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This healthy carrot cake is a fluffy and moist cake made with wholesome ingredients! No eggs or refined sugar is needed, it makes a fabulous healthier dessert.
Who said desserts can’t be healthy?
When done correctly, they taste just as good as their traditional counterparts. Some of our favorite desserts we’ve given a healthy makeover include chocolate cake, brownies, and this glorious carrot cake.
Table of Contents
Recipe highlights
Because I feel it necessary to eat carrot cake every day, I wanted to come up with a healthier version of it, but without sacrificing taste. That is a common issue with ‘healthy’ cake recipes- They turn out dry and lack any sweetness.
This carrot cake is the exception. Don’t let the ‘healthy’ in front of it deter you.
- It uses simple ingredients. No hard-to-find flours, sugars, or baking agents are needed.
- Perfect with or without frosting. Let’s be honest, the best part of any cake is the frosting, but this one is different. It’s so delicious on its own.
- The best texture. It is just as fluffy and moist as any good carrot cake out there, loaded with shredded carrots and perfectly sweet.
How to make a healthy carrot cake
You won’t need any fancy mixers or kitchen gadgets to make them- Just one bowl. The hard part is waiting for the cake to cool!
- All Purpose Flour– I used white whole wheat flour, which is essentially wholewheat flour, but bleached white. It is higher in fiber than traditional white flour.
Dietary swap
Following a gluten free diet? Swap out the flour for a cup-for-cup gluten free flour blend.
- Baking powder and baking soda– Leavens the cake, and gives it some rise and fluffiness.
- Cinnamon– A must for any good carrot cake!
- Sugar of choice– Choose coconut sugar to keep the cake refined sugar free or opt for something like allulose to cut the sugar completely. White or brown sugar also work.
- Milk of choice– Almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.
- Coconut Oil– A fantastic substitute for butter. Use refined coconut oil to ensure there is no coconut flavor. If you can’t tolerate coconut oil, any other neutral-tasting oil will work (e.g. sunflower oil or vegetable oil).
- Grated Carrots– The carrots must be grated, not chopped. This ensures they mix into the batter well.
- Almonds and Walnuts– For some added texture to the cake! I used chopped almonds, but walnuts would be a great addition too.
- Raisins– Optional, but I believe every good carrot cake has some raisins in them!
In a mixing bowl, mix together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon and set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together your sweeteners, milk, and coconut oil, until combined and glossy.
Combine your wet and dry ingredients together, until just combined. Fold through your shredded carrots, nuts, and raisins.
Transfer the batter between two cake pans and bake for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out just clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan completely.
- This makes a layer carrot cake. If you’d like this to be a single cake, simply halve the ingredients.
- Do not overmix the batter. We want the ingredients to be mixed, but just until they are combined. Overmixing can potentially lead to a less fluffy cake.
- Do not make any substitutions unless one of the ones recommended in the ingredient list. Using another flour or adding something else into the batter can affect the taste, texture, and cooking time.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover cake should be stored in the refrigerator, in a sealable container. It will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze: You can either freeze the cake as a whole cake or in individual portions. Keep the cake in a freezer friendly container and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
More healthy desserts to try
Yes! This cake doesn’t have any eggs or dairy in it, making it suitable for those following a vegan diet.
While this batter can be used to make muffins, you may prefer making carrot muffins instead. The ingredients are quite similar but are designed to be made into muffins.
Not necessarily! People often assume that just because there are carrots in carrot cake that is the healthiest option. However, most cakes use butter, oil, and plenty of sugar in it! Let’s not forget the cream cheese frosting that comes with it.
Healthy Carrot Cake
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups all purpose flour Gluten free, if needed
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup sugar * See notes
- 1 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups milk I used unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup coconut oil melted (can use any neutral tasting oil)
- 3 1/2 cups carrots grated
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1/2 cup raisins Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line them with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon, and mix well.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together your granulated sweeter, coconut sugar, milk of choice, and melted coconut oil, until glossy and smooth.
- Combine your wet and dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated. Fold through your shredded carrots, nuts, and raisins.
- Distribute your cake batter evenly amongst the two cake pans. Bake for around 40 minutes, until a skewer comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pan completely. Once cooled, you can frost them, if desired.
I love this recipe. I will be making it again this year. Thank you so much.
My carrot cake just cooled, tasted it. Very soft, fluffy and moist. Lessened the granulated sugar from 1 c to 3/4 c, just right, not sweet, delicious and healthy vegan carrot cake. Thank you for sharing this recipe, Arman! It’s a 5!
Truly appreciate the way you made this wonderful and delicious carrot cake. With having fresh carrots this season, I think there nothing best to make your lovely cake. Everything is so nicely described that would help to make this carrot cake at home.
In your muffin and cake recipes can I swap a couple of whipped egg whites for baking powder? I can’t eat it, or baking soda. Thanks. LOVE your recipes!
Haven’t tried that, feel free to experiment and see!
Oh lord, please help me. I am so sorry for the dumb question, but when you say “¾ cup gluten free flour;
½ cup certified gluten free oat flour (can sub for standard gluten free flour)”, do you mean I can use just another 1/2 cup of gf flour instead of the oat flour? Or is it saying use the 1/2 cup of oat flour instead of the gf?? (If that makes no sense, my main question is, how much would it be I only have gf flour??)
Super yummy! Can’t believe how moist given how little oil is in this recipe. I made muffins because they’re just so fun and easy, especially when I use parchment muffin liners, so no greasing is necessary! The recipe made 8 regular-sized muffins. I used 1 c. oat flour and 1/4 c. tiger nut flour. I used an egg, but want to try the vegan version, too. I used Garden of Life Raw Vanilla Chai Protein Powder and Kite Hill plain almond yogurt. I used 365 unsweetened almond milk, but didn’t have to add very much, maybe a scant 1/4 c. I used 1/8 c. coconut sugar, a scant 1/8 c. xylitol and a packet of Truvia. I think they will be lovely spread with almond butter or applesauce. Thanks for the recipe!
Oh wow, tiger nut flour- Thanks so much for the feedback, Kim- I’ll need to try this version out!
Could you use more oat flour to sub. For the gf flour of choice?
That would work, although it will be a little more dense.
I’ll try adding 1 or 2 more eggs and some more milk if needed. Want to try it out for Mother’s Day. Thank you
Ashy! So sorry, my comment got cut off- Try out my flourless blueberry breakfast cake- There is a paleo option, switch out the blueberries for 1 cup of shredded carrots 🙂
Can I use coconut flour for the gluten free flour, usually you have subs for all types of lifestyle paleo, vegan, GF, DF… Maybe I missed it because i was drooling at carrot cake & healthy.
Thank you for all that you do for the flow cooks out there!!
Fellow* lol
Hi Ashy! I haven’t tried it with this recipe sorry!
Do you think this recipe would work substituting the Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt? Thanks for your help.
Can we substitute the wheat flour for something else? like, more oats flour ?
Hi Gaby! You can try it with oat flour- I’m not sure how good it will be- You can try my flourless carrot breakfast cake if you’d like all oat flour 🙂
Hey, I have to tel you this is the best carrot cake I’ve ever had! I substituted the egg for 2 egg whites, I used olive oil and left all the flour to be oats flour, it tastes really good! 😀
Thanks a lot for uploading this kind of recipes! Saludos desde México
Normally I go for carrot cake BECAUSE of the frosting, but this recipe looks and sounds delicious. Can’t wait to try it!!
😀 thanks so much, Rebecca!
You know its a winner when frosting isn’t needed..because daaaaang that cream cheese frosting can make ANYTHING GOOD #bestfrostingever
xo
Sarah Grace
Just this week I was craving carrot cake with lemon cream cheese frosting and this healthy version of yours looks absolutely delicious! And I love that it’s clean enough to have for breakfast! I’m #teamcake and though I love icing, I find it can be a little rich and sickly sometimes. Just wondering if there was another flour I could use instead of a gf blend? I’m on a super restricted diet atm for health reasons and I could actually eat this, so TIA!
Cream cheese Is the only time the frosting does actually win that one! Cream cheese frosting all the way..on everything…in everything. Muffins, french toast. Cue cravings.
Can you bake this in a sheet cake pan instead of a loaf pan or do you not think it would cook correctly that way?
Hi Dalayna! 🙂
Making it in a sheet cake pan is exactly how my mum makes it 🙂 Just cut down on the cooking time slightly 🙂
Cream cheese is the ONLY time that the frosting actually wins that battle. But cream cheese hands down. Now I’m hardcore craving cream cheese stuffed french toast. Nummm
Anyways, could you make this in a pan as a sheet cake instead of a loaf? Or will it not bake correctly that way?
This looks so yummy. Great idea. Just discovered your blog and I absolutely love it 🙂 Thank you for the awesome recipe!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Cindy! 🙂
Hey Arman, Brilliant recipe!!! I’m so gonna try this with my Protein powder, which I need to finish quick 😀 Love the sound of the recipe and the description……Wanna have a go for it. Will post the feedback once I’ll try this 🙂 Saumya
Thanks so much Saumya- Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Love that this carrot cake can be made for any dietary restriction! Looks delicious!!
Thanks so much Phoebe- Appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Arman, this cake needs no frosting, icing, or anything else to cover it up. It looks like a moist, beautiful loaf. I love those big slices! This would be perfect in the morning with my coffee. Take care my friend, Catherine
Thank you so much Catherine- promise it’s delicious 🙂
This carrot cake sounds delicious, with or without cream cheese frosting! (the difference between breakfast or dessert?) I do have a question though, as am new to cooking with coconut oil. Do you melt the oil first and than measure, or vice versa?
Thanks so much Deanna! I do melt the coconut oil first if it’s Winter and firmed up- Otherwise you can use any oil 🙂 Maybe not olive oil though 😛
Sad to say that when I tried this it did not turn out looking oike the pics at all. It was way too dry to even mix the ingredients together without adding some more liquid, so I added some water and an extra T. of oil thinking maybe my yogurt was just too thick. But now that I think about it again, I think I really ought to have added another egg and even more oil instead. It is still cooling, so I am hoping it at least tastes good, but it certainly looks dry and flat compared to the moist carrot cakey deliciousness I was looking forward to!
Hey there! I’m so sorry it didn’t work out for you- Did you follow the instructions as per listed including the flours and yogurt? This is one of the most made and most tagged recipes (even those who adapt it to make it Vegan) so I’m sorry yours didn’t turn out so well! Please let me know how the second batch turned out!
Sorry if this has been asked already, but what kind of GF blend do you use? Thanks!
No worries at all! I’ve used a couple, one of which is Bob Red Mill’s! 🙂
This recipe looks awesome!! Do you think that you could use coconut flour in the recipe?
Hi Heather! To be honest, I haven’t tried coconut flour with this. If you do use it, you’ll need to adjust all the liquid ratios because of how much coconut flour absorbs liquids! I have tried it with standard wholewheat before and another reader used spelt 🙂
ooooh, I’d have definitely made a second trip for frosting. because, frosting! but this looks fantastic enough as is – wish I had a slice right now!
Haha, not going to lie, when I made truffles with the excess, I had a tonne of frosting left which was perfect for toast. :p
I love carrot cake of all kinds… this looks delish!
Thank you so much 🙂
Could i do this recipe without coconut oil?
I substituted the coconut oil for extra virgin olive oil and it came out great.
Hey Mia 🙂 You can use any mild tasting oil- alternatively you could try applesauce but I’m assuming that it would be more dry!
Just made this and it’s amazing. I used white whole wheat and oat flour, olive oil for the coconut oil (I was lazy to melt it lol) and 1/4 cup dark brown sugar for the sweetener. I found the walnuts made the cake over the top amazing. Thanks for the recipe. I hope to share it with friends and get some great feedback.
