This vegan and gluten-free carrot cake recipe offers a healthier spin on the classic dessert. It is a moist, decadently spiced cake topped with a creamy frosting, bringing together the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy. The best part is that it's made with simple ingredients and is equally delicious as its traditional counterpart.
The recipe calls for some ingredients such as gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and flax eggs which might not be readily available in your pantry. The gluten-free flour blend is used as a substitute for wheat flour to keep the recipe gluten-free. It can be found in the gluten-free aisle of most supermarkets or health food stores. Flax eggs, made from ground flax seeds and water, are a common vegan substitute for eggs. They can be made at home or purchased premade from health food stores.
Key Ingredients for Vegan and Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Gluten-free all-purpose flour blend: An excellent substitute for wheat flour for those following a gluten-free diet. It provides the structure for the cake.
Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger: These spices add warmth and depth to the flavor of the cake.
Carrots: The star ingredient that provides natural sweetness and moistness to the cake.
Granulated and light brown sugar: These sugars provide sweetness while the molasses in the brown sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor.
Flax eggs: This is a vegan substitute for eggs that helps bind the ingredients together.
Vegetable oil: This makes the cake moist. It's a neutral oil that lets the flavors of the other ingredients shine.
Pecans: These add a crunchy texture. They can be swapped with other nuts like walnuts.
Vegan butter: Used in the frosting, it provides a creamy, smooth texture.
Non-dairy milk: This helps thin out the frosting to the right consistency.
One reader, Birgit Mccutcheon says:
This vegan and gluten-free carrot cake recipe is a game-changer! The cake is moist, flavorful, and the frosting is heavenly. It's hard to believe it's vegan and gluten-free. I love that it's healthier and still incredibly delicious. I'll be making this again and again!
Techniques Required for Baking a Perfect Carrot Cake
How to prepare the cake pans: Grease the inside of the cake pans with cooking spray or butter, then dust with gluten-free flour until the grease is completely covered.
How to shred carrots: Use a food processor fitted with the large shredding disk to shred the carrots.
How to make the vegan gluten-free “cream cheese” frosting: Combine all frosting ingredients in a stand mixer or food processor and mix until smooth and combined. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk to thin or more powdered sugar to thicken.
How To Make Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2½cupsgluten-free all-purpose flour blend,I used Bob’s Red Mill GF All-Purpose Baking Flour, plus extra for dusting the pans
- 1tbspground cinnamon
- 1¼tspbaking powder
- 1¼tspbaking soda
- 1tspsalt
- ½tspground nutmeg
- pinch of ground cloves
- pinch of ground ginger
- 1lbcarrots,peeled
- 1cupgranulated sugar
- 1cuplight brown sugar, packed
- 4flax eggs,¼ cup ground flaxmeal and ¾ cup water
- ¾cupVegetable Oil
- 1cupchopped pecans or walnuts,optional
- 8cupsgluten-free powdered sugar
- 1½cupsvegan butter or margarine
- 3tbspnon-dairy milk,I used unsweetened almond milk
- 1tbspapple cider vinegar
- 2tspvanilla extract
- 1tsplemon juice
- pinch of salt
Instructions
ADJUST OVEN RACK TO THE MIDDLE POSITION, AND PREHEAT TO 350 DEGREES F. USE COOKING SPRAY OR BUTTER TO THOROUGHLY GREASE THE INSIDE OF EITHER:
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-1 13×19-inch baking pan, or
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-2 9-inch round cake pans, or
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-3 8-inch round cake pans
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Then dust the inside of each pan with gluten-free flour until the grease is completely covered and no spots of the pan are visible.
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In a separate bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, cloves and ginger together until combined.
POUR BATTER EVENLY INTO THE PREPARED PAN(S). BAKE UNTIL A TOOTHPICK INSERTED INTO THE CENTER OF THE CAKE COMES OUT CLEAN, ABOUT:
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In a food processor fitted with the large shredding disk, shred carrots. Then transfer them to the mixing bowl with the flour. Wipe clean the food processor bowl, and fit with the metal blade (in place of the shredding disk). Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar and flax eggs and process until frothy and throughly combined, about 20 seconds. With processor running, add oil in a steady stream. Process until egg mixture is light in color and well emulsified, about 20 more seconds.
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Transfer egg mixture to the large bowl with the carrots and flour. Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture until thoroughly combined. If using nuts, stir them in until combined.
