How to Make the Perfect Vegan Carrot Cake
American · Medium · 120 min · 12 servings
This moist and warmly spiced vegan carrot cake is layered with fluffy dairy-free cream cheese frosting and packed with freshly grated carrots. It is a stunning vegan celebration cake that nobody will believe is completely plant-based.
Why this recipe works
This Vegan Carrot Cake recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 120 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 385 calories with 5g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 0.75 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup vegan cream cheese for frosting
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prep and Preheat
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. Make flax eggs by combining ground flaxseed with water and let sit for 5 minutes until gel forms.
Step 2: Mix Cake Batter
Whisk together flour, coconut sugar, cinnamon, and baking soda. Add melted coconut oil and flax eggs and stir to combine. Fold in grated carrots until the batter is evenly mixed.
Step 3: Bake the Cakes
Divide batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 4: Cool and Frost
Allow cakes to cool completely in pans for 20 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, frost with vegan cream cheese frosting and stack the layers.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- coconut oil → neutral vegetable oil such as avocado or sunflower oil
- vegan cream cheese frosting → coconut whipped cream for a lighter topping
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Frosting the cake while it is still warm which causes the frosting to melt and slide off
- Over-mixing the batter after adding flour which creates a dense and tough cake texture
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 385 calories, 5g protein, 52g carbs, 18g fat, 3g fiber.
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