Wholemeal sponge cake with walnuts, carrots and mandarin oranges

At home we love the classic carrot cake and you? I propose a small variation, a whole wheat sponge cake with walnuts, carrots and mandarin oranges I assure you that it is juicy, aromatic and delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 breakfast cup (mug) of whole wheat flour (you can also make variations such as whole spelt and whole wheat)
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 3/4 glass of california walnuts
• 1 cup of grated carrots
• 1 juice of a tangerine
• 3/4 cup brown sugar, panela or coconut sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• 200 gr cream cheese
• 70 gr of butter
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 handful of california walnuts

STEP BY STEP RECIPE:

1. The first thing I want to clarify is that I do not use the measure in grams because I use a glass of water as a measure. As long as you use the same measure for all the ingredients it will work.
2. First wash and peel 2/3 carrots and grate in a food processor or by hand. In the robot you will have more lumps and grated more strips. Fill a glass halfway and reserve.
3. Fill three-fourths of a glass with nuts and itchy. Reserve.
4. Squeeze a tangerine and set aside.
5. In a food processor, add the two eggs and the sugar and beat until frothy. Add the oil and beat again until emulsified, then add the mandarin juice.
6. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Beat until everything is integrated and finally add the carrot and walnuts and beat for a few seconds to mix everything.
7.  Preheat the oven to 180ºc. We will need a 20 cm diameter mold (so that the cake has a little height and then we can also split it in half). If you want to use a wider one, the cake will be less high and then you can use the cream to cover it instead of as filling. Grease it and pour the dough.
8. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes (I always say, every oven is different!). We check with a knife if it comes out clean, if it comes out stained, it is still raw. Keep 5 minutes more and check again. Take it out and let it cool.
9. In the meantime, make the cream. First chop the handful of nuts in the food processor and then add the butter, cream cheese and sugar and beat for about 20 seconds until creamy.
10. Cut the cake in half lengthwise and spread the cream on the base part. Then place the other part on top, decorate with walnuts and sprinkle a little powdered sugar if desired.

Now all you have to do is enjoy this delicious  whole wheat sponge cake with walnuts, carrots and mandarin oranges with your favorite drink and savor the #ElPoderdel3 , with no regrets because did you know that the #ElPoderdel3 nuts are the only nut that provides a significant amount of Omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels?

With all my love,

Mireia Alum

Check out my instagram @cocinayviajesYou will like it!