The holiday season is sneaking up on us, and with this gluten-free carrot cake, Celiac sufferers will not have to feel left out!
November is upon us and that means we are getting closer and closer to Christmas! While Canadian Thanksgiving has already passed, America has yet to celebrate theirs. I find a lot of my readers are from the US so it is only fitting I try and incorporate everyone. This month you will be seeing a lot of Thanksgiving recipes that were made for my celebration this year. A win-win for everyone!
Today, however, is a much delayed recipe. I made this gluten-free carrot cake for my mother-in-law for her birthday... In July... Yes, I am far behind but there has been so much going on I could not find an appropriate time to post the recipe! I wanted to wait until Easter but that just felt too long. With the holiday season drawing near, I figured it was time this carrot cake made its debut because it is FANTASTIC! We all really loved it, and considering it is gluten-free, the taste and texture were just phenomenal. I have talked about Robin Hood Nutri Flour Blend (gluten-free) in previous posts and have remarked that the goods made from this flour almost remind me of whole wheat goodies. It just has that texture about it. But in carrot cake, it works! If I had not mentioned this cake was gluten-free, I don't think anyone would have noticed.
Coming up with the recipe, I wanted to work with a favorite carrot cake recipe of mine and transform it. I think it worked perfectly, and it is quite similar to Robin Hood's recipe on their site (but hey, this is the one I created!) However, I do think mine came out with a fluffier texture and held its moisture quite well. Just saying 😉
Usually when it comes to gluten-free baking, it is hit or miss. There is definitely a noticeable taste difference in many gluten-free recipes, but as my mother-in-law has stated, she is really happy with how far the gluten-free industry has come because she has no choice but to eat these foods. I am not affiliated or endorsed by Robin Hood, but I have really enjoyed working with their product. It is quick and simple for the non-bakers, and for people who do not want to buy fancy ingredients but still live gluten-free. Sometimes it is a choice, but many times it is not, so I am happy to help out the Celiac-diagnosed. Who knows how far I would have ventured into gluten-free baking had my mother-in-law never been diagnosed. Vegan baking is one thing, but I find I struggle most with keeping gluten-free baked goods moist (and tasty!)
That being said, this gluten-free carrot cake is really simple and great for the holidays. I am considering whipping up this recipe again very soon in cupcake form so my mother-in-law can have some frozen treats in her freezer (I definitely find gluten-free desserts parish a lot faster than ordinary baked goods.)
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with Robin Hood Nutri Flour Blend
Easter or Christmas, this gluten-free carrot cake using Robin Hood Nutri Flour Blend (Gluten-Free) is perfect for any guests (Celiac or not!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and grated (food processor works great here!)
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup melted coconut oil
- 2 cups Robin Hood Nutri Flour Blend (gluten-free) flour
- ½ cup buttermilk, room temperature
- 2 tsp. baking soda
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- ½ tsp. xanthan gum
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- ½ tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ¼ cup butter, room temperature
- ½ cup cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups confectioners' sugar
- ½ tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease two 8-inch pans with shortening and coat with flour. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the carrots, eggs, sugars, buttermilk, vanilla, coconut, and coconut oil. In another bowl, sift together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, xanthan gum salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
- Separate the batter evenly between the two pans. The cake does not rise too much, so do not be concerned if there appears to be a lot of batter. Place into the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until centre comes out clean when you insert a toothpick inside. Set on cooling racks for 10-15 minutes, or until you can handle the pans without burning yourself. Flip cakes out and allow to finish cooling.
- Buttercream:
- Add the butter to the bowl of your stand mixer. Whip until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add in the cream cheese and whip for 1-2 more minutes. Add confectioners sugar and vanilla, whipping again to combine (add more confectioners' sugar for a stabler buttercream, but you risk the chance of masking the cream cheese.)
- Assembly:
- Level cake tops if necessary. Place one half onto cake tray and spread half the buttercream onto the layer. Add the next layer and pour the rest of the buttercream on top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 578Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 69mgSodium: 436mgCarbohydrates: 74gFiber: 3gSugar: 54gProtein: 5g
With all the Thanksgiving recipes coming up, my dessert posts will be limited. But do not worry, I have already been thinking (and creating) about Christmas baked goods and cannot wait to share them! I love Christmas, especially making cookies, so try and refrain from being too excited for what is to come!
Nutmeg Nanny
This cake looks perfect! I'm used to seeing gluten free cakes look a bit on the dense side. This looks sooooo good! Plus all the frosting...yum!
Kacey
I agree on the dense part but this one really came out moist (and totally not tasting gluten-free!)
Ali @ Home & Plate
This carrot cake looks so moist and flavorful. It is the perfect dessert heading into the holidays!
Kacey
Thanks, Ali!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors
This cake is stunning! Carrot cake is my all time hands down favorite! So glad you were able to come up with a recipe that your MIL loved!! This is definitely going on my must make for special occasion list!!
Kacey
Yay!! Thanks, Sam!
Joanie @ Zagleft
Kacey, Carrot cakes are my favorite kind of cake. I could eat them any time of the year. I'm amazed at how far gluten-free baking has come, your cake looks so perfectly moist.
Kacey
Isn't it amazing? Much easier, too, than buying a ton of gluten-free flours and making your own.
Stephanie
You would never guess this was gluten free! It looks perfect!
Kacey
Thank you, Stephanie!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
What a gorgeous carrot cake! My husband would love this!
Kacey
Thanks, Des 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
I adore carrot cake and this looks amazing! It's so fluffy! Love that you were able to make a successful gf version to celebrate!
Kacey
Thank you, Patricia.
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert
My mother-in-law loves carrot cake! This would be a perfect recipe to try if we were having a party for her and invited a celiac friend!
Kacey
It would be! Thanks, Sabrina.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
Oh, wow. You can make my birthday cake, too, if you'd like. 😉 I wouldn't protest! This looks awesome. And love that it's gluten-free!
Kacey
If only you lived closer 😉
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Your cake looks so fluffy and moist! Carrot cake is what my mom requests every year on her birthday, this one looks perfect
Kacey
Thanks, Erin! And you would never guess it is gluten-free.