If you like Vegan Carrot Cake, you're going to love this! Can you say moist? Forkable? Is that even a word? Creamy? Trust me! There aren't enough adjectives in the world to describe this Cake.
I am in love with Vegan Carrot Cake. And vegan cream cheese frosting? Forget about the cake I'll just eat all the frosting right out of the mixing bowl. Speaking of Vegan Carrot Cake, there's a little cafe in Joshua Tree near where I live that sells it and it's pretty much the bomb. I never thought I could make a vegan carrot cake that could stand up to it. But guys, I just proved myself so wrong.
Although I made this cake on a whim, just because I had all the ingredients I needed, it turned out so good, we ate the whole thing in one day. That's just two of us guys! Can you believe it?
This cake is:
- Moist
- Flavorful
- Creamy
- Comforting
- Naturally sweet
- Filling
- Nutty
And so delicious, you'll be sorry if you don't make two.
So far, I've made two versions of this cake. The first one came out great, recipe-wise, but I used walnuts that were old, I guess, which gave it a weird flavor. You'll see the first version in some of the pictures below. The frosting looks creamier because it was at room temperature. The cake with the red background was kept in the refrigerator overnight and the frosting is a little firmer. And, I used fresh walnuts on the second attempt, which made this Vegan Carrot Cake taste a lot better. I also used Grade A maple syrup from Mohawk Valley Trading company which is absolutely the best maple syrup I've ever had.
The second version of the cake, I made for Valentine's Day, as you can tell from the decorations I used. We loved it and ate it all, as I explained above, in one day. But by the next day when I was going I was supposed to post the recipe, I got sick. Then I got better, and now I'm sick again as I'm posting this.
I have a bit of lung damage from being on a ventilator in ICU a few years back, where I aspirated. Unfortunately, some of the alveoli (air sacs) of my lungs have collapsed so when I get sick, it takes forever to get well again. It's back to the doctor for me tomorrow, but now let's get back to this delicious Vegan Carrot Cake.
Ok, so the cake isn't perfect, I know that. I am learning every day how to style food better. But I still think the pictures look pretty and at least my cake is realistic, not like it just popped out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.
I made this Best Ever Vegan Carrot Cake with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting #dairyfree, #glutenfree, #refined sugar free and #vegan. Can it get any better? I don't think so, if I do say so myself.
Best Ever Vegan Carrot Cake with Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting If you make this Vegan Carrot Cake recipe, be sure to take a photo and tag it #veganvigilante1 on Instagram. I’d love to connect with you via social media so please follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter. I appreciate you for taking the time to read about me and my vegan recipes. I’d love to hear what you think so please leave your comments after the post. If you have questions or want to share a recipe of your own as a guest blogger, please email me at [email protected].
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A big thank you to my beautiful 9 year-old granddaughter, who allowed me to snap photos of her eating this delicious Vegan Carrot Cake. If she loved it, that means it's super duper good as she is a very picky eater.
📖 Recipe
The Best Ever Vegan Carrot Cake (Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 3 flax eggs (3 tablespoon flax meal + 6 tablespoon water )
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup Grade A
- 6 oz organic unsweetened apple sauce
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup sugar in the raw
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 1.5 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon roasted cinammon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk
- 1.5 cups grated carrots
- 1.5 cups Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour
- 1.5 cups gluten-free flour
- .75 cups chopped raw walnuts
For the Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting
- ½ cup vegan butter softened; I use Earth Balance
- 8 oz Tofutti Cream Cheese or other vegan cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3-5 cups vegan powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoon unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
For the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius) . Oil and flour two 8-inch baking pans. Shake out excess. Set aside.
- Prepare flax eggs by adding 6 tablespoon water to 3 tablespoon ground flax meal. Place in freezer to firm-up while preparing other ingredients.
- To small bowl, whisk together dry ingredients (Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour, gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, sugar in the raw, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt). Set aside.
- To mixing bowl, add melted coconut oil and maple syrup. Mix together on low speed until well-combined. Add applesauce and vanilla extract and flax eggs. Mix well.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mix well. Slowly pour in almond milk and continue to mix.
- Fold in grated carrots and walnut and mix just until combined. DO NOT OVER MIX. The mixture should be thick, but pour-able.
- Pour mixture into cake pans evenly. Drop each pan lightly on counter top to remove bubbles. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown and toothpick comes out clean when pierced into center of cake.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes inside the pans. Then, gently run a knife along edges of cake, invert and place gently on cooling racks to cool. NOTE: this cakes needs to cool completely before frosting.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Mix together butter, cream cheese, vanilla, cream of tartar and vanilla until well-blended. Fold in powdered sugar, a little at a time, until your frosting is thick enough. I used all 5 cups in mine but you could probably get away with less. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER-MIX YOUR FROSTING. Stick bowl in fridge to chill until your cake is completely cooled and ready to frost.
Putting it all together
- Place bottom layer on cake plate. Add large dab of frosting to middle of cake and spread evenly with a table knife. Place top layer and frost top first. Then frost sides. Serve immediately with big glasses of almond milk. Enjoy!
