My husband’s birthday was coming up and I asked him what kind of cake he wanted. Last year I made my chocolate cupcakes, but I wanted to make something new this year! His request… carrot cake! So I took the cream cheese frosting from my blueberry cake and made my first ever carrot cake! I know it’s really hard to believe that as a bunny lover, I’ve never made it before but it’s true! (Eaten it, yes but never baked it myself!)

It was denser than I expected but it turned out great and was very tasty! Vegan, gluten free, naturally sweetened and all healthy ingredients made me feel really good about giving it to the toddler too! She enjoyed helping me make it for him (shredding the carrots in the Cuisinart was especially exciting!)

I hope you enjoy it as much as he (and me… and my toddler!) did. 🙂

xo

Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (Vegan & Gluten Free)

INGREDIENTS:

Cake

• 3½ cups almond flour
• 2 cups carrots, grated
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1½ tsp Himalayan pink salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 3 tbsp chia seeds plus ½ cup + 1 tbsp water, let stand for 5-10 minutes
• 2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water, let stand for 5-10 minutes
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

“Cream Cheese” Frosting

• 1 8oz package vegan cream cheese, room temperature (I used Go Veggie)
• 1 stick (½ cup) vegan butter, room temperature (I used Earth Balance Buttery Spread)
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350F
2. Line two 8″ or 10″ (or three 6″) cake pans with parchment paper then brush with coconut oil
3. Make 2 vegan “eggs” by mixing flax and chia with water and letting it stand a few minutes to thicken
4. Whisk together almond flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda
5. In another bowl, whisk together coconut oil, maple syrup, flax “egg “and chia “egg”
6. Add the carrots (and optionally, walnuts) with the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients
7. Mix well
8. Divide batter into pans, place pans on large baking sheet and bake about 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Frosting

1. Beat the Earth Balance, cream cheese and vanilla until light and fluffy, a few minutes
2. Add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, and beat until fully incorporated
   *Note: The frosting will thicken on cooling

To assemble

1. Place one layer on a cake platter and frost the top
2. Repete with the next layer (or two)
3. Frost the sides, and smooth everything out
4. Optional: top with shredded carrot, chopped walnuts, or other topping
5. Enjoy!

Cake Recipe Adapted from: Sweet Laurel