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    The Butter Half / Dietary Needs / Gluten-Free Recipes / Easy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

    Easy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

    By Madi • Published: Jun 27, 2022 • Modified: Jan 28, 2023 • Leave a Comment • This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT

    Carrot cake is a classic cake staple, and one of those desserts that is a bonus because it is made of veggies! This gluten free carrot cake is full of high-quality, nourishing ingredients. Made with cream cheese frosting, this is a moist and delicious spice cake that is sure to wow! 

    So why even use carrots? Carrots add a natural sweetness and moisture to the batter. According to TASTE, in the 19th century carrots were considered a delicacy - "rich eating", if you will.

    Recipe Ingredients

    glass bowls with gluten free carrot cake ingredients on a dark wood colored background

    For this gluten free carrot cake, you need:

    Carrot Cake Ingredients

    • 2 ¼ cups gluten free measure-for-measure flour
    • ½ cup fine almond flour
    • 1 ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ½ teaspoon salt 
    • 1 cup coconut sugar
    • ¾ cups brown sugar
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅔ cup unsweetened applesauce (cinnamon flavored preferred but not necessary)
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 3 cups finely shredded carrots

    Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

    • 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
    • ½ cup butter, unsalted, softened to room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 3 cups powdered sugar

    glass bowls with cream cheese frosting ingredients; cream cheese, powdered sugar, unsalted butter, salt, and vanilla extract with a dark wood background

    How To Make Gluten Free Carrot Cake

    Cake Instructions

    Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Step 2: In a medium bowl, add the gluten free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside. 

    metal bowl with dry ingredients; gluten free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt with a dark wood colored background

    Step 3: In a large bowl, add the coconut sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until light and fluffy (about 30-40 seconds)

    metal bowl with wet ingredients; coconut sugar, brown sugar, and eggs with a dark wood colored background

    Step 4: Add the vanilla, applesauce, vegetable oil, and melted butter to the cake as well. Use the electric hand mixer to beat again until light and fluffy (about 60 seconds). 

    metal bowl filled with mixed wet ingredients with a dark wood colored background

    Step 5: Add the dry mixture and the shredded carrots into the bowl. Mix by hand until fully combined.

    metal bowl with mixed wet ingredients, mixed dry ingredients, and finely shredded carrots with a dark colored wood background

    Step 6: Grease a glass 9x13 pan and pour the batter into the pan. Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

    glass baking dish filled with gluten free carrot cake batter with a dark wood colored background

    Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions

    Step 1: Add the cream cheese and butter into a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.

    glass bowl with freshly beaten cream cheese frosting on a dark colored wood background

    Step 2: Add the vanilla and salt into the bowl and beat again. 

    Step 3: Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating fully after each addition. Beat until fully combined. 

    small glass bowl with cream cheese frosting on a dark colored wood background

    Step 4: Allow the cake to cool completely, then coat with the frosting. Enjoy!

    a slice of gluten free carrot cake on a round light colored plate with a silver fork, purple flowers topping the cake, and a striped towel lying next to the plate

    Expert Tips & Tricks

    • Make sure you do not wring out the carrots before adding them to the cake. The extra liquid in the carrots is necessary to get the right texture. 
    • You can add raisins, walnuts, or pineapple into your cake if desired. 
    • Feel free to use melted vegan butter to make this carrot cake dairy free. (You will have to make another frosting if you choose to do this.) 
    • If desired, you can bake this into two, 9” cake pans instead. If you do this check the cakes after 25 minutes.  
    • You can use a stand mixer instead of an electric hand mixer if desired. 
    • If you like a different consistency for your Cream Cheese Frosting, you can add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time to thin it out. You can also add more powdered sugar if you’d like a thicker frosting. 
    • Not all gluten free flours are the same. Try to use the King Arthur brand if possible. Cake must be stored in the fridge. Can stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days. 

    Recipe Variations

    • For a dairy free version of this gluten free carrot cake, swap the butter for coconut oil. About 6 tablespoons of olive oil will replace the ½ cup of unsalted butter that this carrot cake recipe calls for.
    • If you want your gluten free carrot cake to be more moist and have a fruitier flavor, add some crushed pineapple 

    Storage Instructions

    • Wrap individual slices of carrot cake in plastic wrap or storage bag and store in the fridge for up to 7 days 
    • Place carrot cake in an airtight container and leave it on the counter for 2 days
    • Wrap carrot cake in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 6 months
    a slice of gluten free carrot cake with the rest of the cake behind it on a dark colored background

    Gluten Free Carrot Cake

    By: Abbey Rodriguez
    PRINT PIN RECIPE
    Carrot cake is a classic cake staple, and one of those desserts that is a bonus because it is made of veggies! This gluten free carrot cake is full of high-quality, nourishing ingredients. This gluten free carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is a moist and delicious spice cake that is sure to wow!
    Prep Time 20 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Servings: 18
    Calories: 251kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 ¼ cups gluten free measure-for-measure flour
    • ½ cup fine almond flour
    • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
    • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup coconut sugar
    • ¾ cup brown sugar
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅔ cup unsweetened applesauce (cinnamon flavored preferred but not necessary)
    • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
    • ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
    • 3 cups finely shredded carrots

    Cream Cheese Frosting

    • 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
    • ½ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • 3 cups powdered sugar

    Instructions

    Gluten Free Carrot Cake Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • In a medium bowl, add the gluten free flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, add the coconut sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until light and fluffy (about 30-40 seconds)
    • Add the vanilla, applesauce, vegetable oil, and melted butter to the cake as well. Use the electric hand mixer to beat again until light and fluffy (about 60 seconds).
    • Add the dry mixture and the shredded carrots into the bowl. Mix by hand until fully combined.
    • Grease a glass 9x13 pan and pour the batter into the pan. Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

    Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions

    • Add the cream cheese and butter into a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to beat until smooth and creamy.
    • Add the vanilla and salt into the bowl and beat again.
    • Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating fully after each addition. Beat until fully combined.
    • Allow the cake to cool completely, then coat with the frosting. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Do not wring out the carrots before adding them to the cake. The extra liquid is necessary to get the right texture. 
    • You can add raisins, walnuts, or pineapple into your cake if desired. 
    • Feel free to use melted vegan butter to make the cake dairy free (you will have to make another frosting). 
    • You can bake this into 2 9” cake pans instead. Check the cakes after 25 minutes.  
    • You can use a stand mixer instead of an electric hand mixer if desired. 
    • If you like a different consistency for your Cream Cheese Frosting, you can add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time to thin it out. You can also add more powdered sugar if you’d like a thicker frosting. 
    • Not all gluten free flours are the same. Try to use the King Arthur brand if possible. 
    • Cake must be stored in the fridge. Can stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 216mg | Potassium: 58mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 0.3mg

    Up Next:

    How To Make Homemade Cream Cheese

    4-Ingredient Gluten-Free Nutella Muffins

    Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins (Gluten-Free)

    How To Make Homemade Chickpea Flour

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    Hi, I'm Abbey! Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist | I healed my body using holistic nutrition and herbs. And I believe you can, too. Here you will find nourishing recipes and wellness tips for the family, as well as my herbal cookbook, Root & Nourish. Because you can achieve your ultimate wellness goals using plants and whole foods.

    More about me →

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