A tender, flavorful gluten free carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, or buttercream frosting. I've included instructions to make a layered cake, sheet cake, and cupcakes from this gluten free carrot cake recipe.
If you love cake, like me, you'll want to make my Gluten Free Pumpkin Cake. My Gluten Free Chocolate Cake is also scrumptious.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake
Have you ever seen a more lovely slice of gluten free carrot cake? This carrot cake recipes uses a few simple ingredients, and there are no complicated steps. I've tested this carrot cake recipe with a couple of different flour blends - which I share below.
Please follow my directions the first time around before testing any substitutions in this gluten free carrot cake recipe.
If you are an experienced baker and you do make a substitution to this carrot cake please leave a comment below sharing what you used.
There's a section below with how to make gluten free carrot cake with step by step photos, and I give alternate directions for making a gluten free sheet cake carrot cake and gluten free carrot cake cupcakes.
Why You're Going to Love This Gluten Free Carrot Cake
Easy to make - This gluten free carrot cake is simple to make and it uses simple ingredients. No need to buy a gluten free carrot cake mix at the store, this one is perfect and easy.
Texture - The texture of this gluten free carrot cake is perfect. With a spongy, tender cake, a great combination of spices, and a little crunch from the shredded carrots, it's perfect.
Stores Well - We share how to store this carrot cake below, but overall, it stores and freezes well. You can make it ahead of time and frost when you're ready to enjoy it.
Versatile - This cake is versatile and it works well with a dusting of powdered sugar, cream cheese frosting, or butter cream frosting. It also pairs well with vanilla ice cream.
This gluten free carrot cake is a reader favorite for many reasons. Hopefully you love it as much as we do.
Gluten Free Flours
For this carrot cake recipe you can use my gluten free flour blend recipe, Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour (not the all-purpose gf flour), or GFJules Gluten Free Flour Blend.
Working with Gluten-Free Flours
When working with or measuring gluten-free flour, spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level. Do not scoop your measuring cup into the gluten-free flour.
The best method really is to weigh the gluten-free flour but I don't have the ingredient weights for all my recipes yet.
Dairy-Free Gluten Free Carrot Cake
They only dairy in this gluten free carrot cake recipe is in the frosting. You can make a cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting using dairy-free ingredients to keep this carrot cake dairy-free.
How to make gluten free carrot cake
- In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and eggs.
- Add oil and vanilla; beat just until smooth.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl combine flour, baking
soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves. - Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Mix until combined.
- Stir in grated carrots. Optional: Stir in chopped nuts.
- Spoon batter evenly into two round 9” and bake as directed.
- Cool completely before frosting.
Although the photos of this gluten free carrot cake show the cake as a layered cake, you can easily make this carrot cake into a sheet cake or cupcakes. See below.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake Sheet Cake
To make a gluten free carrot cake sheet cake mix the batter up as directed. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
Pour cake batter into your prepared pan and level with the back of a rubber spatula.
Bake for 35-38 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes
For the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Position rack in center of oven.
Line two cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. Mix the batter as directed.
Spoon batter evenly into cupcake liners.
Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the centers springs back when touched and the gluten free carrot cake cupcakes are very lightly browned.
For this homemade gluten free carrot cake recipe, I like to use finely shredded carrots, but you can use regular grated carrots. I find the finely shredded carrots lend to a more tender texture, without any large carrot pieces.
I don't use applesauce in my gf carrot cake but if you'd like you can replace half the oil with applesauce.
I haven't tried replacing all the oil with applesauce. Everyone who's tried this homemade gluten free carrot cake has said it's the best gluten free carrot cake - even people who don't eat gluten free.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake Substitutions
Dairy - The dairy is in the frosting, but you can make a dairy free frosting.
Nuts - The chopped nuts are optional but you can leave them out, or use seeds, it's up to you.
Oil - We use vegetable oil but any neutral flavored oil like canola oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil works.
Storing Gluten Free Carrot Cake
You can store this gluten free carrot cake covered in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months with the frosting.
