This easy vegan carrot cake is the perfect vegan spring dessert recipe. Perfectly soft and full of flavor, everything is made in one bowl!
If you think of desserts around spring time or Easter, then this vegan carrot cake should be at the top of your mind.
For many people, carrot cake is one of the first introductions to realizing that you could mix a cake recipe with a vegetable and actually have a delicious creation come out of that.
Luckily, carrots are sweet so it aids in helping balance a sweet cake with something you may not traditionally think should be in a cake.
Today, we’re making the same carrot cake that you fell in love with years ago, but turning it into a vegan carrot cake.
That means there will be no eggs or dairy. A completely egg free and dairy free carrot cake. But no worries, no one will even notice.
In fact, they may even say it tastes better.
In addition, we’ll share details below on how you can make this Top 8 Free carrot cake as well if that is needed for your dietary restrictions!
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What ingredients do you need to make vegan carrot cake?
We love making really simple recipes and while we may have more than 10 ingredients in this one, everything is easily accessible at your local grocery store and you’ll be able to whip up this delicious vegan carrot cake in no time. In just one bowl!
The ingredients that you need for this dairy free carrot cake is:
- carrots
- flour
- salt
- baking powder
- baking soda
- cinnamon
- nutmeg
- coconut oil
- brown sugar
- maple syrup
- vanilla
- applesauce
- pecans or walnuts
This vegan carrot cake recipe will be ready in no time and you will be the star of any spring function that you take them too.
How do you make vegan carrot cake?
Even though there are slightly more than a dozen ingredients in this vegan carrot cake, the recipe comes together really fast and it’s all done in one bowl. If you are like me, you love one bowl recipes because that means less dishes.
The first step is preheating the oven to 350 degrees. Then, add the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar together in a large bowl. I like to use a whisk to do this.
Next, add in melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and shredded carrots. Combine together with a silicone spatula. This will be a super thick dough. That is normal.
Add in applesauce and nuts and stir until just combined. Don’t over mix this recipe.
This vegan carrot cake will be a thicker batter consistency and not very runny. Place in 2 greased 9″ round cake pans. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let cool and top with frosting of choice.
Do I have to use round cake pans?
No! You can easily use square or rectangular cake pan as well. Alternatively you can make them into dairy free carrot cake cupcakes.
Can I make this a vegan Top 8 Allergy Friendly carrot cake?
We know that sometimes dairy allergies go hand in hand with other allergies. When we are considering Top 8 Allergies for these vegan carrot cake cupcakes, we want to consider the flour, coconut oil, and nuts.
The easiest swap is the nuts. Just completely omit this if you have a nut allergy. They aren’t necessary to the overall recipe. For the coconut oil, you can swap that for another light oil, like grapeseed. Make sure it’s nothing overly strong with taste like olive oil. Lastly, the flour can be replaced with a gluten free cup for cup flour like King Arthur.
What are other dairy free desserts recipes that I can make?
Whether you are having a dessert bar of deliciousness at your next get together, or you just want to have even more amazing dairy free desserts at the ready, we recommend you trying out some of these delicious non-dairy desserts (all are vegan):
- Dairy Free Brownies
- The Best Dairy Free Lemon Pound Cake
- Triple Chocolate Dairy Free Cookies
- Dairy Free Chocolate Cake
- Perfect Dairy Free Apple Pie
- Dairy Free Cinnamon Rolls (could be breakfast or dessert)
Pin this vegan carrot cake for later!
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Vegan Carrot Cake
Ingredients
For the Vegan Carrot Cake
- 4 cups flour (*See Posts for GF notes)
- 2 1/2 cups brown sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup coconut oil, melted (*See notes in post for allergies)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 4 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans) (*Omit for nut allergy), Plus more for topping, optional
For Coconut Cream Frosting
- 1 cup chilled, full fat coconut cream (chilled and scooped off top)
- 1 cup vegan shortening
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 6 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Vegan Carrot Cake
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease 2- 9inch round cake pans with coconut oil (or other oil if allergies).
- In a large bowl, add flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar and whisk together.
- Add in melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla and carrots. Combine with a silicone spatula.
- Add in unsweetened applesauce and nuts. Mix until just combined. Don’t over mix!
- Pour half the batter in each cake pan.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool to touch and then use frosting of choice to decorate.
For the Coconut Cream Frosting
- To make this frosting, add the coconut cream, and shortening to a bowl and beat until creamy. Add in the vanilla extract and beat again. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until mixed. Refrigerate if not using right away. *This frosting is best used the same day. So you can prep the ingredients and make the cupcakes ahead of time, but don’t frosting until close to serving time.
- Top with more chopped nuts if desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Can I use Quinoa flour instead?
We’ve never tried using it for this recipe. Generally you will need to reduce cook time while increasing moisture and binding if replacing all of the regular flour for something like quinoa flour.
Does this need to be stored in the refrigerator? The leftovers.
We don’t usually, but you can.