Regina- It’s comments like this which absolutely MAKE my day! thank you so much for this. I’m going to share this on the Facebook page! Thank YOU for making it! (PS- I would have been lazy too :))
I shared some of it with friends and I was told it is delicious!
Regina, you are gold. Next time you’re in Melbourne, I will whip you up a loaf 😉
Hey Arman, I’m very new to the whole baking concept and was just wondering, when you say 1T coconut oil, is that 1 teaspoon?
Also, can I just put 1/4 cup sugar instead of Natvia??
Thank you!!!
AAAHHH…carrot cake is my most favorite, and you’ve just made it healthier? What’s not to love? ;-} Thanks a million for sharing your deliciousness with us at Weekend Potluck. Please come back again very soon. Pinning!
Thank YOU for hosting such a fantastic link up- You’ve really inspired me to make more of an effort in the kitchen to participate each week!
Awesome..I’m so glad to know!
Can this be baked in layer pans like a regular cake?
Hi Laura! Yep- it most certainly can- that is exactly how my mum bakes it 🙂
Never in my life have a had a carrot cake before. I guess you cannot call me a bunny. The Playboy mansion would not accept me. Wait, even before they knew this tid bit, they wouldn’t accept me because of something else, LOL!
They would so accept you. Hugh Hefner has gone easy now that he’s aging :p
I cannot get my bread game together. It’s always just a giant fail. Your bread game, however, is on point… I have some carrots and random things I really need to start using up, I’m going to have to make this… well, anytime, since I have an open schedule.
I hope the schedule opens up soon buddy 😉
My bread game is only with easy breads. fml.
I used to love cream cheese frosting – I used to eat the frosting and leave the cake – but that was then – now lactose does not love me! So I will gladly take this carrot cake without frosting – love the lightened up version – but you wouldn’t think it from the looks of it!
Thanks, Shashi!
Definitely team cake! I don’t like frosting at all. I even removed the frosting from my wedding cake ;-P
Carrot has always been my favorite. My mum used to make me carrot cake for my birthday. Best damn cake ever!
Your mum should be proud of her talented son and give you access to all her recipes 😉
LOL. Stefan must really love you then 😉
Our mums should hang out then we can hang out!
I’m the biggest glutton when it comes to frosting. I want it all over my face. I need a 5 to 1 frosting to cake ratio at all times. OK, but really…I’m still obsessing over your photos lately. They have gotten SO GOOD.
Stop flirting with me. I don’t like vegans.
Carrot cake is in my top 3 for desserts! So so so yummy. And people think it’s healthy when it’s on a restaurant menu LAWLZ. Don’t hate me for saying this but this recipe looks so…..moist haha. And yeah you’re right who needs carrot cake to be an excuse for that frosting when you can just use a spoon
LOL!!!!! It totally counts as hidden veggies…right? RIGHT?
I’m team 50% frosting, 50% cake 🙂 And now I’m craving some kind of breakfast bread – banana, zucchini…ahhh!
Well, you’re in luck buddy. Come next week (fingers crossed!)
im team cake all the way…with a thin slice of cream cheese frosting.
Mmm me too!
Arman this looks really good and super healthy too – boom.
I had a massive craving for salty, buttery toast the other day. That craving got nailed 🙂
I always have that craving- maybe it’s an Australian thing 😉
Oh my gosh, I love me some carrot cake! This would be good even with plain cream cheese slathered on top.
YES! I made your carrot cake last year for a brunch lol!
Wowww that must be amazing cake! I LOVE carrot cake, but i always thought it was partially bc i LOVE cream cheese frosting. Coming from another cream cheese frosting appreciator i will take your word on that this cake doesnt need it- and i tip my hat to you sir- thats a job well done!
Thanks buddy. We can save the frosting for the spoons. I wonder if I can make this primal…. 😉
yum yum yum. I know what will pair well with my AM coffee 😉 sounds heavenly !
That’s how I roll too!
