This Gluten-Free Carrot Cake will become a go-to recipe when you’re in need of a quickly and easily prepared cake which people will love. This is a simple, one-layer cake, perfect for many occasions. Grated carrots are, of course, the star ingredient. As well as providing beautiful colour and natural sweetness, they make this cake deliciously moist and tender.
Why we love this recipe:
This gluten-free cake is gently spiced and has a beautiful texture. It is suitable for many occasions; serve it for morning tea, for dessert, take on a picnic or to a potluck. It is a cake that you will receive many a request for!
You can confidently serve this cake to people who don’t need to avoid gluten. They will never know; we do not sacrifice the flavour and texture to make this cake suitable for people who are unable to eat gluten.
One of the great advantages of this cake is that you can make it a day ahead and it will still be deliciously moist.
As well, the moist textured, gently spiced cake is embellished by a luxurious, rich, cream cheese frosting. It is, of course, optional. If you prefer, you could keep the cake dairy free and give it a light dusting of icing/confectioners’ sugar.
Many carrot cakes contain walnuts. I have chosen to make the cake nut-free, but you could add nuts if you like to add some texture.
Ingredients in this recipe:
Please see the recipe card further along in the post for exact quantities of ingredients and the full method.
Oil – the oil adds moisture to the cake. Use a neutral flavoured oil; I used grapeseed.
Caster/superfine sugar – this sugar dissolves more readily than granulated sugar.
Vanilla extract – use good quality which has been naturally extracted from the vanilla bean and not synthetically produced.
Eggs – I use large free-range eggs.
Grated carrot – adds flavour, colour and moisture to the cake. Be sure to grate your carrots fresh.
Sultanas/golden raisins – these are dried, seedless, white grapes which add another flavour and texture dimension.
Gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour - I have used a commercial gluten-free flour which is made from a blend of naturally occurring gluten-free flours. Our gluten-free flour blends contain either xanthan or guar gum to stabilise and provide structure to our recipes.
Gluten-free baking powder – always check labels to ensure ingredients are gluten-free.
Ground cinnamon – adds gentle spice which complements the creamy frosting.
Cream cheese – I use full fat cream cheese which is readily available in supermarkets.
Icing/confectioners’ sugar – I use pure icing/confectioners’ sugar, sometimes known as powdered sugar. If you use a blend, ensure that it is gluten-free.
Step by step instructions:
To begin, grease the sides and line the base of a 21cm/8 ¼ inch ring tin or 19 cm/7 ½ inch springform tin. Then, preheat your oven to 180 degrees C/355 F.
Be sure to have all your ingredients prepared before you start making the Gluten-Free Carrot Cake.
- Place oil, sugar and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or into a bowl to use hand-held electric beaters. Beat until they are well combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, and continue to beat until light and creamy, about 2 minutes. The eggs will emulsify with the oil.
- Stir through the grated carrot and sultanas.
- Gradually sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon over the bowl and fold in gently using a spatula to avoid knocking out the air.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared tin. Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. After standing about 10 minutes, turn the cake onto a rack. Remove the baking paper and leave to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, place cream cheese and vanilla in a small bowl and mix well together until smooth.
- Sift the icing sugar to remove any lumps, add to the cream cheese and mix until it forms a smooth, creamy frosting.
- Spread onto the top of the cake and decorate with chopped walnuts if using.
Tips for success and FAQs:
Without gluten, your cake does not have the strength of regular wheat-based flour. This can cause some cakes to sink in the middle - but, I have several tips to avoid this happening.
First, if you have a ring tin, use that - the cake will cook evenly as there is no centre to sink. Cakes sometimes sink as too much air has been incorporated. Be sure to not overbeat the mixture. And, always fold in the flour gently. Always put the cake in the oven as soon as the mixture is ready, and be sure to not open the door before the cake mixture has set.
One of the most common reasons that cakes sink in the middle is that the cake has not cooked long enough. Be sure to check it carefully.
