An Easy Carrot Cake Recipe – Gluten Free and Vegan
An easy carrot cake recipe
If you’re on the search for an easy carrot cake recipe or a recipe for a vegan carrot cake this recipe is for you and you will not believe how simple it is to make!
This is by far the best recipe for moist carrot cake. And is undetectable vegan, gluten free and nut free.
This is also a healthy recipe for carrot cake. Or rather a healthier alternative to traditional carrot cake as it contains no trans fats and less sugar.
Will be making this carrot cake recipe from scratch – no cake boxes. But if i’m being completely honest this recipe might even be easier than the instructions on a cake box!
Why you’ll love this cake
- Allergy Friendly- This cake is gluten free, nut free, soy free and vegan.
- It’s super moist and light
- Easy to Make – Cake comes together in 15 mins
Expert Baking Tips for this easy carrot cake recipe
Although this recipe is super simple. Here are just a few expert tips i’d recommend:
- Ensure your milk is at room temperature before pouring it into the dry ingredients, this will help prevent any lumps and flour pockets from forming.
- Make sure to mix the milk and vinegar together prior to adding to the dry ingredients and let it sit for 5-10mins to slightly curdle. This will act as your vegan buttermilk
- I like to use caster sugar in my cakes which is just a very refined sugar. So if you can’t find caster sugar I’d recommend using very refined granulated sugar.
Master the art of baking GF, DF & Vegan
Baking Free From 101
Carrot cake vegan recipe
Step by step instructions.
Start by combining your plant based milk and vinegar and set aside. Then combine your gluten free flour, xanthan gum, mixed spice, cinnamon and xanthan gum to a bowl and pour in your wet ingredients.
Then add your grated carrots whisk, being careful not to over-mix and transfer to your prepared 5 inch cake tin.
Read my post here on how to prepare your cake tin properly so nothing sticks!
Bake for 15-20 mins and enjoy.
Non-vegan alternative
If you don’t want to make this cake vegan, simply substitute the plant based milk for normal whole milk and the gluten free flour for normal plain flour.
FAQ’s
Ways to decorate a carrot cake ?
I like to decorate my carrot cake with a very simple design of using crushed nuts and sprinkling around the cake to create a border.
Other ways could be that you’d like to fully coat the cake in vegan cream cheese icing and decorate with mini iced carrots.
Best frosting on carrot cake ?
In my opinion, the best frosting on carrot cake is cream cheese frosting.
Can carrot cake go bad ?
Yes, eventually carrot cake will go bad. However, for this cake this will only start to happen when the cake is left for 2-3 days covered at room temperature. Or up to 3 months if properly wrapped in clingfilm/plastic wrap and stored in the freezer prior to decorating.
Does carrot cake taste like carrot ?
Shockingly, no. The carrot doesn’t really come through in my opinion. It just makes the cake really moist and adds a beautiful color throughout the cake.
Master the art of baking GF, DF & Vegan
Baking Free From 101
Storing and freezing
Will carrot cake dry out in fridge ?
Yes and no, if you store in the fridge for over 2days you will begin to notice thats its drying out, but if you store it for just a day, you will notice that it keeps it fresh.
Make sure to tag me@whiskmefree on Instagram and leave a review below if you followed this carrot cake vegan recipe. To pin this recipe and save it for later, you can use the button on the recipe card or on any of the photos above. Happy baking!
More recipes for gluten free carrot cake
Gluten Free Layered Carrot Cake
The best moist carrot cake recipe:
Super easy carrot cake recipe
Equipment
- 5" cake tin
Ingredients
- 100 g Caster sugar
- ½ tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tbsp Apple cider Vinegar
- 120 ml Plant based milk
- 80 g Gluten Free flour
- ½ tsp Xanthan Gum
- 20 g Almond flour
- ½ tsp Bicarbonate of soda
- 60 g Grated Carrots
- 30 ml Olive oil
- Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
Instructions
- Start by combining the milk and vinegar together in a jug and set aside this will be the 'buttermilk'.½ tbsp Apple cider Vinegar, 120 ml Plant based milk
- In a separate bowl add all the dry ingredients to a bowl, whisking together to get rid of any lumps.100 g Caster sugar, ½ tsp Baking Powder, 80 g Gluten Free flour, ½ tsp Xanthan Gum, 20 g Almond flour, ½ tsp Bicarbonate of soda
- Pour the oil into the milk mixture and whisk. Then pour into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.30 ml Olive oil
- Add the grated carrots and fold in.60 g Grated Carrots
- Scoop the batter into your cake tin and bake for 20-30mins. It should be springy to the touch, golden brown and skewer should come out clean when inserted.
- Finally whip together your vegan cream cheese and icing sugar and spread over the top of the cake and sprinkle with extra cake crumbs or crushed walnuts.Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
Did you make this carrot cake one layer ? Let me know in the comments and your thoughts on the recipe.
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I love carrot cake and have been looking for a gluten free recipe. I will definitely be giving this recipe a try. Thank you!
Brilliant!
This cake looks so good. I’m eating carrots and finding new ways I can eat them.. this is awesome. Thank you for sharing!
This is heavenly. I will definitely try this out!
This sounds so yummy! I don’t bake much and haven’t heard of Xanthan Gum or Bicarbonate of soda. Are these typical items you can find in the grocery store? Any alternatives you know of?
Hi Tracey, ah yes! Bicarbonate of soda is essentially what we call baking soda in the UK, so if you have this, it will work perfect. With xanthan gum, you can find it in majority of grocery stores and amazon, however, if you have a look at the ingredients in your gluten free flour sometimes it already has it added into it. So you don’t necessarily need to add any more. Hope that helps. Happy to answer any more questions