This gluten-free Carrot Cake is a family favorite. It’s a healthy dessert for cookouts, picnics, and graduation parties. Made with almond flour, this cake is high in protein and good fat, so you won’t be left with a high-carb hangover after eating it.
I went on a gluten-free diet in 1998, when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I went on a grain-free diet in 2001, and haven’t looked back. My digestion really improved when I gave up typical gluten-free flours like rice flour, that are high in carbohydrates. I’m so glad that I made the switch to paleo baking way back when!
If you are on a nut-free diet, try my incredible Nut-Free Carrot Cake.
Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 3 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
- 1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 5 large eggs
- ½ cup agave nectar or honey
- ¼ cup grapeseed oil or palm shortening
- 3 cups carrots, grated
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup walnuts
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine almond flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg
- In a separate bowl, mix together eggs, agave, and oil
- Stir carrots, raisins, and walnuts into wet ingredients
- Stir wet ingredients into dry
- Transfer batter into 2 well greased 9 inch springform pan
- Bake at 325°F for 35 minutes
- Cool cake for 3 hours, then remove from pan
- Serve
In other news, my spring has been filled with baseball. As I mentioned, I am coaching my son’s little league team and it is quite a hoot. We won again yesterday, though more importantly, the boys are playing as a team and have great spirit. It is somewhat amazing to see how focused 9 year olds can be and how supportive they are of each other. This coaching deal has been a real treat for me.
We like to smother this Carrot Cake with any of the healthy frosting recipes below for an incredible show stopping dessert:
moi says
Guess what. I made the coconut frosting. It didnt turn out creamy and quite crunchy. I followed every step of your instructions and didnt skip a beat
elana says
Anina -It’s been too long, hope you are well, was just asking Tara about you the other day and she reported your news to me :-) Much Love, E.
~M -Many apologies for the blacklisting; thanks for reporting all of the technical issues to me each time they occur! Hope you like this cake.
gizmar Happy agave shopping; let me know how this turns out for you.
Heather -HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Courtney -Have a great time in NYC and hope your husband enjoys the cake.
Nicole -Yes indeed, it is the coconut frosting, though I think this would also go very well with my cream cheese frosting.
Amy -If you do let me know how she likes it.
LIzzie -What a wonderful carrot cake story; thanks!
Lizzie says
Oh my goodness; this looks absolutely amazing! Yum! Carrot cake will now forever remind me of my engagement. Shortly after my (now) fiance proposed we went to a store called “World’s Best Carrot Cake” in Asheville, NC and bought one of their gluten-free carrot cakes. What a great way to celebrate :)
Amy says
Carrot cake always reminds me my sister because it’s her favorite! Though I’m sure she’s never had it be this healthy before – I can’t wait to try it out on her.
Nicole says
Delicious pictures once again — carrot cake is a family favorite and I’m always looking for alternative recipes and yours looks so yummy! is that the coconut frosting?
Courtney Holden says
OH MY GOODNESS…YUM!!! I am meeting my Mother in NYC for a girls weekend. My husband will be left at home and I have an idea… what if I left his favorite cake of all time, a homemade carrot cake behind to keep him company? I have everything but the carrots and raisins… Once again, here I go. Thanks Elana for your inspiration.
heather says
I remember having lots of carrot cake throughout childhood, as it is one of my mother’s favorite cakes. One year, I requested a Raw Carrot Cake, which was very good. Your GF carrot cake looks amazing… We are GF and have not really delved into the realm of cakes yet.. My birthday is coming up, this weekend actually, and I am going to have a GF Lemon cake with your Coconut frosting! Looking forward to it :) Thanks for sharing your recipes.
gizmar says
Carrot cake is my first love and greatest weakness. You’ve encouraged me to go and check out ingredients I’ve never used before – never even knew what they were. Tomorrow is agave nectar shopping. Thanks.
~M says
Elana, this looks so wonderful!! And I need my healthy treats! Thanks so much!
Anina says
Dear Elana,
This looks absolutely amazing ! I will definitely try to make it. I also made your grain free granola, it is the best I ever had.
Anina
Susan says
I looked at the FAQs and I didn’t see an answer to my question. I’d like to add pineapple to the carrot cake recipe. Can I add it without creating a too moist cake? Thank you.
Rozlynne says
Hi, I’m thinking you could replace agave nectar for the same amount of crushed pineapple with juice, I’m going to give it a go. I will let you know how it turns out.
Adrienne says
how did it go?! i want to do the same