If you have used a springform tin and the cake has sunk slightly in the middle, turn it upside down. This way, you will have a flat base on which to apply your cream cheese frosting.
Yes, you certainly can. This is a very moist cake which lends itself to being made a day ahead. As well, you can make the frosting a day in advance and store it in the fridge until ready to use. You will need to return it to room temperature so that it is spreadable. If it is difficult to spread, dip your knife into a glass of hot water to help spread the frosting.
If you have made your cake a day ahead and it is not frosted, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. If the weather is hot or humid, store it well covered in the refrigerator. Once you have added the frosting, store it in an airtight container or well covered with cling wrap in the fridge for up to 5 days.
For the best flavour, I like to use a regular block of full-fat cream cheese, not the spreadable kind. You must wait to frost the cake until it is cold. If you try to add the cream cheese mixture while the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and slide off.
There are some ingredients, such as the grated carrots in this recipe, which add moisture. Other ingredients which add moisture to gluten-free cakes are apple sauce or pumpkin puree. Sour cream, brown sugar, honey and buttermilk also help retain moisture. As well, you need to measure your ingredients accurately which is why we show weight amounts as well as volume. Using a scale is more accurate. Further, it is important to not over-bake. Your cake is cooked when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
More delicious recipes for you to try:
Our gluten-free cakes all have one thing in common - you would never know they were gluten-free! Here are some more of our favourite recipes for you to try:
- Easy Blueberry Cake
- Chocolate and Sour Cream Cake
- Almond Cake
- Belgian Lemon Tea Cake
- Vegan Chocolate Cake
- Four Ingredient Fruit Cake
- Pear and Raspberry Cake
- Banana Cake
This is a no-fuss recipe, so quickly and easily made. It is ideal for the family but sufficiently delicious to serve to guests. It is ideal for morning or afternoon tea and the cream cheese frosting makes it ideal to serve as a dessert.
I hope you will give our Gluten-Free Carrot Cake a try. I look forward to hearing your thoughts!
Alex xx
This post was originally published in February 2019. It has been updated with new photos and more information. The recipe remains the same.
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
Please note:
For accuracy, when weights are provided, we recommend weighing your ingredients. This will produce the best results. All oven temperatures listed are for fan forced.
Ingredients
Cake:
- ¾ cup (180 ml) neutral flavoured oil - I use grapeseed See Note 1
- ¾ cup (165 gm) superfine/caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract See Note 2
- 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
- 1 ½ cups (145 gm) grated carrot (approx. 2 large carrots) See Note 3
- ½ cup (80 gm) sultanas/golden raisins
- 1 cup (150 gm) gluten free plain flour See Note 4
- 1 ½ teaspoon gluten-free baking powder See Note 5
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Frosting:
- 5 tablespoon (100 gm) cream cheese (at room temperature) See Notes 6 and 7
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (150 gm) pure icing sugar
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 180 Degrees C (355F).
- Cut some non-stick baking paper to line the base of a 21cm/8 ¼ inch ring tin or 19 cm/7 ½ inch springform tin and grease the sides.
- Ensure that you have all your ingredients measured and ready to use.
- Place oil, sugar & vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or into a bowl, to use hand-held electric beaters.Beat until they are well combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition, and continue to beat until light & creamy, about 2 minutes. Do not overbeat. The eggs will emulsify with the oil.
- Remove the bowl from the stand mixer, (if using) stir through the grated carrot and sultanas.
- Gradually sift the flour, baking powder and cinnamon over the bowl and fold in gently using a spatula to avoid knocking out the air. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared ring tin or springform tin.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.If using the ring tin, stand for about 10 minutes before turning the cake onto a rack. If using the springform tin, remove the sides and then stand the cake for about 15 minutes. Gently turn onto a cooling rack.
- Remove the baking paper and leave the cake to cool completely before frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Place cream cheese and vanilla in a small bowl and mix well together until smooth.Sift the icing sugar to remove any lumps. Add to the cream cheese and mix until it forms a smooth, creamy frosting.
