Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Carrot Cake
User Reviews
4.9
Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Carrot Cake
Description
The cake batter combines almond flour and tapioca starch, providing a gluten-free base. Coconut sugar sweetens while ground cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt add characteristic carrot cake spice and leavening. The batter’s moisture comes from carrot baby food and crushed pineapple, along with melted coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract. These ingredients are incorporated carefully to maintain a fluffy yet dense texture.
The cake is baked in two 8-inch pans until golden and set with a toothpick test, then cooled before frosting. The frosting is a dairy-free cream cheese variety spread between layers and on top, giving a creamy finish without dairy. The cake also includes coconut flakes and pecans for added texture and flavor. The recipe highlights precise flour weighing and offers tips on frosting consistency, important for gluten-free baking.
This carrot cake suits vegans and those with gluten or dairy intolerances who want a familiar dessert. Serving after the cake returns to room temperature prevents hardened frosting, ensuring an enjoyable texture. The pecans can be increased for garnish to enhance nuttiness.
Ingredients
- 3 cups almond flour 270 grams
- 1 1/4 cups tapioca starch 152 grams
- 1 cup coconut sugar packed
- 5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes unsweetened
- 1/2 cup pecans diced, plus additional for garnish
- 1 cup carrot baby food
- 1/2 cup pineapple drained well, crushed
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted, plus extra for greasing cake pans
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cans cream cheese frosting Miss Jones dairy-free
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper, greasing the sides with coconut oil.
- In a large bowl, stir together all the ingredients up to the pecans (including the pecans) until well mixed. Add the baby food and pineapple into the bowl, but don't mix. Let them sit on top of the dry ingredients.
- Make 3 wells in the dry ingredients and put the coconut oil in one, the apple cider vinegar in another, and the vanilla in the third. You don't want them to mix together yet.
- Pour the water over top of everything and use a fork to stir everything together until well mixed.
- Divide between the two cake pans, spreading out evenly. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 33-35 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan.
To Frost:
- Invert one of the cakes, bottom side up, onto a cake dish. Gently spread 1 cup of the frosting all over it with an offset spatula, letting some frosting hang off the sides. Gently place the second cake, bottom side-up, on top and gently press to secure.
- Spread a heaping 3/4 cup of frosting very thinly over the rest of the stacked cakes to seal in the crumbs. (It doesn't have to look pretty yet.) Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or until the frosting is hard.
- Spread the rest of the frosting all over the cake and decorate with pecans.
Notes
- Weigh almond flour accurately to ensure proper texture in gluten-free baking.
- If frosting is too firm, gently warm it for 6-10 seconds in the microwave to soften before spreading.
- Chill the cake before serving, but allow it to reach room temperature so the frosting is soft and creamy.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 16People
Amount Per Serving
Calories 493 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 493kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 45.5g | 15% |
| Protein | 4.1g | 8% |
| Fat | 33.1g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 17.1g | 86% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.9g | 5% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1.7g | 9% |
| Sodium | 143mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 24.6mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 2.5g | 10% |
| Sugar | 31.4g | 63% |
| Vitamin C | 1.1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 38mg | 4% |
| Iron | 0.8mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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