Christmas Carrot Pineapple Cake Recipe

1 cup raisins
5 tablespoons of unsweetened apple juice
4 eggs
½ cup canola oil
¾ cup plain yogurt
½ cup unsweetened applesauce, or one 4-ounce jar applesauce baby food
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon Stevia
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
3¼ cups grated carrots (about 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons honey
One 15-ounce can unsweetened, crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup chopped walnuts

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 15 x 10 inch cake pan.
2. Combine the raisins and apple juice in a microwave-safe bowl and cover with wax paper. Cook on High for 30 to 40 seconds, until the raisins are plump and soft; set aside.
3. Combine the eggs, oil, yogurt, applesauce, brown sugar, Stevia, and vanilla in a large bowl. Using a mixer at medium speed, beat until well blended.
4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the coconut. Gradually add the coconut mixture to the egg mixture. Stir in the carrots, honey, raisins and juices, and the pineapple. Fold in the walnuts.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing to make the top level. Bake 40 to 50 minutes, until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. Serve plain or with a topping of whipped cream and vanilla sweetened to taste with Stevia, if desired.

Serves 20 to 24

Tips From Our Test Kitchen: Stevia is a natural, very powerful sweetener available at most natural food centers.