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.
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 20minutes
Cook Time 45minutes
Total Time 1hour5minutes
Servings 10
Author Tessa Fisher
Ingredients
3/4cupfinely grated zucchini, squeezed of excess liquid
1cupfinely grated carrots, squeezed of excess liquid
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a loaf pan (8x4x2) with coconut oil or cooking spray. Line the loaf pan with parchment paper.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lauren says
Tessa this looks and sounds delicious!! Carrot cake is my favorite, but I love your twist on it by adding zucchini too!
Tessa says
Carrot cake is one of my favorites too. :) Thanks so much, Lauren!!