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-30-35 minutes for the 9×13-inch baking pan
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-25-30 minutes for the two 9-inch round cake pans, or
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-18-23 minutes for the three 8-inch round cake pans
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Let cake cool completely in the pan(s) on a wire rack, about 1 hour. Run a knife around the edge of the cake to loosen. Remove cake, if transferring to a different serving platter, and frost as desired.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN GLUTEN-FREE “CREAM CHEESE” FROSTING:
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Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer or food processor, and mix until smooth and combined. If the frosting is too thick, add in some extra milk to thin. If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar to thicken.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1510.47kcal
- Fat: 75.41g
- Saturated Fat: 41.26g
- Trans Fat: 0.27g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 21.61g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 7.08g
- Carbohydrates: 210.88g
- Fiber: 7.62g
- Sugar: 174.09g
- Protein: 8.85g
- Cholesterol: 79.98mg
- Sodium: 777.53mg
- Calcium: 158.13mg
- Potassium: 324.81mg
- Iron: 3.11mg
- Vitamin A: 508.41µg
- Vitamin C: 3.78mg
Essential Technique Tip for Baking a Moist Carrot Cake
When preparing the carrots for this carrot cake, it's important to shred them finely for a smoother texture in the final product. Using a food processor can make this process easier and quicker. However, if you don't have a food processor, a box grater will work just as well. Just be sure to use the side with the smallest holes. This will ensure that the carrots blend well into the batter and don't create large chunks in your cake.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Vegan and Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Prepare the ingredients: Gather and prepare all the ingredients and equipment needed before starting to make the carrot cake. This will save time and make the process more efficient.
Use a food processor: Use a food processor to quickly shred the carrots and mix the wet ingredients, saving time and effort compared to hand-grating the carrots and mixing by hand.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you work. This will help you locate ingredients and tools easily, making the baking process more efficient.
Set a timer: Use a timer to keep track of baking and cooling times. This will ensure that you don't under or over bake the cake, saving time and avoiding potential mistakes.
Multi-task: While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting or clean up the kitchen to make the most of your time in the kitchen.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe measurements and instructions to avoid mistakes that could waste time and ingredients.
Chill the cake: If possible, chill the cake in the refrigerator before frosting. This can make it easier to handle and frost, saving time and reducing the risk of crumbs in the frosting.
Use pre-made frosting: If time is limited, consider using store-bought vegan and gluten-free frosting to save time on making the frosting from scratch.
Substitute Ingredients For Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipe
gluten-free all-purpose flour blend - Substitute with almond flour: Almond flour is a great gluten-free alternative that adds a nutty flavor and moist texture to the cake.
baking powder - Substitute with gluten-free baking powder: Regular baking powder may contain gluten as an anti-caking agent, so it's important to use a gluten-free version for a gluten-free recipe.
baking soda - Substitute with gluten-free baking soda: Similar to baking powder, it's important to use a gluten-free version to ensure the recipe remains gluten-free.
granulated sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that adds a caramel-like flavor and works well as a substitute for granulated sugar in baking.
light brown sugar - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup adds a rich, sweet flavor and can be used as a liquid sweetener in place of brown sugar.
flax eggs - Substitute with chia eggs: Chia seeds can be used to make a gel-like egg substitute similar to flax eggs, providing binding and moisture to the cake.
vegetable oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil adds a subtle tropical flavor and works well as a substitute for vegetable oil in baking.
chopped pecans - Substitute with chopped walnuts: Walnuts provide a similar nutty flavor and crunchy texture, making them a suitable substitute for pecans in the cake.
gluten-free powdered sugar - Substitute with organic powdered sugar: Organic powdered sugar is often gluten-free and can be used as a substitute for regular powdered sugar in a gluten-free recipe.
vegan butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, providing moisture and richness to the cake.
non-dairy milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a popular non-dairy milk alternative that adds a subtle nutty flavor and creamy texture to the cake.
apple cider vinegar - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice can provide the acidity needed in the recipe and works as a suitable substitute for apple cider vinegar.
vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract adds a sweet, nutty flavor and can be used as a substitute for vanilla extract in the cake.
lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar level of acidity and citrus flavor, making it a suitable substitute for lemon juice in the recipe.
Best Way to Present This Vegan and Gluten-Free Dessert
Elevate the plating: When presenting the vegan and gluten-free carrot cake, focus on creating an elegant and refined plating. Use clean lines and minimalistic design to showcase the cake as the star of the dish.
Incorporate edible flowers: Add a touch of sophistication by incorporating delicate and colorful edible flowers as a garnish. This not only adds a pop of color but also brings a subtle floral aroma to the presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the vibrant colors of the carrot cake to stand out. This will create a visually appealing and balanced presentation.
Artful drizzling: Incorporate a skillful drizzle of vegan cream cheese frosting on the plate to add a touch of artistry and finesse to the overall presentation.
Garnish with crushed nuts: Sprinkle a fine dusting of crushed pecans around the plate to add a delightful crunch and a hint of earthy flavor to complement the sweetness of the cake.
Use geometric shapes: Consider incorporating geometric shapes or patterns with the frosting or garnishes to add a modern and artistic touch to the plating.
Play with height: Experiment with creating varying heights on the plate using the cake slices or additional garnishes to add dimension and visual interest to the presentation.
Incorporate gold leaf accents: For a touch of luxury, delicately place slivers of gold leaf on the plate to add a shimmering and opulent element to the overall presentation.
