It’s perfectly acceptable to drink your dessert.
My sister made me my faovrite carrot cake for my birthday.  It was amazing, but sadly I can’t eat like that every day.  Well, I could, but it would require me to live in a sugar coma.
I’ve been working on a healthy alternative to my favorite cake for a while now.  In protein shake form, of course. 🙂
After a few weeks of tweaks with the spice levels, I hit it spot on. Â This protein-rich carrot cake batter even got the stamp of approval from my trainer.
He’s picky, so IÂ kept the green out for him. Â Feel free to toss in a handful of spinach as you see fit.
I love the ginger and cinnamon in the “batter.”  Those spices are what seals the deal to make it reminiscent of carrot cake.  The tofu makes it creamy, like batter.  Add some vanilla and nutmeg, and you have a cake batter you can feel good about eating.  Yes, you may lick the spatula.
Last night I tried it one last time pre-posting. Â I increased the spices slightly so that I could add more ice to create ice cream in my Vitamix without losing flavor.
It worked.
Carrot Cake Batter Shake
- 1/4 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 carrot
- 3 oz silken tofu
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 in piece fresh ginger
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 7-8 drops liquid stevia
- Ice, to taste
- 1/8 tsp Guar Gum (optional, but will add creaminess)
Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender and mix until smooth.
Makes 1 serving.
***
I actually went back and checked the ingredients a few time because I couldn’t believe anything so cake-like could really be healthy. Â True story.
What is your favorite cake flavor?
Do you add spinach to your smoothies? Â I felt weird drinking one that wasn’t green!
LOVE this idea – I love carrot cake overnight oats, but haven’t put carrots in a smoothie yet – although I do love carrot juice! 🙂
That looks so good!!!! I love the flavors in it! Anything with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and I’m sold! This will be perfect in the fall 🙂
Or in the spring for the Easter Bunny! 🙂
I’m skeptical on this one. I don’t see buttercream icing…
LOL! You could make a little coconut icing or protein fluff for the top…
I KNOW you checked the protein count of this smoothie so please share :)! This looks delicious, carrot cake is my favorite! There’s this one tiny deli in London which serves the ultimate best carrot cake (SO perfectly moist)..I’m counting down till I can get my hands on it…not long to go!
LOL! I know it with the powder i used, but it’s going to vary depending on what you have. Silken tofu isn’t as high in protein as firm – it will only ad 4g to whatever powder you use.
I love carrot cake flavored stuff, i just can’t resist that smell.
I sometimes add spinach and sometimes don’t. I just really depends on how lazy I’m being!
I never drink smoothies. I always make my protein powders super thick and eat them. This sounds perfect! I’ve been making a pumpkin pudding with my protein powders like crazy lately. I think I’m channeling fall…
I’m a vanilla girl with my cakes. I know it’s boring, but I really do love vanilla!
Really? I do about half and half. Often I have a hard time eating solids after a workout, so smoothies help there. and I love to turn them into ice cream with the Vitamix when I want dessert. 🙂
Carrot cake is my favorite!! I have to try this 🙂
Mmmm heck yes to this recipe Laura! I know I would like this, although I am sure just a few months ago I would have had my doubts! The first time I heard of a sweet potato smoothie, well I wanted to vommm lol. But they are great and I have one all of the time now!
Have you tried the butternut squash smoothie yet? That’s living on the edge. LOL! 😉
huh. You’ve got me fascinated. I’m not a huge smoothie/shake fan because I end up drinking them too quickly, but this looks like something I could chill and eat with a spoon.
Have you thought of trying a healthy mug cake? I don’t know if you’re a microwave person, but I’d love to see what you come up with (and I’ve been obsessed with mug cakes recently).
I always eat mine with a spoon for that very reason!
Ugh – the mug cake. I just threw one out last night. I’m working on it…
This looks delicious! Carrot cake just so happens to be our favourite kind of cake, and we love using tofu in weird ways like in dessert! This is a must-try!
Thank you! Let me know if you do try it! 🙂
YUM! Looks delicious!! My favorite cake is Funfetti cake (I swear I’m older than 8)! 😉
No shame! That’s on my top 5 list, too. 🙂
Yum and yum! German Chocolate is my favorite, but carrot is a very close second.
Ohhhh… German Chocolate Smoothie…
I have to admit that I’m more of a cookie than a cake girl (want to work on an oatmeal raisin cookie dough shake for me? ;D ), but if this is chock full of cinnamon and nutmeg, I know I’d love it! Great protein punch, too. I’m not big on adding greens to shakes, but I’ve been buying different protein powders that come with green/veggie content, so it’s the same thing without risking finding a chunk of wet spinach in my straw, yuuuck.
That would be a delish smoothie! I’m on it. 🙂
How are you getting chinks of spinach?! Have you tried putting the spinach in the blender first, so it’s closest to t he blades and gets well-blended?
I only have a magic bullet, and an old, over-used and dull one at that, so it’s pureeing days are over. No matter how long I run it, I still end up with large pieces of spinach/greens/anything in there. I’d love a vitamix, but I’m really working on saving up for some furniture for my house first–although I have to admit, I’d love to rearrange those priorities 😀
Not to be a bad influence… but i’d give up my couch over my Vitamix. LOL!
