You don’t have to use refined sweeteners to get a quintessential carrot cake that is moist and euphoria-producing. Healthy and scrumptious, this recipe is a total keeper.

This recipe makes 3 8-inch layers or one 9-inch by 13-inch pan.

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup walnuts
1 1/2 cup peeled, grated carrots (3 or 4 large carrots)
3/4 cup crushed, unsweetened pineapple (fresh or canned in it's own juice)
3/4 cup raisins
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup agave nectar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line the bottoms of cake pan or pans with parchment paper.

2. Toast the walnuts in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, then allow to cool. Chop the nuts coarsely with a knife or in a food processor.

3. Peel and grate the carrots to a medium grate. Drain the canned pineapple (reserve the juice for another use). Combine the chopped nuts, grated carrots, pineapple, and raisins, and set aside.

4. Sift together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking soda into a bowl.

5. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to cream the butter and agave nectar together until well blended. Add the eggs one at a time, incorporating the first egg before adding the second. Add vanilla extract.

6. On the lowest speed, stir in the dry ingredients. Fold the carrot mixture in by hand with a rubber or silicone spatula.

7. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, depending on pan size. The cake is done when it bounces back when touched lightly in the center.

8. Place the pan on a wire rack to cool. Make sure it is completely cool before frosting.