a cashew cream frosting by soaking the nuts overnight and blending with coconut cream, sugar and a few other goodies to create a contemporary vegan spread for each layer.

Thick luscious maple caramel drizzle and candied pecans elevate this classic carrot cake to another level altogether.

If you’re a lazy baker like I am, follow Genee’s recipe for the cake and opt for an easy three ingredient dairy-free cream cheese frosting*.

Your creation will remind guests that classic carrot cake may be old-school but it’s well worth revisiting.

farm fresh carrots Kosher Like Me
Photo: Liz Rueven

Note: Genee Habansky will be the guest chef at a pop-up dinner at Chabad of Westport, CT. on February 1, 2020.

ABOUT: This series of kosher, restaurant style dinners intends to bring contemporary, elevated, kosher dining to our community in CT. For these one time events, guest chefs are invited to create and execute imaginative menus, bringing the excitement of innovative kosher dining to our community. All are welcome.

For more information and to join us  for dinner on Saturday, February 1, see the link here.

dairy free kosher carrot cake Kosher Like Me
Photo: Liz Rueven

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