The Ultimate Gluten-Free Carrot Cake
The Wet Ingredients:
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¾ cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 cup neutral oil (canola, vegetable, or melted coconut oil)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 cups finely grated carrots (about 4–5 medium carrots)
• ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained—this is the secret to moisture!)
The Dry Ingredients:
• 2 cups Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Blend (look for one with Xanthan Gum included, like King Arthur Measure for Measure or Cup4Cup)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
The “Mix-ins” (Optional)
• ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• ¼ cup raisins
Instructions:
1. Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour (using GF flour) two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 baking dish.
2. Whisk the Bases: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and both sugars until smooth. Slowly stream in the oil and vanilla while whisking.
3. Combine Dry: In a separate medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
4. Fold it Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring until just combined. Fold in the grated carrots, drained pineapple, and any nuts or raisins.
5. Bake: Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans.
• Round pans: Bake for 30–35 minutes.
• 9×13 pan: Bake for 40–45 minutes.
• Test with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool: Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
The Cream Cheese Frosting:
Note: Do not skip the salt in the frosting; it cuts through the sweetness of the sugar!
• 8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
• 3 cups Powdered Sugar
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• Pinch of salt
Pro-Tip for Gluten-Free Baking
GF flours need a little extra time to hydrate. If you have the patience, let the batter sit in the pans for about 15 minutes before putting them in the oven. This prevents a “gritty” texture.









