Vegan Roast Carrot Cardamom Cake

Cake

1. If you’re making the marzipan roses, prepare your marzipan first so it has time to chill. See my Princess Cake Recipe for details on how to make Marzipan Roses.
2. Preheat your convection oven 160°C (320°F.) Grease one 9in / 22.86cm round cake tin and line it with baking paper. Grease and dust very lightly with flour to prevent the cake from sticking.
3. Add your roasted carrot (see notes about this in NOTES section) to a food processor and pulse until the carrots are broken up into small pieces but not completely pureed. Set aside. 
4. In the bowl of a standard mixer with a whisk attachment, add the plain flour and almond flour. Pour in the melted butter and mix on a low speed until it takes on a sandy consistency. 
5. In a large bowl, add both the brown and white sugars, baking powder, and salt. Whisk together to break up the brown sugar. Pour into your mixing bowl, add the walnuts, and mix together for about 30 seconds, or until the sugar has blended into the flour. 
6. Add the soy milk, roasted carrot mixture, vanilla, cardamom, and lemon extract to a large jug and stir to combine. Pour into your mixing bowl and beat on the lowest speed until just combined; about 20 to 30 seconds. The mixture will be very lumpy and runny. 
7. Transfer the batter to your prepared cake tin. Bake on the middle rack of your oven for 47 to 50 minutes, or until the top is firm to touch and a skewer inserted in the middle of the cake comes out with only a few crumbs clinging to the sides. 
8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the cake tin for 15 minutes before flipping onto a cake rack. Allow to completely cool before frosting. 

Buttercream 

1. Warm the shortening and butter in the microwave until it’s slightly soft to touch but not melted; 15 to 30 seconds. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer and use the paddle attachment to beat on a low speed until completely smooth and lump free; about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Whilst beating on a low speed, add 1 tablespoon of soy cream at a time until incorporated and your mixture is smooth.
3. Sieve icing sugar and add a cup at a time whilst beating on low speed. Add the vanilla, lemon extract, and salt and beat until combined.
4. Set aside until ready to frost your cake.

How to assemble your cake.

1. See my Princess Cake Recipe for details on how to make Marzipan Roses.
2. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut the dome off the top of your cake so it’s completely level.
3. Place your cake onto your cake board or cake stand with the smooth bottom side facing up. 
4. Cover the top of your cake in buttercream and smooth it out using a large offset spatula or palette knife. To create a whirl effect on top, place a small palette knife onto the centre of your buttercream, just touching the buttercream, at a slightly tilted angle and spin your cake around on a cake turntable, whilst slowly move your knife to the outside of the cake. The swirl pattern will appear as the cake spins. Decorate with your marzipan roses and serve.