Easy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Craving a classic dessert without the gluten? This is the BEST gluten-free carrot cake you’ll ever make! It’s perfectly moist, soft, and tender, packed with flavor, and incredibly easy to make. Think of it as a simple, one-bowl recipe that’s practically fail-proof. Topped with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting, it’s a delightful treat for any occasion. If you enjoy baking gluten-free, you might also like our Moist Gluten-Free Banana Bread or our Gluten-Free Lemon Poppy Seed Muffins.
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Get Your Copy TodayIf you’ve been searching for a truly amazing gluten-free carrot cake recipe, look no further! This recipe captures everything you love about carrot cake: a wonderfully moist crumb, a soft and tender texture, and a rich, spiced flavor from the carrots, cinnamon, ginger and brown sugar. This recipe is so easy to follow, even beginner gluten-free bakers can nail it.
This recipe is a simple one-bowl wonder! Just mix the wet ingredients, sift in the dry, whisk until smooth, and fold in those grated carrots and walnuts. And for another simple bake, be sure to check out our recipe for Chewy Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies!
The cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch. This version uses heavy cream instead of butter, resulting in a lighter, fluffier texture that isn’t overly sweet. It perfectly complements the spiced carrot cake, creating a balanced and irresistible dessert. If you prefer an even lighter dessert, try our Creamy Raspberry Mousse.
Best of all, this gluten-free carrot cake tastes just as good as (or even better than!) the traditional version. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy, gluten-free or not!
Easy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipe
Get ready to bake the most amazing gluten-free carrot cake ever! This cake is incredibly moist, wonderfully soft, and bursting with flavor. The best part? It’s so easy to make, practically a one-bowl wonder. And, of course, it’s topped with a luscious, light cream cheese frosting.
Instructions
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake: Step-by-Step
- Prepare: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat your oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line a 9-inch (23cm) square baking tin with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some overhang for easy removal of the cake later.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. The mixture should be smooth.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift in the gluten-free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Sifting helps prevent clumps for a smoother batter. Gluten-Free Tip: If your gluten-free flour blend already contains xanthan gum, you can omit the additional xanthan gum in this step.
- Mix the Batter: Whisk everything together until you have a smooth batter with no flour clumps.
- Add Carrots and Walnuts: Add the coarsely grated carrots and roughly chopped walnuts to the batter. Fold them in gently until they are evenly distributed.
- Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking tin and smooth the top. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until the cake is well-risen, golden brown on top, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the cake starts to brown too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the baking tin for 10-15 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This is crucial for the frosting to adhere properly.
Light & Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting: Step-by-Step
This cream cheese frosting uses heavy cream instead of butter for a lighter, less sweet texture. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or even a whisk to prepare this frosting.
- Soften Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, whisk the cold cream cheese until it’s smooth and has a looser texture.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cold heavy cream, sifted powdered sugar, and vanilla to the bowl.
- Whip to Soft Peaks: Whisk until soft peaks form. The frosting should hold its shape when swirled with a spoon. Be careful not to overwhip, as this can make the frosting too stiff.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cake is completely cool, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top, creating decorative swirls with a spatula or spoon.
- Decorate & Serve: Sprinkle extra chopped walnuts on top for decoration. Slice and serve.
Storage Instructions
The gluten-free carrot cake can be stored in a closed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Ingredients
Gluten Free Carrot Cake:
- 225 g (1 cup + 2 tbsp) light brown soft sugar
- 120 g (½ cup + 1 tbsp) sunflower or vegetable oil
- 3 US large/UK medium eggs, room temperature
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- 200 g (1⅔ cups) plain gluten free flour blend (I used Doves Farm Freee plain white gluten free flour that doesn’t have any xanthan gum added. You can also mix your own gluten free flour blend using this recipe. Note that for this homemade blend, 1 cup = 150g, so ideally use a kitchen scale for best results.)
- ¾ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp xanthan gum (Omit if your gluten free flour blend already contains xanthan gum.)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- 225 g (about 2¼ cups) peeled and coarsely grated carrots (about 3-4 medium carrots) (Note that the volume of grated carrots can vary widely based on how tightly you pack them into the measuring cup. For best results, weigh them using a kitchen scale.)
- 90 g (about ¾ cup) walnuts, roughly chopped
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 170 g (¾ cup) cream cheese, cold from the fridge
- 175 g (¾ cup) heavy/double cream, cold from the fridge
- 80 g (⅔ cup) powdered/icing sugar, sifted (You can adjust the amount if you want the frosting to be more or less sweet.)
- ½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
- walnuts, roughly chopped, for decoration
Nutritional Information
This gluten-free carrot cake offers a delightful treat while catering to specific dietary needs. Here’s a breakdown of the nutritional benefits:
- Gluten-Free Flour Blend: Using a gluten-free flour blend ensures that this cake is safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Many gluten-free flour blends are made from a mix of rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch, providing a source of carbohydrates.