Can I Freeze Gluten Free Carrot Cake
Yes, you can freeze gluten free carrot cake. For best results, wrap each of the cake layers in cling wrap and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. When you're ready to frost the cake, let the gluten free carrot cake layers come to room temperature, so they can absorb some of the moisture from the air, before frosting.
For another amazing cake with carrots try this Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Cake.
More Gluten Free Cake Recipes
Did you make this gluten free carrot cake? Please stop back by and let me know what you thought. Leave a comment below and share your experience.
Gluten Free Carrot Cake
A tender gluten free carrot cake that is simple to make and uses minimal ingredients. Top this homemade gluten free carrot cake with cream cheese frosting or buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
For the carrot cake:
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil (or oil of choice)
- 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon all spice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 cups freshly grated carrots
- Optional: ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 2 teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
- 4½ cups powdered sugar
For Buttercream Frosting
- ½ cup butter (1 stick), room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons gluten-free vanilla extract
- 4½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Position the oven rack in center of oven. Line two 9” round cake pans with parchment paper (cut out circles for the bottom of the pan), and spray with oil; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream sugar and eggs. Add oil and vanilla; beat just until smooth.
- In a separate medium mixing bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Stir in grated carrots. Optional: Stir in chopped nuts.
- Spoon batter evenly into the baking pans.
- Bake for 36–40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean. Start with the lowest time and watch for doneness from there.
- Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then remove from pan and let cool on a rack.
- Frost with your favorite frosting. For a layer cake, place a little frosting in the center of your cake plate. Place a layer on top, frost the top. Add the second layer and frosting the top. If desired frosting the sides.
- Store this gluten free carrot cake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- For the cream cheese frosting - In a medium mixing bowl, beat together cream cheese, butter and vanilla until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well. You can store frosting in the refrigerator in a sealed container
for up to a week. - For the buttercream frosting - In a medium mixing bowl, beat together butter and vanilla until smooth and creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well. Alternate one cup of powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk until all ingredients are blended. Beat in additional milk if needed to obtain desired constancy. You can store frosting in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week.
Notes
- Spoon gluten free flour into the measuring cup, then level.
- Gluten Free Carrot Cake Sheet Cake - To make a gluten free carrot cake sheet cake mix the batter up as directed. Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Pour cake batter into your prepared pan and level with the back of a rubber spatula. Bake for 35-38 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
- Gluten Free Carrot Cake Cupcakes - For the gluten free carrot cake cupcakes preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Position rack in center of oven. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. Mix the batter as directed. Spoon batter evenly into cupcake liners. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the centers springs back when touched and the gluten free carrot cake cupcakes are very lightly browned.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 697Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 92mgSodium: 276mgCarbohydrates: 96gFiber: 1gSugar: 81gProtein: 5g
This nutrition info is based on the exact ingredients and brands that I used a the time. It may not be 100% accurate. Please check your ingredients nutrition labels.
Lacey
My husband said this was the best GF carrot cake he's ever had. Because of the quarantine I didn't want to go out for groceries...so my frosting was made with plain Keffir and a bit of sour cream lol it was actually pretty close to cream cheese flavour!! Thanks for all your delicious recipes!
chrystal
Hi Lacey,
I am so glad you both loved this carrot cake. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and let me know. I love your mock cream cheese frosting! Using keffir and sour cream is very creative.
Best,
Chrystal
Kate
Hi, I loved your chocolate cake, so am looking to try both that again and this carrot cake for my sister’s birthday! I need to make three cakes (I’ll find another recipe too!) could they all be frozen, so I can make ahead?
chrystal
Hi Kate,
Yes, you can make this cake ahead and freeze it. Remember to let the cakes cool completely before wrapping them and freezing them.
Best,
Chrystal
Jessica
Hi! I'm prepping the ingredients to bake the recipe tomorrow. Do you really not need salt in the carrot cake? Thanks so much for sharing all your recipes! I've tried vanilla cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, chocolate cookies, and they've all been fantastic. My favorite are the red velvet cupcakes - they are phenomenal!! Thanks for the answer on the salt, if you have time.
chrystal
Yes, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Best,
Chrystal
Grace Plaza
Can I use cup4cup multipurpose flour gluten free flour
chrystal
I haven't personally tried cup 4 cup in this recipe.
