Carrot Cake (Vegan, Gluten Free)

cream cheese

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: ricotta

Greek yogurt offers a tangy flavor with fewer calories.

walnuts

🥗Healthier: pecans

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pecans provide a similar texture and flavor, while sunflower seeds are nut-free.

granulated sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Coconut sugar is less processed, while brown sugar is often cheaper.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: applesauce

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Applesauce reduces fat while adding moisture.

Peel, seed, and coarsely chop one medium apple and place it in a food processor with one cup of agave.

Process the apple and agave mixture until smooth and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix 2 tablespoons of psyllium husk with 2 cups of water and let it sit for a few minutes to thicken.

Add the apple agave mixture and 1/2 cup of oil to the psyllium husk mixture and mix well.

In another bowl, combine 2 cups of brown rice flour, 1 cup of arrowroot starch, 2 1/2 tablespoons of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum, then mix together.

Beat the dry ingredients by hand for a minute.

Grate 6 large carrots and mix them into the batter.

Optionally, add 1/2 cup of raisins and 1 cup of chopped walnuts to the batter and mix until well combined.

Divide the batter evenly between two 9-inch springform pans that have been sprayed with oil and lightly floured with brown rice flour.

If available, wrap baking strips around the pans to prevent doming.

Bake at 350°F for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting by whipping 2 8 oz tubs of vegan cream cheese in a stand mixer until creamy.

Add chilled coconut milk (thick cream from the top) to the cream cheese and whip until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Mix in 1 cup of powdered sugar and continue whipping until creamy and thick; optionally add lemon juice to taste.

Once the cake is cooled, place the bottom layer on a serving plate and generously spoon frosting on top, spreading it evenly.

Invert the second layer upside down on top of the frosted bottom layer and frost the sides and top with the remaining frosting until smooth.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens