🥕 The Best Moist Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe (with Cream Cheese Frosting!)
🥕 The Best Moist Vegan Carrot Cake (with Cream Cheese Frosting!) 🥕
Carrot cake is the ultimate comfort dessert. It is wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced, and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. It is a beloved classic for a reason. For those on a vegan diet, this treat might seem out of reach. Traditional recipes are full of eggs, butter, and dairy cream cheese.
But the fantastic news is that creating a stunning vegan carrot cake is incredibly easy. A few simple, plant-based swaps are all you need. This recipe will give you a cake that is so moist and delicious, no one will ever guess it is vegan.
This is the perfect dessert for any celebration. It is especially wonderful for a cozy autumn gathering. Let's start baking this amazing, compassionate treat! 🌱
🤔 What Are the Key Swaps for a Perfect Vegan Carrot Cake?
To "veganize" a carrot cake, we need to replace the eggs and dairy. These plant-based substitutions are simple. They work together to create a perfectly moist and tender cake. They also help us make a rich and creamy frosting.
How do you replace the eggs and dairy in the cake?
To replace the eggs, we will use a combination of unsweetened applesauce and a flax egg. The applesauce provides amazing moisture. The flax egg (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) acts as the perfect binder. For the dairy, we will use a neutral-flavored oil and your favorite plant-based milk.
How do you make vegan cream cheese frosting?
This is the easiest part. The market is now full of amazing vegan cream cheese alternatives. Find one you like at your local grocery store. We will simply beat it with some vegan butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. It creates a perfect, tangy frosting.
🍰 How Do You Make the Best Vegan Carrot Cake?
This simple, one-bowl (mostly) recipe is a game-changer. It is a foolproof way to make a delicious vegan carrot cake. The most important tip is to not overmix the batter. This ensures a tender, fluffy result.
What Ingredients Do You Need?
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg & ginger
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 cup neutral oil
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 flax egg (prepared)
- 2 cups finely shredded carrots
- Optional: 1 cup chopped walnuts or raisins
For the Frosting:
- 1 tub (8 oz) of vegan cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup of vegan butter, softened
- 3-4 cups of powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
What Are the Instructions?
1. Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans. Prepare your flax egg and set it aside.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, both sugars, baking soda, and all the spices.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: To the same bowl, add the oil, applesauce, and the prepared flax egg. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
4. Fold in Carrots: Gently fold in the finely shredded carrots and your optional walnuts or raisins.
5. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.
6. Make the Frosting: While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting. In a bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened vegan cream cheese and vegan butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla.
7. Assemble: Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a plate. Spread a thick layer of frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the entire cake. Enjoy your amazing vegan carrot cake! ✨