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Easy Vegan Gluten Free Carrot Cake That Tastes Just Like Classic Carrot Cake ⭐ - Simple, Moist, and Crowd-Pleasing

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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Dry Ingredients: 1 3/4 cups gluten free all-purpose flour (with xanthan gum)
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup organic cane sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger (optional but nice)
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil (avocado, sunflower, or light olive)
  • 1/4 cup dairy-free milk (almond, oat, or soy)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • Add-Ins: 2 cups finely grated carrots (about 3–4 medium, packed but not watery)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
  • Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting: 8 ounces vegan cream cheese, cold
  • 1/2 cup vegan butter, slightly softened
  • 2 1/2–3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan or two 8-inch round pans with parchment and lightly grease.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices until no lumps remain.
  3. In a separate bowl or measuring jug, combine applesauce, oil, dairy-free milk, vanilla, and vinegar.
  4. Pour wet into dry and mix with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the grated carrots and any optional add-ins. The batter will be thick—this is right.
  6. Spread batter into the prepared pan(s). Smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 30–36 minutes (round layers may finish closer to 28–32). A toothpick should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  9. Make the frosting: Beat vegan butter until creamy. Add vegan cream cheese and beat just until smooth. Mix in vanilla and salt, then gradually add powdered sugar to reach a spreadable consistency.
  10. Frost the cooled cake. For layered cakes, add frosting between layers and on top. Garnish with chopped nuts if you like.