I have an architect sister who lives in Detroit. She has a really interesting job and I am always very curious to hear about her projects. Detroit has experienced hard times and many people have moved due to loss in jobs. But as usual, a situation that seems hopeless may actually offer an opportunity to those who chose to see and believe in it. I believe that this is the case with a Detroit. It is a city trying to reimagine itself. My sister plans new use for banned buildings so that small local entrepreneurs are able to reclaim the emptiness. Kaija sent me the following recipe for her carrot cake and some photos along with it. It is an easy one bowl cake and moist and I thought that I would share it with you.
Kaija’s Carrot Cake (Vegan)
4.7 dl / 2 c flour (half white and half whole wheat)
3 dl / 1-1/4 c sugar plus additional sugar for coating
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cardamom
7 dl/ 3 c grated carrots
1.8 dl / 3/4 c olive oil
1.8 dl / 3/4 c grapefruit juice, fresh squeezed (orange juice works as well)
Grate the carrots and set aside.
Mix dry ingredients with a spoon in a large bowl. Add grated carrots and mix in, coating carrots with dry flour mixture.
Add the olive oil and mix. Juice one grapefruit (for 3/4 c / 1.8 dl) and add to batter. Batter should be just thicker than pancake batter. Add juice if needed.
Pour batter in greased and floured 9 inch/ 23 cm round cake pan. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake in the oven at 350 F/175 C until golden brown and when the tester comes out clean.
This cake is perfect to bring along to work to share with others. Enjoy!
tableofcolors 
Your sister, Kaija, would fit well in our city, too, where we are trying to reimagine ourselves. I think our imaginations would all work extra well after nourishment from her carrot cake
Yes, I agree that our imaginations will work better after having a slice of the cake 🙂
As a former Detroiter, it is hard for me to see what has happened to that once vibrant town. I hope your Sister is successful, as is her hometown. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy this wonderful cake. Thanks for sharing.
I hope they are successful and I know that my sister is a hard worker that gives 110%.
Oh, that’s the perfect recipe after the massive Christmas-Cookies-Overload 😀
I agree 🙂
This sounds very interesting!
It’s a nice option to have on hand!
I also hope that Detroit can recreate itself. I am sure your sister will give it that extra push… Great little carrot cake and it is nice to know that I can substitute grapefruit juice instead of egg.
My carrot cakes tend to be quite egg rich as well, this is a nice option to have on hand!
I love carrot cake – this sounds great!!
Carrot cake is my favorite too!
Beautiful post. I hope they can rejuvenate the abandoned structures. Excellent carrot cake! I love carrot cake and don’t make it enough. This looks delicious 🙂
Thank you so much! I hope they are successfull with their attempts, it is interesting to see pictures of sites that they are working on.
Thanks for this recipe, the lovely photos and the story of Detroit. I have just seen Searching for Sugar Man, a really beautiful doc on a singer from Detroit – it really captures the hardship but the beauty of the city.
Sounds like an interesting documentary. I’m hoping to be able to visit Detroit on my next trip.
This is such a lovely recipe to share. I’ve always wanted to try making a carrot cake. This came in time.
Carrot cake is one of my favorites. It is not overly sweet and with the whole wheat flour the flavor has more dimension.
Love this recipe — we have cousins that are vegan and I am always looking for great and delicious dessert recipes to make when we have them over for dinner! Thank you 🙂
Kenley
Oh wonderful, if it will work for your cousins. Let me know how it turns out!
Thanks for the recipe – so glad there’s no coconut in it because I’m allergic to it. The grapefruit juice is a great addition!
My daughter’s mother-in-law made a vegan carrot cake for her wedding. It was delicious.
http://rosannefreed.wordpress.com/2012/10/06/weekly-photo-challenge-happy/
Thank you for stopping by! The cake at your daughter’s wedding looks delicious with so many fresh berries on top!
I like the cake and the words. Detroit must be a photographer’s paradise as well with all the abandoned industrial sites…
I was actually thinking the same thing, I am sure that it is a wonderful place to photograph. I’m itching to go visit my sister and take the camera with to capture the scenery.
Detroit is certainly in need of help…I’m sure your sister’s work is very much appreciated.
I’m veg, not vegan, but this recipe looks amazing. I will def try it! I’m actually from Detroit, coincidence, but left a LONG time ago and never went back. I’m a SoCal girl since high school.