Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe. Vegan Carrot Cake Quick bread loaf with Cashew Cream Frosting. Moist, spiced with Cinnamon and Cardamom, full of carrots. Low oil. Soyfree Palmoil-free. Pin this Recipe Jump to Recipe
This week is amazingly busy. I was planning up the posts last week and realized that both Holi and Easter are this week. Carrots and Mangoes were my choice to appear on the blog this week. So lets get started with this super moist Carrot Cake.
This carrot cake is loaded with shredded carrots and pureed carrots. All that carrot with the spices like cinnamon and cardamom (because Cardamom!), some ginger, and a creamy cream cheese style cashew vanilla frosting make this an irresistible loaf. The loaf is a carrot cake quick bread with mild sweetness. Add spices of choice, some nuts and dried fruit, bake, then frost with an easy cashew cream vanilla frosting. This is an incredibly moist carrot cake. It tastes even better after chilling as the spices infuse the loaf. The frosting is cashews plus little sweetener, lemon and vanilla! I use my mini food processor to shred the carrots. That reduces elbow grease and time needed. Bake this loaf and tag me on Instagram. For a Gluten and Grain free version, try this. What are your plans for Easter?
Other Easter Recipes from the blog
- Carrot Cake Pancakes
- Carrot Cake Ice Cream with candied walnuts and roasted carrots
- Carrot Veggie Pilaf with shredded carrots.
- GF Carrot Cake – Gluten-free.
- Or use the 1.5 to 2 cups of dry ingredients from my gf pumpkin loaf to make this loaf gluten-free. Add 1/2 cup oats and 1 tbsp chia seeds as well to help hold the bread.
Mix the dry ingredients. Soak the shredded carrots in maple. Mix in the pureed carrots + apples. Mix in the dry to make a thick stiff batter. Drop into parchment lined pan and even it out.
Bake until toothpick from the center comes out almost clean.
Cool completely. Slice and serve or frost, slice and serve. Frosting Inspired by Wallflower Girl’s Cashew coconut flour frosting.
Video!
Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Wet:
- 2 cups (256 g) loosely packed grated or shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup (0.02 ml) maple syrup
- 2/3 cup (133.33 g) sugar i use a mix of regular and brown sugar. Add 2 tbsp more for sweeter
- 1/4 cup (56 ml) oil
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp flax seed meal
- 1/2 (0.5 ) of a small apple or 1/4 cup chopped apple or use 1/4 cup apple sauce
- 1/3-1/2 cup (42.67 g) chopped carrots
- 1/2 inch (0.5 inch) fresh ginger optional
- 1/2 cup (122 ml) water or non dairy milk or use orange juice
Dry:
- 2 cups (250 g) flour I use 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup unbleached white
- 2 1/2 tsp (2.5 tsp) baking powder
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) or more cardamom
- 1/2 tsp (0.5 tsp) ground ginger
- 1/3 tsp (0.33 tsp) salt
- 1/3 cup (39 g) chopped walnuts
- 1/3 cup (48 g) currants or raisins
Cashew Vanilla Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (65.79 g) cashews soaked for 1 hour or overnight
- 3-4 tbsp (3 tbsp) water
- 1/8-1/4 tsp (0.13 tsp) salt
- 2 tsp or more lemon juice
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) vanilla extract
- 1-2 tsp (1 tsp) coconut flour
Instructions
- Prepare your pan for baking by lining with parchment or greasing and dusting with flour. Preheat the oven to 365 degrees F / 180ºc.
- Grate or shred the carrots and transfer to a bowl. Add the maple, sugar, oil, lemon, vanilla and mix well. Let sit for 2 mins.
- Meanwhile Blend the flax, apples, chopped carrots, ginger with water until pureed. Add to the carrot bowl and mix well.
- In another bowl, whisk the dry ingredients until well combined. Transfer to the wet and mix until there are no dry flour streaks. Fold in the nuts and currants. The mixture should be a stiff-ish batter. If the batter is too wet/moist (depends on the carrots), add 1 to 2 tbsp more flour and mix in.
- Drop the thick batter into prepared loaf pan. Even it out on the top.
- Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until the toothpick from the center comes out almost clean. Cool for 15 mins and remove from the pan. Cool for atleast another 10 minutes before slicing.
- Frosting: Blend the soaked cashews with water, salt, lemon, sugar and vanilla. Blend until smooth. (I use a nutri bullet small blender).Taste and adjust lemon, sweet and salt and blend. Add a 1/4 tsp white vinegar for stronger sour flavor. Add some cinnamon for a cinnamony frosting. If the mixture is runny, add 1 tsp coconut flour and blend it. Add more coconut flour if needed to get the desired consistency. Spread the frosting over the cake.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Josie says
November 14, 2018 at 10:32 amFantastic! Had to make a couple of changes due to what I have in. Homemade Date Syrup for Maple syrup, Rapdura for the sugar, Apple and Mango juice for the orange juice…omitted the raisins because I don’t like them … realised half way through making it that I was out of Walnuts (sad times) so none of those either, but I carried on, and it still turned out amazing! I feel that is a sign of a great recipe. Thank you for sharing …Next time I will make sure I have Walnuts!
