Today's Gluten Free Carrot Cake boasts of layers of moist, mildly spiced cake that are flecked with shredded carrots and topped with a zesty cream cheese frosting.
Carrot cake is arguably the first socially acceptable cake made with a vegetable without the stigma of being...well, a cake made with a vegetable. Which is interesting to me because when you introduce things like zucchini cake or avocado brownies, these recipes are usually written with the guise of "no one will ever know!" or my personal favorite, "I promise your guests will never be able to taste it!"
If you're adding vegetables to your desserts, you shouldn't have to mask the flavor. I think in this respect, we could take a few tips from our friend, the beloved Carrot Cake, which offers the clearest guide on how to get away with eating vegetables for dessert.
What makes Carrot Cake SO good?
So, what exactly makes Carrot Cake the one easily forgivable vegetable cake that is commonly served on holidays year round, birthdays, and if I may be bold enough to suggest, even marks the beginning of our spring calendar?
1. Cream Cheese Frosting. I think one of the crowning achievements of this classic recipe is the frosting. I can't say I even enjoy cream cheese frosting on anything other than carrot cake. Another bold statement from me, but I'm a buttercream kind of gal when it comes to most cakes. There is something however, about a sweetly whipped cream cheese frosting paired with a cake that is speckled in shredded carrots and oozing with notes of citrus and warm spices that just works.
2. Add Ins. Let's talk about the variations for a hot minute. You not only have carrots which have a natural sweetness, but then you have the cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla. Today's recipe also has brown sugar which adds a extra richness to the flavor profile. I think what takes this dessert next level though, is the third layer of flavor which comes from the orange zest in the frosting. The oils of the orange is fragrant and brings a fresh note when kept in the frosting rather than baked into the cake. Other popular add-ins are pecans or walnuts, but because this cake is gluten-free and made with almond flour, I omitted the nuts.
3. Almond Flour. This brings us to our third reason as to why this cake is SO incredibly moist. It's an unintentionally gluten-free cake. I feel that the almond flour works really well here with its subtle nuttiness without giving the cake a coarse texture. I also used vegetable oil which combined with the shredded carrots gives this dessert a consistency similar to that of a spongecake. It's moist but not mushy or "too soft".
Let them Eat Cake
...And enjoy it too knowing full well there is a generous amount of shredded carrots in there. I can make an argument that Carrot Cake is kind of a 'health food' but we'll discuss that in a future post 😉 Until then, just enjoy dessert because life's too short.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 1 cake 1x
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup corn oil
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 4 eggs
- 2 cups Almond Flour (I used Bob’s Redmill)
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. cloves
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 3 cups shredded carrots
For the Frosting:
- 8 oz. cream cheese - softened
- 4 tbs. unsalted butter - softened
- Zest of 1/2 orange
- 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
- Combine the sugars, oil, vanilla and eggs in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer.
- Stir in the dry ingredients and the carrots.
- Grease two 8 inch baking pans and divide the batter evenly into each pan.
- Bake 50 – 55 minutes. Let cool.
For the Frosting:
- Combine the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, orange zest, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl, using an electric mixer; mix until smooth and creamy.
- Spread on the cooled cake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 10 pieces of cake
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Elisa says
Love this Gluten Free Carrot Cake, looks delicious and fluffy, love the idea is gluten-free, will make this soon. Thanks for sharing 🙂
suja md says
Truly amazing in taste and flavors in this recipe. Will definitely make again, very good recipe!
Beth says
This cake looks so incredibly moist. I recently found out I have a gluten sensitivity, so I'm glad I found a nice dessert like this that the entire family can enjoy without making me sick!
Tiffany says
This cake is delicious and perfect for our family holidays as my niece is gluten free. Now we can all enjoy the same dessert! Thank you
TAYLER ROSS says
I made this cake over the weekend and it was incredible! The texture was so perfect, you'd never even know it was gluten free!
karen says
omg this looks so so good! I love carrot cakes but never had a gluten free version of it. I can't wait to make your recipe, can't wait.
Brandy says
I so needed a gluten free carrot cake recipe to make. I appreciate you sharing this for me to try with my teenagers this weekend.
Celebrate Woman Today says
Awesome gluten-free option I could use. But I need dairy free as well. Will figure out what could go as a frosting.
Jupiter Hadley says
Oh wow it's always good to have a cake recipe that doesn't contain gluten, and carrot cake is perfect for this time of year.
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh says
It's intriguing how carrot cake seems to bypass the stigma, while other creations like zucchini cake or avocado brownies are often marketed as stealthy ways to sneak in veggies. It's a fun observation that highlights the unique culinary landscape of desserts. Who knew vegetables could be so versatile in baking?
adriana says
This looks so good and it's so pretty for spring too! Perfect for Easter and as a gluten free option! Love it! Thank you for sharing - it looks amazing!
Lavanda says
So glad to have found this recipe! We used it last night and safe to say may now be a family favorite!!
Yeah Lifetstyle says
Carrot cake is one of my favourites, I love the warmth of the spice and how moist it is. It looks so good with the thick frosting on the top. I will have to make this at the weekend.
Samantha Donnelly says
Out of all the cakes I love and bake, I have never yet made a carrot cake. i need to remedy this on my next bake
Luna S says
Yum! I love carrot cake, but I've never tried to make one on my own. I am going to try out this recipe, thanks for sharing it.
Melissa Cushing says
This cake looks increadible and I cannot believe it is gluten free! Gluten Free has come a long way and I am pinning this recipe to make sometime soon!
JRC says
This is the best picture of a carrot cake I have ever seen! Also, great point about not having to mask the flavor! Let the veggies have their moment in all recipes!
Kat says
This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipe sounds absolutely delightful! 🥕 The combination of moist cake layers, zesty cream cheese frosting, and subtle spice flavors is sure to be a hit. Plus, using almond flour adds a unique nuttiness. Thanks for sharing this delicious treat!
Paula Richie says
I love the point about celebrating vegetables in desserts and how carrot cake does it shamelessly. Was one of my faves when I ate sugar.
Renata Feyen says
Delighted to stumble upon this delightful Strawberry Banana Smoothie recipe! I have a friend with an allergy for gluten, so I'll pass it on to him