Description
A nutritious twist on the traditional carrot cake using whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners, perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour or almond flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup maple syrup, honey, or stevia
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or raisins (optional)
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 3–4 medium carrots)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened (optional frosting)
- 2 tbsp unsweetened applesauce (frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (frosting)
- Sweetener to taste (frosting)
- A splash of lemon juice (frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour or line a 9-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs, applesauce, sweetener, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir until just combined.
- Gently fold in the grated carrots, and if desired, the chopped walnuts or raisins.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40–45 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For optional frosting, beat together the cream cheese, applesauce, vanilla, and desired sweetener until smooth. Add a splash of lemon juice for flavor.
- Once cooled, frost the cake and serve.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days; can be frozen for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: carrot cake, healthy dessert, whole wheat cake, low sugar dessert