Richa says
November 14, 2018 at 11:03 amAwesome that it turned out!
Margo Rogat says
April 24, 2019 at 1:22 pmwhat is rapdura? i don’t eat any sugar.. or i should say processed like cane sugar or any of its counterparts. Maple syrup is fine. Thank you!
Richa says
April 24, 2019 at 1:38 pmits unrefined sugar. If you can find powdered form, use that. I use unrefined raw sugar in the recipe. Granulated kind. I put it through a blender to make somewhat powder to use.
Kei says
November 21, 2018 at 1:50 pmWould you suggest lowering the bake time if baking in a 9×2 round pan?
Richa says
November 21, 2018 at 4:30 pmyes checkat 35 mins
Sylwia says
December 27, 2018 at 10:20 pmRicha, I made this cake for Christmas and it was amazing! I doubled the recipe as I was using a big round pan and I wanted the cake to be low fat so I only used half of the oil and added some more soy milk. I can honestly say it’s one of the best, if not the best, carrot cake I ever had and another of your recipes that come out just amazing and so delicious! Thank you very much, Richa 🙂
P.S. In 2 days time it’s my birthday so I’m making the cake again. You think I can try making it without oil at all and just substitute it with milk? 🙂
Roberta Wall says
January 8, 2019 at 4:11 amCan spelt flour be used in place of the flour?
Richa says
January 8, 2019 at 11:05 amyes. you will need a few tbsp less flour. Start with a cup and add a few tbsp at a time until you get a stiff batter
Louis says
February 27, 2019 at 1:32 pmFor the frosting – what sub could I use in place of the coconut flour? My daughter has an intolerance and carrott cake is her favourite and you just HAVE to have frosting on carrott cake.
Richa says
February 27, 2019 at 2:43 pmadd a few tbsp more cashews for thicker cream and if its still thin, then add a tsp or so regular flour or cornstarch
Louise says
February 27, 2019 at 3:14 pmThank you so much
Julie says
February 28, 2019 at 12:33 pmCould I substitute the sugar for sweetner
Richa says
February 28, 2019 at 5:58 pmwhat kind of sweetener
Angela says
March 3, 2019 at 5:18 amI am interested in making this, but want to substitute the sugar & flour. Any suggestions !
Richa says
March 3, 2019 at 10:58 amtry this with very ripe bananas, chopped dates and omit sugar https://www.veganricha.com/2018/01/gluten-free-banana-bread-flourless-carrot-banana-bread.html
Rachael says
March 17, 2020 at 8:36 pmLooks amazing! Is there a way to make this without oil?
Richa says
March 18, 2020 at 3:20 pmyes just omit it
Carolina F says
March 9, 2019 at 3:37 pmDon’t have flax flour (ran out). I’m vegetarian not vegan so not sure if to replace with 2 eggs?
Richa says
March 9, 2019 at 4:53 pmomit it. should work just fine without the flax
Carolina says
March 11, 2019 at 6:30 pmIs nutrition facts for 1 slice or loaf (ie 540 calories)?
Richa says
March 11, 2019 at 9:53 pm2 slices. you get 12 or more slices.
Carolina says
March 11, 2019 at 11:20 pmThx! So delicious. I’ve now made it a half dozen times.
juls says
June 7, 2019 at 9:30 amHi tomorrowbis my bday and i want to make this cake.can i use oat flour instead of wheat.
Richa says
June 7, 2019 at 3:40 pmoat flour instead of all of the flour will not work. Combination of Oat flour and all purpose flour will work
carrie says
October 2, 2019 at 2:55 pmThis looks amazing, thank you. Do I use the regular shredder for the carrots, or the extra fine one?
Richa says
October 2, 2019 at 4:33 pmregular
Priyal says
October 24, 2019 at 5:39 amThis is delicious! First time I’ve ever made carrot cake. I love that it is oil free. I omitted the raisins as I’m not a fan but basically kept the rest the same.
Priyal says
October 24, 2019 at 5:40 amTurns out I forgot the oil but it was delicious all the same!!
Richa says
October 24, 2019 at 11:41 amawesome!
Lea says
April 10, 2020 at 12:04 pmLooks wonderful !
Just curious about flax seed meal, i cannot find it anywhere and i notice it in several of your recipes. What role does it play and what could i use as its replacement ?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 12:40 pmFlax seed meal works as a binder in the recipe – sub for egg. You can buy whole flax seeds and grind them in a blender or coffee grinder, same thing as flax seed meal only fresher!
