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A slice of gluten-free carrot cake on a plate with a fork.

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake

Easy gluten-free carrot cake recipe makes a moist and delicious cake. Add pineapple for an extra treat. Make the best cupcakes or muffins for the carrot lover in your life.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 10 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Gluten-Free Baking Flour, see note 1 (9 ½ ounces; 269 grams)
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar (5 ½ ounces; 142 grams)
  • ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar (5 ½ ounces; 142 grams)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup canola or other vegetable oil (5 ¼ ounces; 148 grams)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups grated carrots (about 5 to 6 large carrots) (7 ½ ounces; 212 grams)
  • 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)
  • ½ cup raisins (optional)

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened, see note 2
  • ½ cup butter, softened (4 ounces; 113 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (16 ounces; 453 grams)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

  2. Whisk together the gluten-free flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, ginger and nutmeg. If there are any lumps of brown sugar, break them up.

    Add the oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until the batter is smooth. Stir in the carrots. Add the drained pineapple, pecans, and/or raisins, if using.

  3. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
  4. Bake until golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center of the cake should come out clean, about 35 minutes.

  5. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely. When cool, frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  1. Combine cream cheese, butter and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Cream until light and smooth. Add powdered sugar. Mix until smooth.

Recipe Notes

NOTE 1: Gluten-Free Flour

This recipe was tested with Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Gluten-Free Baking Flour. To use your own flour blend, combine:

1 cup white rice flour
½ cup sweet rice flour
½ cup tapioca starch
½ teaspoon xanthan gum

Whisk in a small bowl before using. 

NOTE 2: Cream Cheese

Use brick-style cream cheese. Whipped cream cheese does not work in this recipe.