Low Sugar Dairy Free Carrot Cake

Total time2 hr 5 min

Prep time25 min

Cook time40 min

This snack-cake classic leans hard into warm spice — cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg mingle with three full cups of finely grated carrot for a loaf that's moist, tender, and packed with texture in every bite. Coconut oil keeps the crumb rich without weighing it down, and a handful of chopped walnuts adds welcome crunch if you're into that. The whole thing bakes up into an even, golden square that springs back at the touch, then cools completely before getting layered with a thick, tangy cream cheese frosting that spreads like a dream. Finished with a hint of vanilla, that frosting turns an already-cozy cake into something genuinely special, sliceable into twelve neat squares for a crowd. It's an easy make-ahead dessert, and it fits right into an added sugar–conscious kitchen without missing a beat on flavor or that classic bakery-style finish.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the cake

2 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 fine salt
¾ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled
1 cup granulated sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Baking behavior varies by blend: some brown faster or stay softer, while others brown less. Follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
½ cup packed light brown sugar
Chef's tip
Use the same volume. Brown-sugar replacements vary in moisture, spread, and browning, so follow the package's baking guidance and start checking a few minutes early.
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups finely grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

For the frosting

8 oz dairy free cream cheese, softened
¼ cup dairy free butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Chef's tip
Follow the package's conversion to powdered sugar. In frosting or glaze, add liquid gradually - replacements can absorb it differently.
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp dairy free milk

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
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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