Made with a secret ingredient (it’s love).
Healthier Carrot Cake
Course: SweetsCuisine: American, Dairy Free
Servings
12
slicesPrep time
20
minutesCooking time
1
hourTotal time
1
hour20
minutesIngredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
2 eggs, room temperature
1 1/4 cups coconut sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups carrots, peeled and shredded (plus a light chop after shredding) – could also use apple or zucchini!
Optional mix ins: 3/4 cup walnuts or pecans, raisins, or dried cranberries
- Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
4 oz cream cheese (dairy free if needed)
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and cooking spray to allow for easy removal after baking.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk coconut oil, eggs, coconut sugar, applesauce, and vanilla until combined. Fold in carrots.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and gently whisk until just combined. Fold in nuts/add ins. Batter will be semi thick.
- Spread batter into loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, covering loosely with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent top from over browning. Baking times vary so keep an eye on it! The loaf is done when a toothpick comes out mostly clean with no raw batter. Remove the bread from the oven.
- Make your frosting while you allow the bread to cool completely by using a hand or stand mixer to beat the cream cheese in a medium bowl on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add in sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Taste and add more cinnamon and/or salt if desired. Remember you can always add more but can’t take any out!
- Gentle frost cooled bread. Slice and serve.
Truly the best carrots muffins I’ve ever tried and made. Soft, flaky, airy. Taste delish. Easy and quick to make Approved by my two picky eaters at home. They love to bake them bc they are so healthy.
Truly the best carrot muffins I’ve ever tried and made. Easy and quick to make, soft, flaky and airy. Taste delish. Approved by my two picky eater at home. They enjoy to make them bc it’s healthy treat.