- Spread the frosting over the cake.
- Store the cake in air tight container or well covered in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- Use a neutral flavoured oil of your choice. I used grapeseed oil.
- For the best flavour, use vanilla which has been extracted from vanilla beans. Avoid synthetically flavoured vanilla.
- I used 2 large carrots to get this weight. Ensure you freshly grate your carrot. Pre-grated carrot will be too dry for this cake.
- I have used a commercial gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour which is made from a blend of naturally occurring gluten-free flours. However, you can substitute regular plain/all-purpose flour if you don’t need the cake to be gluten-free. Our gluten-free flour blends contain either xanthan or guar gum to stabilise and provide structure to our recipes.
- Check the label to ensure that the baking powder is gluten-free.
- Use cream cheese from the block available in supermarkets, not the spreadable kind.
- The Australian tablespoon is 20ml or 4 teaspoons. In many other countries, the tablespoon is 15 ml or 3 teaspoons. Please adjust your measurement if necessary.
- I have used pure icing/confectioners’ sugar as it is naturally gluten-free. Pure icing sugar tends to clump together and needs to be sifted before using. If using icing mixture, ensure that it is gluten-free.
- Please note, the nutritional information is based on the cake being sliced into 8 pieces. The nutritional information is an estimate only.
Nutrition Estimate:
Nutritional Disclaimer:
The nutritional information is an estimate only, and is derived from online calculators. For accurate results, we recommend calculating the nutritional information based on the ingredients and brands you use.
Lynley Chalmers says
This was a delicious gluten and dairy free carrot cake, so lovely and light and moist. It was easy to make too. Thank you for sharing your recipe
Lynley Goolwa North, South Australia
Alexandra Cook says
Hello Lynley,
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe 🙂 Alex xo
Sarah Isaacs says
i want to try this but only have a loaf tin. Do you think the cake will have the structure to cope with being in a deeper tin? Thank you.
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Sarah!
Although I have not tried this, so couldn't say for sure, I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. It is a delicate, tender cake, and it might not have the structure to cope. Alex xo
Fleur says
Hi there Alex and faye I made this recipie it was so easy and quick to make it was also very light and not heavy I will be making this again.
Alexandra Cook says
Thank you so much, Fleur!
So happy you enjoyed this recipe 🙂 Alex xo
David Bunt says
Love this. Super tasty and best of all for our household, gluten free!
Being the only member of my house that CAN eat gluten, it’s nice to have sweet treats that are standouts with or without gluten. Delicious.
Alexandra Cook says
Thank you so much, David!
I am so happy to hear this - I always try to make sure our GF recipes can be enjoyed by all. Alex xo
Lisa says
Would I need to double this recipe to make a layered cake? Is one batch equivalent to one 9inch round pan?
Alexandra Cook says
Hi Lisa,
I have not tried doubling this recipe, so couldn't say for sure how it would work out. If you give it a try, I'd love to hear how you get on!
This recipe is for a single layer cake, that fits into either a 21cm/8 ¼ inch ring tin or 19 cm/7 ½ inch springform tin.
Thanks, Alex
Jane says
Hi Alex
How elated I am to find your site, so many sites that have gluten free recipes are either American or British and the flour they use are either not available here in Australia or are very expensive to buy on line. What a pleasure to find not only that you live in Australia but in South Australia (where I live)
Just wondered if you could advise what make of gluten free flour you used in your GF Carrot Cake
Kind regards
Jane
Alexandra Cook says
Hello Jane,
How lovely you have come across our page 🙂
And always nice to meet a fellow South Aussie!
I have made this recipe with a few different flours over the years, but my favourites would either be Orgran GF or Bob's Red Mill.
