Gluten-Free Carrot-Zucchini Cake (Vegan)

Gluten-Free Carrot-Zucchini Cake made with almond and white rice flour and topped with cashew frosting. A delicious seasonal cake that is egg-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.

It’s carrot cake season, friends. 

Probably my favorite of the seasonal spring desserts. Carrot cake is a classic that never gets old. 

But today, I’m changing a few things up. Because you can never have too many carrot cake recipes.

Especially gluten-free carrot cake recipes. 

I love the natural sweetness and moisture that vegetables can bring to baked goods. Zucchini is the star of my favorite chocolate zucchini muffins and I thought the combination of both carrot and zucchini could really make some magic.

The tricky part of this gluten-free cake was also keeping it egg-free. With the right combination of flours and starch, a moist vegan gluten-free carrot-zucchini cake is possible. 

Carrot-Zucchini Cake with Cashew Frosting Ingredients

Here’s the major players:

• almond flour
• white rice flour
• arrowroot starch (or cornstarch)
• ground flaxseed
• coconut sugar
• maple syrup
• lemon juice
• zucchini
• carrots
• walnuts
• raw cashews

Of course, you can always top your cake with a favorite frosting of choice. This vegan cashew frosting is a cinch to whip up and no oil or vegan butter needed. 

A sprinkle of chopped walnuts on top of the cake adds a nice finishing touch. Loaf cakes make for low maintenance decorating but look pretty all the same. 

If you are on the lookout for a savory carrot recipe as well, Megan has a delicious roasted rainbow carrots recipe that would be perfect for any holiday table. 

More Carrot Recipes

Gluten-Free Carrot Oatmeal Cookies

Oven Baked Carrot Fries

Carrot Pie with Walnut-Oat Crust

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Gluten-Free Carrot Zucchini Cake

Gluten-Free Carrot-Zucchini Cake made with almond and white rice flour and topped with an easy cashew frosting. A delicious seasonal cake that is egg-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free! 

Course Dessert

Keyword gluten-free carrot-zucchini cake

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings 10

Author Tessa Fisher

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup finely grated zucchini, squeezed of excess liquid
• 1 cup finely grated carrots, squeezed of excess liquid
• 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds + 6 tablespoons warm water)
• 1/4 cup (33g) coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup (88g) white rice flour
• 1 1/2 cups (157g) almond flour
• 2 tablespoons (23g) arrowroot starch cornstarch works too
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract I use Rodelle
• 1/2 cup walnuts chopped, extra for topping

Vegan Cashew Frosting

• 1 cup raw cashews, rinsed soaked in hot water for 10 min
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2-4 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 pinches of ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a loaf pan (8x4x2) with coconut oil or cooking spray. Line the loaf pan with parchment paper. 

2. Make your flax eggs in a small bowl and set aside for at least 5 minutes. Grate the zucchini and carrots, squeeze out the excess liquid, and set aside. 

3. In a large bowl, combine coconut sugar, white rice flour, almond flour, arrowroot starch, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. Whisk to combine. Add flax eggs, coconut oil, lemon juice, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until mixture is evenly combined.

4. Fold in zucchini, carrots, and chopped walnuts. Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan. Shake gently side to side to even out batter. Bake for 40-50 minutes. A toothpick should come out almost completely clean and the center should be set. Allow cake to cool completely in pan on a wire rack. 

5. While the cake bakes, allow your cashews to soak in hot water for at least 10 minutes. Drain the cashews and rinse them. Transfer cashews to a high speed blender. 

6. Add maple syrup, almond milk (starting with 1 or 2 tablespoons, add more after blending if needed), lemon juice, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Blend on high until smooth. Place cashew frosting in the refrigerator until it is time to frost.  

7. Use parchment paper flaps to remove cake from pan. Frost with cashew frosting or other desired frosting and top with additional walnuts. Slice and serve.