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5.0 from 3 votes

Easy Carrot Cake

This easy and lighter carrot cake is a guilt-free twist on a classic. Packed with wholesome ingredients and topped with a creamy, light frosting, it's the perfect dessert!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 267 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine kosher salt
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil melted
  • 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 2 cups freshly grated carrots
Frosting
  • 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, and line a 9-inch springform pan (or a 9”-square baking pan) with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour with 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon fine kosher salt.
  3. In a second bowl, whisk the 1 large egg with 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 cup honey, 2 tablespoons coconut oiland 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt.
  4. Add the wet ingredients over dry and whisk until incorporated and no visible lumps.
  5. Fold in the 2 cups freshly grated carrots. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 28-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  6. While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. In a clean bowl, add all the ingredients for the frosting (8 ounces full-fat cream cheese, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup honey, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract) and whisk using an electric mixer until smooth. (you may make this step ahead and allow the frosting to set in the fridge beforehand).
  7. Once the cake is done, allow it to completely cool. Spread over the frosting, then refrigerate for 1 hour for the cream cheese topping to set.
  8. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

  •  
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting so the frosting doesn’t melt into the cake.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting so the frosting doesn’t melt into the cake.
  • Use freshly grated carrots—pre-packaged ones can be drier and affect the texture.
  • Use freshly grated carrots—pre-packaged ones can be drier and affect the texture.
  • Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your egg, coconut oil, and Greek yogurt are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and a more evenly baked cake. Use an electric mixer to mix the frosting. If you do not have a mixer, you may whisk it using a whisk or spatula, as I did in my video.  Note: In my video, I did add the shredded carrots in the wrong step. I was having a really bad headache and not focused at all. LOL. But it did work in the end and came out perfect. 
  • Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your egg, coconut oil, and Greek yogurt are at room temperature before mixing. This helps create a smoother batter and a more evenly baked cake.
  • Use an electric mixer to mix the frosting. If you do not have a mixer, you may whisk it using a whisk or spatula, as I did in my video. 
  • Note: In my video, I did add the shredded carrots in the wrong step. I was having a really bad headache and not focused at all. LOL. But it did work in the end and came out perfect. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 267kcal (13%) Carbohydrates 40g (13%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.003g Cholesterol 38mg (13%) Sodium 270mg (11%) Potassium 74mg (2%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 25g (50%) Vitamin A 282IU (6%) Vitamin C 0.2mg (0%) Calcium 98mg (10%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 267

% Daily Value*

Calories 267kcal 13%
Carbohydrates 40g 13%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.003g 0%
Cholesterol 38mg 13%
Sodium 270mg 11%
Potassium 74mg 2%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 25g 50%
Vitamin A 282IU 6%
Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%
Calcium 98mg 10%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.