Gluten-free carrot cake

Gluten-free carrot cake

1 h
Savour the richness of our gluten-free carrot cake, an exquisite treat with a moist texture and strong flavours from cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Each slice of this spiced cake gives you everything you want from a carrot cake, only gluten-free because of the almond flour. Topped with smooth cream cheese frosting and crunchy walnuts, it is a perfect choice for a special occasion or as a cosy afternoon treat.
https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/gluten-free-carrot-cake/

Instructions

Cake
  • Preheat the oven to 175°C (conventional oven).
  • Grease a 24 cm diameter springform tin and line the bottom with baking paper.
  • Peel and finely grate carrots. Melt butter.
  • Whisk eggs, dark muscovado sugar, and vanilla powder at high speed until fluffy.
  • In a separate bowl, mix almond flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and baking powder.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients, carrots, and melted butter to the egg mixture, stirring thoroughly.
  • Pour the batter into the tin and bake in the middle of the oven for about 80 minutes or until done.
  • Allow the cake to cool completely.
Frosting
  • Whisk cream cheese, icing sugar, and lemon juice until smooth.
  • Spread the frosting on the cold carrot cake.
  • Garnish with walnuts.
Enjoy!
Tips

To easily remove the cake from the springform tin, run a thin-bladed knife around the edge before unclasping the sides. This will keep the edges neat.

Tips

You can smooth the frosting gently over the surface for a classic, even look, but you can also give it a more decorative look. Put the frosting in a piping bag with a nozzle, for example, a star nozzle, and pipe peaks all over the cake until you have a beautiful frosting layer on top.

Questions about gluten-free carrot cake

If you want to know more about gluten-free carrot cake, we have gathered some extra information here below.

Is carrot cake gluten-free?
It can be. A carrot cake usually contains gluten, but this one is gluten-free as it contains almond flour instead of regular flour. Almond flour gives the cake a deliciously moist texture and a rich, nutty flavour, distinct from traditional wheat flour versions. It also yields a denser but just as moist cake, offering a delightful variation of the classic carrot cake experience.
Can you freeze gluten-free carrot cake?
Yes, you can freeze gluten-free carrot cake. Wrap it tightly in cling film and then in foil to protect it from freezer burn. It is best to freeze it without the frosting and add that once it has thawed and is ready to serve. Because of the cream cheese in the frosting, it might lose its smooth texture, becoming watery and grainy as it thaws.
How to store gluten-free carrot cake?
This cake can be kept at room temperature for 1-2 days if you have not frosted it, but to keep it longer or to store it with frosting, put it in the fridge. Here, it will keep for up to 5 days. To ensure it does not dry out, wrap it well in cling film or put it in an airtight container.

Ingredients

Cake
Carrots
300 g
Butter
150 g
Eggs
5
Dark muscovado sugar
300 ml
Vanilla powder
½ tsp
Almond flour
800 ml
Ground cinnamon
1 tsp
Ground ginger
1 tsp
Ground nutmeg
1 pinch
Baking powder
1 tsp
Walnuts
150 g
Frosting
Cream cheese
250 g
Icing sugar
750 ml
Lemon juice
2 tsp
Garnish
Walnuts

Try our recipe for gluten-free carrot cake

Indulge in our exquisite gluten-free carrot cake, a delightful treat that everyone can enjoy. Our recipe offers a moist and flavourful cake, perfect for those who love a sweet and spiced cake. Made with almond flour and a harmonious blend of spices, it brings a satisfying twist to the classic carrot cake. But of course, no carrot cake without cream cheese frosting, and you get the well-known tangy frosting here, too. It is a recipe you must try.

A moist cake with delicious spices

Infused with a blend of warm spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and a hint of nutmeg, this carrot cake boasts a depth of flavour that elevates it beyond the ordinary. The cinnamon adds a sweet, woody warmth, while ginger brings a slightly spicy and pungent kick. Nutmeg, with its nutty and slightly sweet undertone, rounds it all out. Together, these spices create a symphony of flavours that perfectly complement the earthiness and natural sweetness of the finely grated carrots, contributing to the moistness of the cake. The result is a cake that is aromatic, rich in flavour, and delightfully balanced, making each bite a real treat. If you want to try other cakes with strong flavours, try our spiced carrot sheet cake with cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger or go all out with piercing lemon flavours in our tangy lemon loaf cake.

Topped with a velvety frosting and crunchy walnuts

The topping is just as important as the batter. We top the cake with a smooth and tangy cream cheese frosting with lemon juice. It makes for a velvety frosting with a flavour that pairs beautifully with the spiced cake, creating a perfect balance of flavours. It also looks beautiful with the frosty white against the brown and orange cake. And then, as the finishing touch, crunchy walnuts add both texture and a nutty richness, making each bite a luxurious experience.

A gluten-free alternative for many occasions

This gluten-free carrot cake is perfect for events and celebrations all year round. Serve it at a birthday party, with afternoon tea, or at a festive gathering like Easter. This cake fits seamlessly to any occasion, ensuring that everyone has a delicious dessert option full of flavour. Its rich flavour and moist texture make it a hit with all guests, and the delicious combination of moist cake, smooth frosting, and crunchy walnuts will make people come back for more.

Add your own touch

If there is one cake that is easy to experiment with, it is carrot cake. So, try adding a few extra ingredients to the batter, for example, different nuts or raisins and dried cranberries for a fruity twist. You can also toast the walnuts before topping the cake with them. Toast them on a dry pan or in the oven for a few minutes until they are fragrant. For a tangier flavour, grate some lemon zest into the frosting. It will give the frosting a pretty look with specks of yellow as well as a stronger citrus flavour. It might give it an Easter vibe, too, making it perfect for an Easter table. If you are going in that direction, you can decorate it with chocolate Easter eggs, dragée eggs, or the like, as we do in this recipe for no-bake Easter cheesecake .