Lactose Free Vegan Carrot Cake

Total time2 hr 5 min

Prep time30 min

Cook time35 min

This layered carrot cake gets its warmth from cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, with plenty of freshly grated carrot and toasted walnuts folded into a moist, tender crumb. A flaxseed-and-water mixture does the binding work here, while applesauce and plant-based milk keep the batter rich without any heaviness. The frosting whips up thick, tangy, and completely spreadable, piled generously between two layers and swept over the top and sides for that classic bakery look. Chopped walnuts scattered over the finished cake add a nice bit of crunch against all that soft, spiced sponge. It's an easy make-ahead dessert that holds up beautifully in the fridge, and it's a genuinely solid choice for a lactose free spread.

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Ingredients

12 servings

For the cake

2 tbsp ground flaxseed
Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flaxseed Meal - 16 Oz Carrington Farms Organic Milled Flax Seed Paks Gluten Free Spectrum Essentials Cold Milled Organic Premium Ground Flaxseed - 24 oz Barlean's Organic Forti-Flax Premium Ground Flaxseed Carrington Farms Flax Seeds Milled Gluten Free Organic (Ground)
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6 tbsp water
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp salt
1 cup organic cane sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
¾ cup neutral oil (such as canola or sunflower)
½ cup unsweetened applesauce
¼ cup plant-based milk
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
¾ cup chopped walnuts

For the frosting

8 oz vegan cream cheese, softened
¼ cup vegan butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch salt

For serving

¼ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2
In a small bowl, stir together the ground flaxseed and 6 tbsp water until combined. Set aside for 5 minutes until the mixture thickens to a gel.

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