Essential Tools for Making a Delicious Carrot Cake
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for shredding carrots, mixing cake batter, and making frosting. It is equipped with various blades and disks for different functions, making it an essential tool for this recipe.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining the dry ingredients, as well as for mixing the shredded carrots with the batter. It provides a spacious and convenient vessel for thorough mixing and blending of ingredients.
How To Store and Freeze Homemade Carrot Cake
Once the carrot cake has cooled completely, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you live in a particularly humid environment, it's best to store the cake in the refrigerator to prevent it from becoming too moist.
If you want to keep the cake fresh for longer, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing any odors from the fridge.
For even longer storage, you can freeze the carrot cake for up to 3 months. To do this, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, and place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. When you're ready to eat the cake, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and bring it to room temperature before serving.
If you've already frosted the cake, you can still freeze it, but the frosting may not hold up as well. To minimize any damage to the frosting, place the cake in the freezer uncovered for about an hour to allow the frosting to harden, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing it back in the freezer.
When you're ready to thaw a frozen carrot cake, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Once it's thawed, you can let it come to room temperature on the counter for a few hours before serving. If the frosting looks a little worse for wear, you can always add a fresh layer on top to make it look as good as new!
How To Reheat Leftover Carrot Cake
The best way to reheat leftover vegan and gluten-free carrot cake is to wrap individual slices in aluminum foil and place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps to retain the cake's moisture and prevents it from drying out.
Another option is to microwave individual slices on a microwave-safe plate for 20-30 seconds, or until warm. To prevent the cake from becoming soggy, place a damp paper towel over the slice before microwaving.
For a quicker and more convenient method, you can also reheat the cake in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the cake slice in the basket. Heat for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed to your liking. This method will give the cake a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the interior moist.
If you have stored the carrot cake in the refrigerator, allow it to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before reheating. This will ensure even heating and prevent the cake from becoming too hot on the outside while remaining cold on the inside.
To maintain the best texture and flavor of the vegan cream cheese frosting, remove it from the cake before reheating. Once the cake is warmed, you can either serve it with the frosting on the side or gently spread it back onto the cake.
Random Fact About Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is believed to have originated from Switzerland during the Middle Ages, where sweeteners were scarce and carrots were used to sweeten cakes.
Is Making This Carrot Cake Recipe Economical for Home Cooking?
The cost-effectiveness of this vegan and gluten-free carrot cake recipe largely depends on the availability and cost of the ingredients in your area. While gluten-free flour blend and vegan butter can be pricier, the use of carrots and flax eggs can balance the cost. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $25-$30. Overall Verdict: 8/10. This cake is a delightful and healthier option, but the cost may be slightly higher due to specialty ingredients.
Is This Carrot Cake Recipe Healthy or Unhealthy?
The vegan and gluten-free carrot cake recipe, while offering a dessert option for those with dietary restrictions, is not particularly healthy. Here's why:
- The recipe is high in sugar, with a total of 2 cups of granulated and brown sugar, plus an additional 8 cups of powdered sugar in the frosting. This amount of sugar can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues.
- The use of vegetable oil adds to the cake's fat content, and depending on the type of oil used, it may contain unhealthy trans fats.
- Although the recipe includes carrots, which are a nutritious vegetable, the overall nutritional value of the cake is overshadowed by the high sugar and fat content.
- The gluten-free flour blend used in the recipe may be highly processed and lack the nutrients found in whole grain flours.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of sugar in both the cake and frosting. Experiment with natural sweeteners like applesauce, dates, or stevia to partially replace the sugar.
- Replace the vegetable oil with healthier alternatives such as coconut oil, avocado oil, or even unsweetened applesauce for moisture.
- Incorporate more nutritious ingredients into the cake batter, such as grated zucchini, raisins, or chopped nuts for added fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats.
- Use a gluten-free flour blend that includes whole grain flours like quinoa, almond, or coconut flour to increase the nutrient density of the cake.
- Reduce the amount of frosting used or opt for a lighter topping like a cashew-based vegan cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze made with lemon juice and powdered sugar.
Enhance Your Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Other Alternative Vegan and Gluten-Free Cake Recipes
Suggested Appetizers and Main Courses to Complement Carrot Cake
Why trust this Vegan Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipe:
This recipe offers a delectable combination of vegan and gluten-free ingredients, ensuring it caters to diverse dietary needs. The use of carrots provides natural sweetness and a vibrant hue, while the blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger infuses warm, aromatic flavors. The inclusion of flax eggs and vegan butter guarantees a cruelty-free and plant-based approach, appealing to ethical and health-conscious individuals. The detailed instructions and precise measurements underscore the reliability and precision of this recipe, instilling confidence in its successful execution. Trust in this recipe to deliver a moist, flavorful, and visually stunning carrot cake that satisfies all palates.
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