I hope you'll get to try this cake soon! Thanks, Alex xo
Rebecca says
We had a surplus of carrots and a craving for cake yesterday so we made this. So delicious! Ticked the box for my daughter who asked for a carrot cake without nuts too haha. Only change I made was to use a different icing because I needed it to be dairy free. I made your gingerbread loaf icing instead.
Alexandra says
Hi Rebecca, thank you for your fantastic feedback on the GF Carrot Cake. I am delighted that you and your family enjoyed the cake; what a great idea to use the lemon icing for a dairy-free alternative! 🙂
Cassie says
Absolutely to die for. So light & moist. I made it to share for dinner with my family & everyone loved it. We aren’t GF so I just used plain flour as mentioned in the cooking tips.
Alexandra says
Hi Cassie, thank you for your lovely comments on the Carrot Cake. I am delighted that you enjoyed it, and yes, it works well with regular flour. 🙂
Vivian says
can i use regular wheat flour
Alexandra says
That will work fine 🙂 Let me know if you give it a try!
Leigh Hill says
You got me at "it's not complicated". This cake was delicious and so easy to make. I've been a coeliac for 4 years and have had several attempts at making GF cakes without success. Nailed this one though. Thanks, Leigh from Darwin 🙂
Alexandra says
Hello Leigh, I am thrilled that you enjoyed the GF Carrot Cake. Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
Alice says
Hi Alex
I am in Australia and wanting to make this. Which flour should I use and how do I know if its got xantham?. I looked at a few brands and could not tell from the packet. Secondly can I double the recipe to make a layered cake?. Thank you
Alexandra says
Hi Alice!
My favourite brand is Orgran, which I buy at Coles or Foodland. (It contains guar gum, which is perfect - no need for added xantham.)
I haven't ever doubled the recipe, so I couldn't say for sure, although I imagine it would work fine if the mixture was evenly distributed between two tins.
Let me know how you get on 🙂 Kind regards, Alex
Alice says
Thank you for your prompt response. I will let you know how I go with doubling
Isobel says
Made this cake last week for the first time - haven't stopped thinking about it since.
Going to make a double batch tonight so it doesn't disappear so quickly.
Alexandra says
Hello Isobel, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed the GF Carrot Cake and appreciate that you took the time to let me know. It's a good sign when it disappears quickly! 🙂
zoe says
we were gonna go knock on our local coffee shop's door to get thier carrot cake recipe, but now we dont have to!!!! yay for social anxiety and carrot cake and this recipe 🙂
Alexandra says
Hello Zoe, thank you so much for your lovely comments regarding our Carrot Cake. I am thrilled to hear that you enjoy it - cake makes everything better! Thank you so much. 🙂
David says
We made this for afternoon tea yesterday. So easy and really delicious. Great texture - very moist (sorry to use that word, but best way to describe it!) The cream cheese icing is really nice. Thank you!
Alexandra says
Thanks, David!
I am pleased the cake was a success. I agree, that really is the best word to describe to texture 🙂
Kind regards, Alex
Kyleigh says
This is delicious!
Alexandra says
Thank you, Kyleigh!
Ashlea C. says
Gluten-free but still indulgent...this recipe is absolutely wonderful! Thank you for sharing it.
Alexandra says
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Ashlea!! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
Lala says
Gluten free spiced carrot cake is so inviting. With your detailed recipe it was easy for me to follow it.
Thanks for sharing this yumm cake.
Alexandra says
Hi Lala, I am thrilled that you enjoyed our Carrot Cake; thank you for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Kate says
This looks wonderful. Which gluten free flour are you using? Is it free fom xanthan or guar gum?
Alexandra says
Hi Kate!
I have used a commercial gluten-free plain/all-purpose flour which is made from a blend of naturally occurring gluten-free flours. Our gluten-free flour blends contain either xanthan or guar gum to stabilise and provide structure to our recipes.
I am in Australia, and so depending on where you are, our brands may differ. This recipe has been tested with: Orgran, Woolworths and Coles Gluten-Free flour.
Let me know if you have any queries. Kind regards, Alex