While I am slightly disturbed and upset that you forgot the frosting, I suppose I can forgive you because this stuff sounds BOMB. Im a carrot cake lover as well, and I thought it was because of the frosting, but then I realized that I don’t really care for red velvet cake [which also has cream cheese frosting] so I suppose Im just a carrot cake lover! Which means that I will love this cake with or without the frosting.
Of course, frostings always better. 😉
I’ll forgive you of your slip up….this time….
WELL. Thanks for forgiving me. I have a surprise recipe which you’d approve of then coming up 😉
HOLLA!
Mmmk sooo I am not a huge fan of cakes. Like, I’ll eat cake…BUT it’s not my first choice when it comes to desserts. With that being said, carrot cake is the one and only exception. If I had to choose only one dessert to eat for the rest of my life…that would be it. There’s actually a restaurant here (called Fresh) that has a killer carrot cake. It’s vegan but you wouldn’t even know. Should we add that to our list…? 😉 I hope you’re bringing stretchy pants.
I owe you a reply. Expect one tomorrow. 😀
We need to marathon x 100 before we go on our eating bender.
Where’s you mums bloody spoon? I need to whack you with it. Just kidding, although frosting is my favorite part of carrot cake, and I just so happened to eat a ton of cream cheese frosting this weekend on top of some apple cake. Yes, I took one for the team and loved every single minute.
I do like this recipe: Carrot Cake Bread topped with some lovely butter. I could get down with that.
YES- I saw that! I need to pick your brain about it! Okay, messaging you now!
Team cream cheese frosting all the way! It’s the best part of carrot cake. And hey, who says you can’t have cream cheese frosting on breakfast cake… it’s basically just like putting cream cheese on a bagel, right? 😛
It is pretty much the beautiful swan of the ugly sister, being the cream cheese 😉
Sometimes I test a recipe to make sure it’s “ok” and accidentally eat the entire thing. It happens. Glad this didn’t need the icing! Not that I’m against cream cheese icing (never) but carrot cake minus the icing=perfect breakfast.
YES. I made cookies the other day and I ate it because….I’m a twat.
BRO. This is perfect. Carrot cake is my favorite kind of cake, and if the cake itself is good enough, there is no need for frosting. That being said, no need for frosting does not mean no lingering desire… Just as long as it doesn’t overpower the cake!
Your mom should be mad at you for many other reasons besides you bastardizing her carrot cake. One reason being the fact that you’ve eaten kangaroo sausage.
I bet you’ve subconsciously eaten kangaroo sausage before.
I love carrot cake, you’re on a rolllll!
So good!
This looks fabulous. Carrot cake and red velvet cakes are my favorite.
Thanks Hollie- Red Velvet cake’s icing is epic.
Oh wow yum- love carrot cake! We’d make a good team, as I’m on team cake…unless it’s exceptional frosting, I tend to scrape it off. I bet this would taste excellent with some coconut butter slathered on top…or even just as is sounds pretty perfect to me. Nice work, Arman…I’m sure your momma would be proud ;)!
Thanks Khushboo. Coconut butter on it would be great!
Just a question (I’m french..) : what does the T means? from 1 T coconut oil, melted
Thank you and thanks for the great recipes!
Bonjour, Vicca! It stands for tablespoon, so 15 mls 🙂
Cake with a bit of frosting though more of a glaze or thin coat. Wow, I think I can smell that through my computer (:
Thanks Natasha! How good does it smell 😉
This looks so delicious you inspired a new pinterest board! Healthy Baked Goods!
Thank you! what a great pinterest board idea!
First of all, I haven’t seen the word “besotted” since I studied for my SATs over 10 years ago! You’re bringing me back! Second, totally going to find any context to use “Fail. Bloody. Whale.”
By any chance, is it the same whale that George saved?
I totally second that.
Yes. After his wife died from licking envelopes.
I am besotted by our interactions.
