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Carrot and almond cakes are a perfect solution for so many eating occasions: breakfast, snack, end of meal, garden party or picnic, the combination of carrots and almonds in the preparation of cakes and desserts is always a winner.

These sweets bring together the needs of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease with ease and great taste: the two main ingredients are in fact almonds and carrots, a much-loved classic, the right mix of lightness and taste that brings to mind the flavours of yesteryear, the ones we used to taste when we were kids.

Since you will be able to make so many sweets with this recipe, you can store them in the freezer and take them out at the last moment, perhaps by popping them for a few seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in the conventional oven, and you will always enjoy them as if they were freshly made.

If you are thinking of breakfast, also try the Braid with ricotta, apricots and chocolate chips.

Carrot and almond cakes

46g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 300g almonds, peeled
  • 300g carrots
  • 250g sugar
  • 150g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 4 eggs
  • 16g baking powder*
  • 1 bit of vanilla from the pod
  • a pinch of salt

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, they may be listed on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Chop the almonds and carrots separately and set them aside. Whip the egg whites and set them aside for a moment.
  2. In a bowl or planetary mixer, whip the egg yolks with the sugar until white and frothy, then add the almonds, carrots, flour, baking powder, vanilla, salt and, as a last ingredient, the egg whites.
  3. Pour the mixture into cupcake tins of the desired size: they are perfect size for breakfast in the morning!
  4. Bake in a convection oven preheated to 160°C for about 25 minutes.
dolcetti-carote-mandorle-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

Carrot and almond cakes

Version with gluten of Carrot and almond cakes

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

In the Emilian and Mantuan tradition, it is one of the most popular desserts, the perfect end to a meal to be savoured piece by piece, perhaps accompanied by a delicate cream or, for the greediest and most traditionalists, with sabayon. Fragrant, crispy and crumbly: this is my gluten-free Sbrisolona, the cake that is best enjoyed down to the last crumb.

Compared to more traditional Sbrisolona recipes, this gluten-free version contains less butter and fewer eggs to make it more diabetes-friendly without taking away the richness of its flavour and inimitable texture: remember to break it up with your hands so that the pieces are uneven and form crumbs… which everyone will try to grab!

Preparing it is so simple that you will find yourself making it whenever you have guests and little time. And if you like crumbs, don’t miss the Oat and ricotta crumble.

Gluten-free Sbrisolona

55.2g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 250g almonds (of which 150g with peel and 100g peeled)
  • 250g flour mix for bread, brand BiAglut**
  • 170g butter
  • 150g coarse corn flour*
  • 150g sugar
  • 50g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 2 eggs
  • grated rind of 1 lemon

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Chop the almonds very coarsely, leaving some whole.
  2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
  3. Cover a round baking tin 30-32cm in diameter with parchment paper, pour the mixture onto it and spread it out with your hands in an even layer. Finally, bake in a convection oven preheated to 160°C for about 35 minutes.
  4. Once cooled, break it up with your hands into nice irregular pieces.
sbrisolona-senza-glutine-ph-chiara-marando

Gluten-free Sbrisolona

Version with gluten of Sbrisolona

Replace the gluten free Biaglut flour with an equal amount of wheat flour.