I decided this morning I have to get vanilla protein powder. What kind do you use? Is it … sandy? I can’t stand that gritty dirt taste. 99% of the time I add spinach to my smoothies, but this morning I opted out! Peanut butter banana and blueberry… it was delicious. I’m not sure my favorite cake flavor… like Allie above, I am more of a cookie girl.
I use Sun Warrior most of the time. I also have a bunch of GNC stuff. I don’t find them to be sandy once I blend them in shakes. I can’t stand any of them just mixed with water or milk.
Holy yum. I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate this. We went to brunch last weekend at this place that has the BEST CARROT CAKE EVER. And obviously I can’t eat it anymore. So I was pouty. And I’ve had dreams ever since.
This might help. 🙂
I hope it does help! Let me know. 🙂
LOVIEEEEEE! I think my fav cake is carrot so I am going to be making this FOR SURE 😀 I think tomorrow in fact!!!!!!! It looks amazing! I love that you used tofu!
Oh, Meg… you are going to LOVE it! Keep me posted. xoxo
So, I just made this and I am in absolute awwwwwe <3
Laura, you are amazing and most definitely my foodie twin!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, we are just twins in general ok? 😉
I have some blackberries and want to know your favourite way to snack with them 🙂 Let's concoct something tasty 😉 Whatever you like I will like 😀
I am SO glad you liked it!!!
Blackberries… The best thing I’ve done lately is use them to top a mix of Greek yogurt, coconut flour, cinnamon, a couple stevia drops, and a pinch of cardamom. It was such a fun Indian-like dessert flavor!
xo
Oooh this looks great! I love carrots.
I do add spinach to my smoothies most of the time.
I’ve actually never had carrot cake before and am not much of a cake fan. I do enjoy the icing though:)
Ooh I’m digging this recipe! I think I just might have to make it some time soon…I’m always up for new smoothie flavours. And I finally got some neutral-flavoured hemp protein, so that will be great to use in this!
I’m a chocolate cake girl, myself. Before I was vegan, I always used to love angel food cake, though. Man, I wish that could be vegan. Damned egg whites!
I quite often put spinach in my smoothies! I love a good green smoothie 🙂 I’ve even put steamed (and chilled) broccoli a smoothie once, which was surprisingly good!
How do you like the hemp powder? I always heard the texture can be funky, but I’d love to try some!
I actually like the hemp protein, but I know that some people just don’t. It does a have a bit of a “grainy” texture to it, but I kind of like that! I get Nutvia brand chocolate hemp shake powder. I think it’s pretty awesome 🙂
I’ll look out for that one – thanks!
that looks so good! I need to get me some good protein powder…although I hate spending so much on something I might not like! I had Jay Robb chocolate once and it was so good! All the others I have tried….not so much. Question about the guar gum: do you have to blend it awhile before it “activates”? I have some and it doesn’t seem to ever do anything unless I blend my smoothie for a really long time….then it becomes this awesome whipped cream like texture. Mine is kind of old so I wasn’t sure if that’s what is wrong or if all guar gum is like that.
Jay Robb is good, but the sodium is a little high. I like my Sun Warrior, personally. 🙂 Have you done to a nutrition store or Whole Foods and loaded up on sample packets? It’s a good way to try before you spend all that money on a bucket of it.
I have never had that problem with Guar… I blend maybe 30 secs on the Vitamix. Maybe it’s the high speed that activates it fast?
Favorite cake flavor….hmmmmmm. Any blend with bourbon will do.
Haha – are you on a bender right now?!
i’m loving your flavors here. Green is out, orange is in! hehe
Thank you, Heidi. 😉
I’ve got to start making smoothies – especially in the summer! All of yours look amazing!
They would be great if you’re going to be doing more strength training now!
I’m so weird… I’m not really a cake person, so this smoothie is right up my alley! I love spinach in my smoothies!!!
Except for birthday cupcakes, right? 😉
Oh wow, this shake looks insane – and hello, carrots of course you can eat cake everyday 😉
Just ask Barney 😉
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
True, carrot cake should fit perfectly into a plant-based diet. LOL! 🙂
I don’t always add green to my shakes, it depends. It’s so strange to me that it’s a no-no, is it the extra carbs? Love to watch you make it work and create fun recipes that are trainer approved! 🙂
No, it just having certain foods at certain times and the serving sizes. All a part of the master scheme to keep my metabolism where they want it. Or so I’m told. 🙂
We totally know what you mean! Some times we both have days where we’re not hungry and don’t want to eat anything! Those days usually mean salads, fruit, yogurt, cottage cheese and hummus! 🙂 Not being hungry/having no appetite is the worst!
I love this shake and it definitely seems like it would give me a feeling of dessert, which I love the most!
This sounds super delicious but a generous buttercream swirl on top would just make it perfect! 😉
LOL! Actually, I bet you could make an awesome “whipped cream” topping with coconut milk…
Oh man, I bet that is amazing!! I love carrot cake, so I am sure I would just adore this shake!
This looks SOOOO good. I can’t wait to go home n try it!
Thanks! Please let me know what you think if you do!