Vegan Richa Support says
April 24, 2020 at 12:43 pmIt’s used as an egg replacement in batters and baking and chia seeds could be used in some recipes but it depends on the application.
Lukas says
March 1, 2020 at 2:03 amI have a question concerning the oven setting. When you say 350 F (180 C), which oven setting are you using? circulating heat or below and above heat?
Kind Regards,
Lukas.
Richa says
March 2, 2020 at 7:04 pmRegular heat and middle rack.
Abril says
March 31, 2020 at 2:01 pmThis is brilliant. All of your recipes are great, for real. Thank you
Do you think i could freeze it once baked? Cheers
Richa says
March 31, 2020 at 2:13 pmyes, slice and freeze
Vivina says
April 14, 2020 at 4:31 amThis is so delightfully delicious. I made this yesterday and it was loved by everyone. Thank you!!
Rose Wallace says
May 20, 2020 at 4:44 pmI love this recipe. Made it for myself and friends.
Vegan Richa Support says
May 21, 2020 at 2:50 pmSo glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for sharing!
Cynthia says
May 25, 2020 at 6:20 pmThis is the first thing I’ve baked since becoming vegan. It tasted INCREDIBLE!! Thank you so much!
Vegan Richa Support says
May 26, 2020 at 1:39 pmWow!! That’s great =). so glad to hear
Linda McDonald says
July 30, 2020 at 5:51 amThanks – lovely recipe.
Can you clarify the amount of maple syrup as 1/4 cup doesn’t match with 0.02 ml.
Vegan Richa Support says
July 30, 2020 at 9:07 amAh ha, thanks for pointing that out! It should be 59mls. Thank you! 🙂
Karen says
October 1, 2020 at 9:16 pmAmazing! I omitted the oil and added more apple instead. It’s delicious!!
Ria says
December 12, 2020 at 11:57 amDear Richa I just love your recipes
I need an advise besides cashew topping on carrot cake what else topping or icing can I use as cashews are very expensive and I don’t want to use cream
Love and Light
Ria ❣️
Richa says
December 12, 2020 at 12:03 pmYou can use my cream cheese frosting see my lemon cake post for that recipe. Or you can make simple sugar icing. Half a cup of powdered sugar with a few teaspoons of nondairy milk and a few drops of vanilla.
Jessica says
December 31, 2020 at 10:39 pmMade this recipe to the t and it make out so good! I’ll definitely be making it again. I LOVE that I got a cream cheese effect from whole ingredients instead of relying on a pre-made dairy sub. Question about how to keep it! Can it stay out for a few days or should I refrigerate? Thank u!
Vegan Richa Support says
January 1, 2021 at 7:03 pmthank you! you could keep it out for 1 day then fridge after that
Jessicanoel says
January 7, 2021 at 7:47 pmI fiddled with this a bit and it still turned out phenomenal. I replaced about 2/3 c flour with wheat flour, 1/3 c flour with bran, and the apple puree with pear puree. My partner loves quick breads and he hasn’t stopped talking about this one. Many thanks for always coming through with amazing recipes, Richa!
Rebeca says
April 8, 2021 at 8:48 amI love your blog, and I use a lot of recipes, but I wanted to ask you for print, can you find the way it fits on a sheet so that there is not so much waste of paper?
Vegan Richa Support says
April 8, 2021 at 9:23 pmthank you please click here for amazing options! https://www.veganricha.com/mybooks/
Marina Sanxchez says
April 9, 2021 at 3:46 pmI have one question, how can I avoid adding the oil?
Thanks
Li says
April 11, 2021 at 8:31 pmDelicious, moist and so flavorful! Recipe worked perfectly.
Vegan Richa Support says
April 13, 2021 at 10:30 pmexcellent
rsp says
April 15, 2021 at 11:41 amI’m confused. First you call for 2 cups of loosely packed shredded or grated carrots .(and THANK YOU for providing this in weight measurements!) Then your first step says grate or shred the carrots. Do you mean grate or shred them a second time? Second, “shredding” or “grating” are very imprecise terms. I have a box grater that produces 4 different results. if it doesn’t matter, perhaps you could add that guidance. if it does matter, then perhaps a more precise direction? Then later you call for 1/3-1/2 cup of chopped carrots. Why is there a separate carrot ingredient? “Chopped” can range from coarse, hard pieces to almost a puree texture in the food processor. Does it matter? I hope this doesn’t sound too persnickety, but I learned a while ago (King Arthur Flour Baking) that long carrot shreds vs. very finely chopped carrots produce very different cake results.
Richa says
April 15, 2021 at 6:22 pmUse medium shred or large. Too small will leak too much moisture. The chopped carrots are blended in the wet for additional flavor
rsp says
April 15, 2021 at 9:20 pmVery helpful. Thanks.