Suzanne
Looks amazing! One tdchnical question : does your gluten-free flour contain any additives like guar gum etc?
Vegan Vigilante
i'm so sorry, Suzanne, I missed this. No, the gluten free flour I used did not contain any additives. I believe it was Bob's Red Mill. Thanks for your question and again, I do apologize for my delayed response.
Blog Description
No meal is complete without dessert.
Vegan Vigilante
That's for sure!
Elena
It's hard to believe that this cake is vegan! I love the presentation, it looks gorgeous! Will give it a try for Easter!
Vegan Vigilante
Elena, I was surprised too! Thanks for your comment and let us know how it turns out if you try it for Easter!
Vegan Vigilante
Thanks so much Elena, I would have never guessed that vegan carrot cakes taste so good until I actually made one.
Amanda
The crumb on this carrot cake is perfect! I would never have guessed that the creamy, pillowy cream cheese frosting is dairy free, either! What a beautiful layer cake that can accommodate everyone at the dessert table. I'll have to check out tofutti cream cheese!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen
Forkable is tooootally a word! Love how gorgeous those layers are, and you can tell from the photos that it's an incredibly moist cake. Looks phenomenal!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
What a beautiful cake and a gorgeous presentation. It looks so rich -- it doesn't look like it lacks flavor. My son was at Joshua Tree and loved it there -- I'd love to go. Back to the carrot cake -- it's one of my favorites and you can't get a better rating than from a grandchild.
Vegan Vigilante
Thanks so much Marisa. If you ever go to Joshua Tree let me know. I have some tips for you.
Tamara Andersen
I have so much respect for bakers that can pull off delicious vegan baked goods. I really shy away from "regular" baked goods. Your Vegan Carrot Cake looks every bit as amazing as my favorite aunt's famous carrot cake made for my wedding! Hope you're well and healthy as I'm typing!
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you, Tamara, for the nice compliment.
Anne Murphy
Texture looks great! I'm interested in gluten free backing, and am making notes...
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you Anne.
prasanna hede
I had no idea that vegan and sugar-free cake looks so gooood! In love with the recipe.
Vegan Vigilante
Thanks so much Prasanna.
Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen
I can't quite believe that this is vegan, the buttercream looks so creamy and the cake has the perfect texture! Looks amazing, I'll be making this for my vegan friend, she'll be so happy!
Vegan Vigilante
Awesome news Carrie. Let us know how it turns out.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health
the layers in these cake looks ahmazzingggg...i love the idea of vegan frosting too.
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you Dixya, so sweet of you to say.
Patti @Patty Cake's Pantry
Did you say vegan and carrot cake in the same sentence? My hubby's favorite cake is carrot cake. He loves cream cheese frosting, and we are going Vegan for the month of April. He will be so happy to see that he can have carrot cake. I've pinned this recipe, so I can make it for him.
Vegan Vigilante
That's awesome Patty, so glad you and hubby are trying it Vegan for a month and that you're going to make the cake. Be sure to let us know how it turned out.
Jen
I've never met a carrot cake I didn't love, and yours looks like no exception. Also, don't sell yourself short on the food styling in your photos. Your cake looks gorgeous!
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you Jen, for the compliment about the food styling. I really appreciate it.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish
This cake looks so scrumptious. It's hard for me to believe it's vegan. That is so wonderful! I love eating vegetarian and vegan when I can and I am looking forward to trying your delicious recipe!! It certainly has everything you would want in a delicious cake!! Great recipe!
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you Elaine, so glad you enjoy vegan foods when you can and that you love the recipe.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
For some reason I am the ONLY person that likes carrot cake in this family. I don't know what is wrong with them. This cake sounds delicious..and I am always looking for some gluten free recipes to add to my collection. We have friends that are gluten free. They would love this for sure.
Vegan Vigilante
On my it's my absolute favorite! Thanks for the commen Gloria.
Natalie
This carrot cake looks so moist and delicious! Such a great recipe I can make to a vegan friend's birthday that's coming up soon. Looks and sounds amazing!
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you Natalie. I have you make it and your friend loves it! Thanks for your comment!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch
I love carrot cake and this looks so delicious! You couldn't tell it was vegan just looking at it. This would be so perfect for Easter, too, can't wait to try it!
Vegan Vigilante
Ohhh I should have made an Easter theme! But I actually made this for Valentine's Day but have been to sick to post it. Thanks for your comment.
sue | theviewfromgreatisland
I just can't get over the fact that a vegan carrot cake is even possible, much less fabulous, as this cake obviously is!! I've got to try flax eggs 🙂
Vegan Vigilante
Thank you so. Just remember it all depends on the baker!
Allison - Celebrating Sweets
I absolutely love layer cakes, and this one is SO beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Vegan Vigilante
Your welcome Allison. Thanks for your comment.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
This looks SO good. I love a carrot cake and that frosting looks incredible
Vegan Vigilante
Thanks so much Bintu. The frosting is divine!