Dairy Free Classic Carrot Cake

Total time2 hr 5 min

Prep time30 min

Cook time35 min

Warmly spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, this two-layer cake gets its incredible moisture from vegetable oil and a full three cups of finely grated carrot, with a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans folded in for crunch if you like. The batter comes together in two quick bowls — whisked wet ingredients folded into the spiced dry mix — before baking into tall, tender layers that spring back to the touch. Once cooled, the layers get stacked and coated in a thick, fluffy frosting swiped on with an offset spatula, then chilled until it firms up enough to slice into clean, towering pieces. It's a stunner of a layer cake, packed with real carrot and warm spice in every bite, and it's a genuinely great option to bake for a dairy free celebration.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the cake

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
King Arthur Baking Company Unbleached All-Purpose Flour Gold Medal Flour All-Purpose Unbleached - 5 Lb Bob's Red Mill Organic All Purpose Unbleached White Flour - 5 Lb Bob's Red Mill All Purpose Unbleached White Flour - 5 Lb Pillsbury Best Flour All Purpose - 5 Lb
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2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
4 large eggs
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
½ cup sour cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups finely grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

For the frosting

1 lb cream cheese, softened
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
Chef's tip
Use a stick or block-style dairy-free butter - not a soft tub spread - and swap one-for-one.
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans, line the bottoms with parchment paper, then grease the parchment.
2
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.

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