Carrot cake is my all-time absolute favorite and I love this healthier version! Sometimes I make a double batch of cream cheese frosting just so I can eat the extra. 🙂
Anne, that is pure genius and I am stealing that idea!
Cream cheese frosting is one of my favorite foods EVER!!! Especially when carrot cake or a cinnamon bun is the vehicle for it.
I’m so excited to make my new roomie make this for me. 🙂
How good is it.
LOL. The poor new room mate.
I love carrot cake! This looks delicious, and I’m sure I wouldn’t miss the frosting at all! What a perfect breakfast option!
Thanks, Kelly. I ate it with Greek yogurt for breakfast this week. Because.. well. Healthy 😉
YES! Team Cake all the way! I like cream cheese frosting well enough because of the tangy sweetness, but I’m not crazy about most buttercream frostings… I’d rather have something chocolatey and doughy. That being said, the cake has to be freaking AMAZING if I’m going the frosting-less route, because who likes dry, lifeless dough?
Buttercream frostings make me sick! Dry and lifeless cake is punishment.
Grocery store? Store? Frosting?!
I is American.
HI. I MISS YOU. I also have news for you.
Team Cream Cheese Frosting all the way over here! We make my dad a carrot cake for his birthday every single year… with a double batch of frosting because that’s how things roll in our house.
I have a bunch of shredded carrots in the fridge I was going to use for mug muffins this week, before our microwave broke, I may just have to make carrot bread instead. Though the cream cheese will not be optional 😉
I think that is an epic family tradition. Expect a cheeky carrot cake mug muffin coming up soon! 😉
Well I have one I love already… but I could always use a cheeky mug muffin!
This looks delicious! If I try it I think I might add some crushed pineapple and raisins! Love those two in carrots cake….and maybe then I can skip the coconut sugar since i don’t have any! Also, I am not a frosting fan so this cake is right up my alley. 🙂
Nice! Enjoy.
I would do this with a greek yogurt frosting. Then I would want both equally. Because right now, I needs this.
Confession- I ate a slice broken over Greek yogurt. 😉
Fail. Bloody. Whale. LOLOLOLOLOLOL
Is this spam?
Sam I am.
This IS FABULOUS!!! and i just bought pumpkin cream cheese from Trader Joe’s along with my cinnamon cream cheese that I already have, so basically i need to smear the two together on top of this delicious bread.
I just made pumpkin chocolate bread this weekend, so now I’m gonna gobble that up AFAP (as fast as possible) so i can make this this weekend :):)
YES. AFAP. You have a fast metabolism so should happen soon 😉
Don’t make me chose between frosting or cake?!?!!? i am ALWAYS craving frosting….and I mean it. I woke up about 20 mins ago, and honestly I could easily eat a cup full of frosting RIGHT NOW. My running career would take a nose dive if I did that though, once my sweet tooth awakens……it can’t be stopped, thats why I usually hold out till the evening haha!
I have done that so many times….forgotten the most important-cannot be substituted ingredient! So annoying! This turned out lovely though, carrot cake is the boss…..and now I want some!
Tina- that is genius. Save the sweets for night. I always find that with sweet foods too in the morning..hence a since of cheese 😉
Sometimes I order fudge cake just to eat the fudge frosting and leave the cake over for someone else. Frosting, especially chocolate fudge or a ganache is just my favorite thing in the world lol.
LOL! Love it!
Nice recipe rework! Believe it or not, I have never had carrot cake. I usually crave the salty stuffs but I was craving chocolate these last few days.
haha you and me both. Salt for adrenals, right? Arman, slab some butter on this and I’m so there!
YES. SALTED BUTTER.
I crave salty with sweet stuff so I just add salt….oops. Ask my sister when I eat oatmeal…with the salt shaker next to me.
Very very tasty looking! And I love your recipe with the fact its got Greek yogurt in it. I’ll probably try it with 0% fat Greek yogurt myself (just cause I’m always looking of ways to reduce calories) that’s just personal choice, no offence! 🙂 Your photography is inspiring. 😀
No worries, to each their own 🙂 Thank you!