Carrot Cake (Gluten Free)

In my attempt to eat clean, I have been adapting recipes to be as clean as possible.  This week when 2 lbs of carrots were $.99 at my local fruit and veggie market, I decided to try my hand at carrot cake.  I think it turned out pretty good actually, for my first try.  I may make adjustments along the way but here is what I did.

Carrot Cake
Ingredients: 1 1/2 Cups pineapple (I had frozen but you could use a 15-ounce can crushed pineapple  juice included) 1 pound carrots, peeled and shredded (I used about 4 cups shredded) 1/2 cup almond flour (I use TJ almond meal) 1/2 cup coconut flour 1/2 cup dried unsweetened coconut 1/2 cup coconut sugar 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted 4 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon allspice

Directions: Preheat oven to 350º.
In the food processor with the grater blade I processed the carrots and pineapple. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together well. Pour batter into a greased 9x13 pan or two 8x8 pans or even make muffins out of it. Bake for 35-45 minutes. Cool completely, and then frost with cream cheese frosting if desired.

I tried a clean-ish version of cream cheese frosting...it was...ok!  That definately needs some tweaking for sure!  I used cream cheese, honey, vanilla.  Next time I think it will need a bit of lemon juice too.

Chewy Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 egg ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
zest of one large lime, finely minced
3 tablespoons lime juice
½ cup unsweetened toasted coconut
½ cup sugar for rolling cookies

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. If you haven't already toasted your coconut just put a layer of coconut on a cookie sheet and bake it at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Watch out. It goes from white to burnt really quick if you aren't watching closely.
In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Using a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth and very fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla extract, lime juice and lime zest.
Gradually blend in the dry ingredients and toasted coconut.
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll in sugar.
Place on lined cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. I made mine too big and they ran together. These do spread quite a bit.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks

Recipe and photo from http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/07/cookie-monster-hits-vegas-chewy-coconut.html#UWGz2iksc1FctoAB.99