Raw Xmas Cake with carrots

• 200g Medjool dates, stoned
• 100g mixed dried fruit
• 3 tablespoons almond butter
• 200g nuts (walnuts, almonds, brazils, pecans)
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ginger
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• Zest of 1 orange
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 carrots, grated (or use apples)

For the raw marzipan –

• 200g ground almonds
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
• Dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds to decorate

How to do it . . . . .

1. Place the dates, dried fruit, almond butter, nuts, spices, orange zest and vanilla in a food processor or powerful blender and whizz up for a good minute to allow all the ingredients to break down and come together.
2. Add the grated carrots and whizz again to combine.
3. Remove the mixture and divide into 10-12, rolling each into a ball and placing on a lined baking sheet/tray or large tupperware box. Place in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
4. Meanwhile make the marzipan: Simply mix the ingredients together to form a dough-like consistency.
5. Remove the base mixture and spread a layer of this evenly over the top – I used my fingers! Return to the freezer for at least 2 hours.
6. Pop out of the freezer and slice into squares. Decorate each with a few cranberries and pumpkin seeds – now enjoy straight away!