- Carrots: Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for vision, immune function, and skin health. They also provide fiber, aiding in digestion.
- Walnuts: Walnuts are a great source of healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health. They also contain antioxidants and can contribute to brain health.
- Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg not only add warmth and flavor but also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Substitutions and Variations:
- Dairy-Free Option: To make this recipe dairy-free, use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative for the frosting and ensure your gluten-free flour blend is also dairy-free.
- Nut-Free Option: Omit the walnuts entirely or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for a nut-free version.
- Refined Sugar-Free Option: Replace the light brown sugar and powdered sugar with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or coconut sugar. Adjust the quantity to taste, keeping in mind that these sweeteners may affect the texture.
- Vegan Option: Use a flax egg (1 tablespoon of flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tablespoons of water, let sit for 5 minutes) to replace each egg. Ensure your cream cheese is replaced with a vegan alternative.
Tips for the Perfect Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Achieving the perfect gluten-free carrot cake requires a few key considerations:
- Choosing the Right Gluten-Free Flour: A high-quality gluten-free flour blend is crucial. Ensure it contains a mix of flours and starches for the best texture. If your blend doesn’t contain xanthan gum, be sure to add it separately for structure.
- Measuring Ingredients Accurately: Gluten-free baking can be sensitive to ingredient ratios. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially for the flour and carrots.
- Grating Carrots: Coarsely grated carrots add the right amount of moisture and texture to the cake. Avoid finely grated carrots, which can make the cake too dense and moist.
- Mixing the Batter: Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the gluten-free flour. Overmixing can result in a tough cake. Mix until just combined.
- Baking Time: Monitor the cake closely while baking. Ovens can vary, so start checking for doneness around 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cooling Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and ensures a clean, even layer.
- Frosting Consistency: When making the cream cheese frosting, ensure the cream cheese and heavy cream are cold. This helps the frosting whip up to a light and fluffy consistency. Be careful not to overwhip, which can cause it to become grainy.
Instructions
Gluten Free Carrot Cake:
- Adjust the oven rack to the middle position, pre-heat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and line a 9-inch (23cm) square baking tin with parchment/baking paper.
- Tip: When lining the baking tin, I recommend leaving some parchment/baking paper overhang, as that will help with removing the cake from the tin later on.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until well combined.
- Sift in the gluten free flour blend, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
- Whisk everything together into a smooth batter with no flour clumps.
- Add the coarsely grated carrots and roughly chopped walnuts, and fold them into the batter until they’re evenly distributed throughout.
- Transfer the batter into the lined baking tin and smooth out the top.
- Bake at 350ºF (180ºC) for about 35 minutes or until well risen, golden-brown on top and an inserted toothpick/cake tester comes out clean. If the cake starts browning too quickly, cover it with a sheet of aluminium foil (shiny side up) and continue baking until done.
- Allow the cake to cool in the baking tin for about 10-15 minutes, then transfer it out of the tin onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Tip: It’s important that your cake is cooled completely before you spread the cream cheese frosting on top.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- You can make the cream cheese frosting with a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, with a hand mixer fitted with the double beaters, or by hand using a large balloon whisk.
- In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer, if using), whisk the cream cheese until it’s smooth and looser in texture.
- Add the heavy/double cream, powdered/icing sugar and vanilla, and whisk until soft peaks form. The frosting should keep its shape when you swirl it around with a spoon or a rubber spatula – you don’t want it too loose or runny, but be careful not to over-whip it as that can make it too stiff and too thick.
- Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of the cooled carrot cake all the way to the edges, using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to add some decorative swirls and swoops.
- Sprinkle on some extra chopped walnuts as decoration, slice and serve.
Storage:
The gluten free carrot cake keeps well in a closed container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Essential Equipment for This Recipe
To prepare this delicious recipe, you’ll need the following kitchen tools:
- Mixing Bowls – A set of sturdy mixing bowls in various sizes is essential for combining wet and dry ingredients.
Find Mixing Bowls on Amazon - Measuring Cups and Spoons – Accurate measurements are key for baking success.
Find Measuring Cups and Spoons on Amazon - Baking Sheets – Needed for baking cookies or other treats.
Find Baking Sheets on Amazon - Whisks – Perfect for whipping cream or blending lighter ingredients.
Find Whisks on Amazon - Spatulas – Ideal for folding ingredients and scraping bowls clean.
Find Spatulas on Amazon - Food Processors – For finely chopping vegetables or other ingredients.
Find Food Processors on Amazon - Saucepans – Necessary for cooking sauces and fillings.
Find Saucepans on Amazon - Chef’s Knives – A sharp knife is crucial for prepping ingredients efficiently.
Find Chef’s Knives on Amazon - Cutting Boards – To protect your counters while chopping.
Find Cutting Boards on Amazon