Best,
Chrystal
Cathy
With my Namaste flour I have to use less flour in my recipes. I used coconut oil so it was pretty thick so I added 1 cup crushed pineapple with the juice; it was fabulous! Thank you for this recipe.
chrystal
I am so glad you liked it. Thank you for sharing what you used.
Best,
Chrystal
Kathy Rose
Wow, we loved this recipe! I've been gluten free for 5 years and this is the first cake I've made. I wanted a special Easter dessert for my husband and this is what he chose. I was nervous because not all of my GF recipes have turned out well. This one did and is definitely a keeper! Thank you for sharing this.
chrystal
Hi Kathy,
I am so glad you loved it. Thank you for taking time to stop back by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Diane
Love your recipes, can I use your homemade flour blend with this?
chrystal
Yes, you can use my blend with this cake recipe.
Best,
Chrystal
Gail Keeler
Hi Chrystal, I made cupcakes today. They're as light as angel wings! I made icing with butter, almond butter, almond extract, a spoon of almond milk, and finely chopped crystalized ginger. So delicious. Thanks for posting the recipes.
chrystal
I'm so glad you like them 🙂
Best,
Chrystal
CMBC
Made cupcakes instead and they where delicious. Best GF cake recipe I have ever tried. All other recipes have been dense and sticky but this one was light and soft....just like regular cake! My husband who flat out said he didn’t like carrot cake has been eating these all day, thank you!
chrystal
I am so glad you like this carrot cake. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Alessia
Hi can I use bobs red mill 1:1 Gluten free flour?
chrystal
Yes, we love using the 1:1. I don't recommend the all purpose though.
Best,
Chrystal
Liz
I like to bake, and so the other day my friend asked if I could make a gluten free cake for her family. I had never tried making a gluten free cake, but I said that I would try. Anyway I finally found this website and decided to try the carrot cake, since I like cake and I wanted to do a trial cake on my family.WOW, my family loved it, I even got asked for seconds! They said that they couldn't even tell that it was gluten free (and I would say that they are particular when it comes to food) . So that's why I give this recipe 5 stars no doubt.
chrystal
Hi Liz,
I am so glad you and your family loved it. I hope your friend loves it too. Thank you for taking time to stop by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Sofee
Since the recipe is so so good, my mom has me bake her one every week! It’s crazy, I know, a cake a week, but she absolutely adores it. I was wondering if I could opt out the carrots and replace it with apples? I cannot find an apple cake recipe anywhere to my liking and think this would be a scrumptious base for the apples.
Thank you,
Sofee
chrystal
Hi Sofee,
I am so glad she loves it. You can definitely use apple. Make sure to use a tart apple like a granny smith. After you shredded it, pat the shredded apple with paper towels to take a little of the extra moisture out.
Best,
Chrystal
Karen Mohring
Chrystal,
Do I need to make any adjustments to add pineapple and coconut, and how much of either?
Karen
chrystal
You can add 1/2 cup coconut without adjustment. If you add pineapple you can reduce the recipe by 1 egg and add 1/2 cup of chopped pineapple.
Best,
Chrystal
Marcela
I did this recipe in cupcakes. It was amazing. Easy and delicious... my kids and I loved it!!!
chrystal
I am so glad everyone loved them. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Deborah
Can I use King Arthur flour, measure for measure instead of Red Mill?
chrystal
A few readers have used it in this cake with good results.
Best,
Chrystal
Deborah
Carrot cake is my ultimate favorite and I’m excited to try this recipe. I’m also going to make the pumpkin cake as well. Thanks for sharing.
chrystal
I hope you love them both.
Best,
Chrystal
Patrona
Hi Chrystal...I was wondering if it was possible to add cream cheese batter to the recipe. I'm planning on making them in muffin pans as a swirl.
I love all of tour recipes!
chrystal
I am so glad. I answered your other question.
Best,
Chrystal
Colette
Oh! My goodness Chrystal ! I used the muffin option for this recipe and they are fantastic!
