Easy Gluten-free Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 2 ½ call-purpose gluten-free flour
- ¾ tspxanthan gum
*see note
- 1 ¼ tspbaking powder
- 1 tspbaking soda
- 2 tspground cinnamon
- ¼ tspground nutmeg
- ⅛ tspground cloves
- ¼ tspground allspice
- ½ tspsalt
- 1 ¼ csugar
- ¾ cbrown sugar
- 4 largeeggs
- ⅓ cunsweetened applesauce
- ⅝ ccanola or vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
- ½ cunsalted butter
- 3 ccarrots
from about 1 lb. carrots
- 8 ozcream cheese
- 5 tbspbutter
- 2 ½ cpowdered sugar
- 2 tbspheavy cream or half and half
- 2 tsppure vanilla extract
Directions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. I used a glass Pyrex pan.
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, xanthan gum, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, and salt. Set aside.
- 3
In the bowl of your standing mixer, beat sugar, brown sugar and eggs on medium-high speed until thoroughly combined, about 45 seconds.
- 4
Reduce speed to low, and slowly add the applesauce, oil, and melted butter. Mix on high for one minute, or until mixture is well mixed and light in color.
- 5
Turn off mixer and stir in by hand the carrots and dry ingredients until no loose flour remains.
- 6
Pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. (Mine took 37 minutes.)
- 7
Let cake cool, in pan, on a wire rack.
- 8
In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and butter for 3 minutes, or until soft, creamy and combined thoroughly.
- 9
Add 2 cups of powdered sugar and beat until well mixed.
- 10
Add the heavy cream or half and half, and pure vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- 11
Add an additional 1/2 to 1 cup of powdered sugar until frosting reaches desired thickness and taste.
- 12
Use a spatula or icing knife to spread frosting evenly over cooled cake. Slice into 15 large slices, or you can cut smaller slices if you prefer.
Easy Gluten-free Carrot Cake
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Dreaming of a classic, moist carrot cake that's also wonderfully gluten-free? This easy recipe delivers an incredibly flavorful cake, perfect for any occasion, especially as a special gluten-free Easter dessert. You'll love how simple it is to create a beloved treat that everyone can enjoy.
Crafting a truly moist gluten-free carrot cake can be a challenge, but this recipe skillfully blends all-purpose gluten-free flour with xanthan gum to ensure a tender, never crumbly, crumb. The addition of unsweetened applesauce, along with a combination of oil and butter, guarantees a rich, flavorful cake that stays wonderfully moist from the inside out. This thoughtful approach sets it apart from many dry, gluten-free alternatives.
Prepare for a delightful sensory experience: a cake that is exceptionally moist and tender, bursting with warm spice notes from cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Each bite offers the sweet earthiness of fresh, finely shredded carrots, perfectly complemented by a rich, tangy cream cheese frosting. This is a classic comfort dessert, elevated to be completely gluten-free without sacrificing an ounce of flavor or texture. It's a truly satisfying bake that promises a delicious outcome.
This simple gluten-free carrot cake is wonderfully versatile. Feel free to stir in your favorite mix-ins like a half-cup of raisins, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) into the batter before baking. These additions offer delightful textural contrast and extra flavor dimensions to this classic treat. For the fats, you have flexibility; use canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil, and feel free to swap the melted butter with additional oil if preferred.
This flavorful gluten-free carrot cake, with its rich cream cheese frosting, is truly perfect for any celebration, making it an ideal gluten-free Easter dessert or a standout centerpiece for birthdays and gatherings. Serve it alongside a cup of coffee or tea for a delightful end to any meal.