This month in the “Twelve Months of Grains” I selected the oat and this recipe for oatmeal apple carrot cake, https://www.bigoven.com/recipe/oatmeal-apple-carrot-cake-no-flour/3117668
Oats are my personal favorite. I have oatmeal for breakfast several times a week. Oats are an economical way to stretch your food budget. I blend oats into meatloaf and veggie loaves. Oats make delicious muffins, cookies, granola bars, and parfaits.
The oat is a species of cereal grass grown for fodder (food for livestock) and it’s seed, which is what we eat. Oat crops tolerate cold temperatures less well than cereals such as barley wheat, or rye, but need less summer heat and more rain making them an ideal crop for Northwest Europe. They are quick growing and more resistant to diseases than many other cereal crops and can grow in low-nutrient and acidic soils. Top producers of oats include Canada, Russia, Australia, Poland, Brazil, Finland, and the UK.
Uncooked oats are a rich source of protein (34%DV), dietary fiber (44% DV), several B vitamins, and dietary minerals, especially manganese (213%)>
Consuming oats can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and reduce BMI in obese people. Oats are gluten-free, however, there is a risk of cross-contamination from barley, rye, or wheat grown in nearby fields or processed in the same processing plants. People with celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity should use caution when consuming oats.
I chose this recipe because you can make it without using sugar, and the ingredients list is simple. It’s great for breakfast or as a snack or desert.
I made substitutions based on what I had in my pantry and refrigerator. Instead of raisins, I used Medjool dates. This allowed me to avoid using any other type of sweetener like honey, agave syrup, or Stevia which are optional in the recipe. I also added Ceylon cinnamon and increased the cooking time by ten minutes.
I like that this recipe isn’t overly sweet. You can taste the apples, carrots, dates, and oats and best of all, no sugar high like with other cake recipes. If you have a sweet tooth, you may want to add a sweetener of some kind. It’s filling without being heavy and has a nice texture.
Grains in the Twelve Months of Grain:
January – White Rice – Stuffed peppers (my own recipe – check our January 2026 issue)
February – Teff – Spicy Chocolate Pudding – www.teffoo.com
March – Oats - https://www.bigoven.com/recipe/oatmeal-apple-carrot-cake-no-flour/3117668