I haven’t had the best of luck baking with gluten free flour but these turned out perfect . In honour of Halloween , we added some orange food Coloring to our cream cheese frosting (LF cream cheese) yum !
chrystal
I am so glad you loved it. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Patrona Robinson
I'm writing this post again...is it possible to use cheesecake batter with the carrot cupcake as a swirl?
chrystal
Hi Patrona,
I received your question, I have a few that I'm working through so I hadn't gotten to it yet. I haven't tried a cheesecake swirl in this cake myself but I would imagine it would work.
Best,
Chrystal
Patrona Robinson
Thank you I'll let you know if it worked!
Laura Jo
Most of my gluten free recipes use xantham gum to help the ingredients come and stay together. Do you not use xantham and still get a good result?
chrystal
Hi Laura,
You can use xanthan gum in this recipe. Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 has xanthan, I an I use it often. You don't always need xanthan to bind ingredients if the recipe isn't high in fat (like pie crust, it needs xanthan). This cake has enough variation in ingredients that it's not needed to bind, but you can still add it for shelf life.
Best,
Chrystal
deran scherf
Hi, I was wondering is there any way I can reduce the amount of sugar, my son reacts if he has too much 🙂
chrystal
Hi Deran,
You can reduce the sugar to 1 1/4 cup for the cake and make a sugar free cream cheese frosting, or frost with fresh whipped cream.
Best,
Chrystal
Kai
If I only have one round cake pan would it be ok to bake separate? or should i figure out some other way, Also i love you recipes and I'm such a big fan!! Cant wait for new recipes!
chrystal
You can bake half and then bake the other half.
Best,
Chrystal
Cali
Made these as cupcakes and they were amazing! So light and fluffy, I can devour them without it feeling overly decadent. And they don’t taste gluten free at all- just normal sweet goodness. Thank you for this recipe!
chrystal
I'm so glad you liked them. Thank you for letting me know.
Best,
Chrystal
Kristy
Hello, I made this today and it tasted wonderful, but it was a little dry. Maybe because of the flour that used? Besides changing the flour, what else could I have done? Added a 1/2-1 cup applesauce? (I used Cup for Cup all purpose gf flour)
chrystal
Hi Kristy,
This cake usually isn't dry at all, quite the opposite. It's the Cup4Cup, it tends to absorb more liquid due to the cornstarch. I would use a different blend next time and spoon it into the measuring cup and then level it.
Best,
Chrystal
Alana Holmes
How many cupcakes does this recipe make?
Thanks!
chrystal
22-24 cupcakes.
Best,
Chrystal
Jennifer
Chrystal,
This cake was delicious! I accidentally forgot to add xanthan gum to my flour blend and it still came out wonderful. The texture and consistency didn’t even need it. My entire family loved it, even the non GF members. Thank you.
chrystal
I am so glad everyone loved it. Thank you for taking the time to stop back by and let me know.
Best,
Chrystal
lenora
I am so tired of trying gluten free cakes that when sliced you could break a window with a toss. Am hoping beyond hope that yours are as awesome as all the reviews are. Thank you.
chrystal
I completely understand. It's why I started baking my own cake recipes 😉 Let me know if you like my recipe 🙂
Taylor Moody
This recipe is so wonderful! My best friend is GF and we bake this cake together on a pretty regular basis as something fun to do and share it with our other non-GF friends and let me tell you, no one can tell this is a GF cake. I'd say it's the best carrot cake recipe I've made and it's now my go-to!
Delia
Hello - I was wondering if I could substitute coconut sugar for regular sugar? Thank you! Delia
chrystal
Hi Delia,
Yes, you can use coconut sugar in this recipe. Just note that it will change the color, flavor, and texture a little.
Best,
Chrystal
Maliha
I’ve made this recipe 4 times now as both cake and cupcakes and each time has been fail proof. I reduce the sugar to 1 cup and also add 1/2 tsp ginger powder. Comes out amazing!! I’ve also added tried with some pineapple chunks and it worked well - keep it minimal to avoid it getting soggy. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. Will be a staple in my recipe book.