As spring comes into full bloom, particularly in April, the fragrant Gundermann plant begins to emerge along many path edges, gardens, and lawns. This vibrant herb is ideal for incorporating into your home during the Easter season and serves as a wonderful inspiration for creative culinary adventures. One delightful way to showcase its unique flavor is with a special carrot cake recipe that merges the essence of fresh spring cooking with a health-conscious twist. Being vegan, gluten-free, and free from refined sugar, this recipe allows you to craft a moist and flavorful cake that not only tastes amazing but also captivates anyone who appreciates the charm of wild herbs.
Why is Gundermann so great for baking?
Gundermann is a plant with a high content of essential oils and a pleasant, slightly sweet aroma, reminiscent of mint and lemon. These properties make Gundermann a great baking ingredient because it grows in abundance almost year-round, costs nothing, and is easy to identify. The Gunderman (Glechoma hederacea) is a herbaceous plant with a creeping habit that is often found in gardens, meadows and woods. Important characteristics for the determination are:
leave
Gundermann has round to heart-shaped leaves with serrated or serrated edges. The leaves are arranged oppositely and are green to purple in color.
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What is Samhain? The forgotten party worth taking a closer look atStem
The stem of the Gundermann is thin, square and creeping. It can grow up to 1 meter long and roots at the nodes.
flowers
The flowers of the Gundermann are small, delicate and have a purple to blue color. They grow in the leaf axils and flower from April to June.
Odor
Gundermann has a characteristic, aromatic odor that… mint and the lemon remembers. THE essential oil im Gundermann contains compounds such as menthol and cineole, which not only provide a refreshing aroma but also have antimicrobial properties.
With wild herbs all year round
In our book “With wild herbs and medicinal plants all year round“(available here), you will find not only the Gundermann, but on over 150 pages many other local wild herbs and medicinal plants that can actually be found in nature here. We designed this book ourselves based on our experience and it contains many photos we took. To match this, there is our everlasting
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Quick leek soup: healthy, vegan and deliciousIngredients for carrot cake with Gundermann
For a medium springform pan you will need:
- 200 g carrots, finely grated
- 350 g buckwheat Earth
- 150 g of walnuts
- 20-30 Gundermann stems
- 150 g of dates
- 200 ml plant-based milk (e.g. oat milk or almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- a few walnut halves and some Gundermann for decoration
Preparation of carrot cake with Gundermann
First collect the Gundermann. It is best to choose plants that have many flowers. This way the cake will look more colorful later. Then the Gundermann is washed, the leaves and flowers are peeled off and placed in the bowl. Now the carrots are peeled and grated. You can also grate them into the cake with the peel, as long as the peel has been freed from any residual soil. The buckwheat is then ground fresh if you purchased it whole. Otherwise, add the buckwheat flour and the walnuts, which you can grind or chop, together with the grated carrots. Then add the yeast, chopped dates and finally the vegetable milk to the bowl.
Now mix everything together until you obtain a homogeneous mixture and place it in a greased springform pan, decorate it with half a walnut and bake it in the oven at 170 degrees for about 40 minutes. After baking and cooling, you can put fresh Gundermann on the cake. This makes it even more spring-like as the Gundermann in the cake falls apart during baking.
These give us more recipes to read
More great recipes, inspiration from the world of wild herbs and medicinal plants as well as the carrot cake recipe to read in paper format can also be found in our Kräuterkeller magazine in issue 9 «Spring“(available here)
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Sweet potato pie that always works! Perfect for November coffeeConlusion
As spring unfolds in April, Glechoma hederacea—also known as Gundermann—quietly carpets garden edges, lawns, and woodland paths with its small violet-blue blossoms and fresh green leaves. Often overlooked, this aromatic wild herb offers a subtle, slightly minty and earthy flavor that beautifully captures the spirit of the season. Harvesting it during its peak growth not only reconnects us with nature’s abundance but also opens the door to creative culinary possibilities.
Incorporating Gundermann into seasonal baking, such as a carrot cake inspired by Easter traditions, brings a refreshing twist to a classic favorite. When paired with naturally sweet carrots and wholesome ingredients, the herb adds depth and character without overpowering the dish. A vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar–free approach makes the recipe accessible to a wider audience, proving that indulgence and mindful eating can go hand in hand.
Adding wild flint to a carrot cake recipe skillfully balances tradition and innovation. Carrot cake itself is closely associated with spring celebrations, and the combination with this aromatic plant imbues it with a unique herbal character. The subtle bitterness and earthy freshness of wild flint complement the natural sweetness of carrots, resulting in a rich yet balanced flavor. This combination embodies the essence of seasonal cooking: making the most of nature’s bounty and showcasing its best qualities.
Furthermore, this recipe can be adapted to vegan, gluten-free, and sugar-free versions, perfectly aligning with a health-conscious lifestyle. This cake uses healthy ingredients, natural sweeteners, and plant-based alternatives to meet a wider range of dietary needs without sacrificing flavor and texture. The final result is a moist and fragrant dessert that is both delicious and nutritious.
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First countries ban sunscreen: impact on vitamin D and the environmentBeyond its nutritional value, this recipe embodies a deeper connection with nature. Harvesting creeping privet helps people understand the local ecosystem and brings this awareness into the kitchen. It transforms baking into an experience rooted in seasonality and sustainability.
Ultimately, combining creeping privet with carrot cake is more than just a culinary novelty. It captures the spirit of spring—fresh, vibrant, and full of endless possibilities. By using wild herbs and carefully selecting ingredients, you can create a dessert that delights the senses while respecting the rhythms of nature’s seasons.
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