Moist Egg-free Carrot Cake
When I shared my banana walnut cake, I had NO idea just how widely popular it would become. And so I knew I had to make another variation. There were a ton of requests for an eggless cake option, and as it is almost Easter, I brought you this moist egg-free carrot cake with walnuts! As with all of my baked goods, this cake is really easy to make, and it’s the perfect treat for Easter or any time of the year! You can top with my healthy, velvety cream cheese frosting, but the cake really can stand on its own. Be sure to bookmark this recipe to enjoy as an easy make-ahead breakfast, snack, or dessert. It can also be a perfect birthday cake – Hello smash cake! And if you don’t like baking, try these 5 ingredient carrot balls that taste like raw carrot cake :). Lastly, if you are looking for an egg-free breakfast option, try these fluffy eggless pancakes! You can totally ad grated carrots to the batter too!
Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
White whole wheat flour – it’s the same nutritionally as whole wheat flour but is lighter in texture and a little sweeter in flavor. Plain yogurt – will make the cake moist while boosting protein and healthy fat. Unsweetened applesauce – adds moisture, flavor, and natural sweetness. You can use store-bought or homemade applesauce – so easy to make! Carrots – I am all for convenience but do NOT use pre-grated carrots from the store. They will be too thick and dry. Grab about 4-5 fresh carrots and shred at home. Maple syrup – can also use honey or date syrup or leave out completely. Be sure to read the “tips for success” section Salt- just a pinch of salt helps bring out the flavor of all the ingredients and enhance the sweetness. Walnuts – be sure to finely chop or ground if planning to enjoy with your baby. I like to use a coffee grinder for this. Cream cheese frosting – optional and honestly I don’t think this cake needs it. BUT if you want the true classic carrot cake experience, you’re going to love this EASY and healthy cream cheese frosting recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Substitutions and Add-ins
Dairy-free? Use any non-dairy milk and yogurt of choice Alternative to white whole wheat flour? I highly encourage you to grab a bag especially if you bake a lot. As you may have noticed, I love baking with this flour as it’s just as nutritious as whole wheat flour but not as dense. You can replace with all purpose flour or use 1 cup AP flour and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour. Alternative to walnuts? pecans will be the second best choice! If nut-free, try adding sunflower seeds. I do recommend adding something crunchy to complement the moist cake. I’ve provided a range for the maple syrup amount so you can decide how sweet you want the cake to be. You can also leave it out completely if intending to frost or add date syrup, a great alternative to added sugars. Feel free to fold in some raisins and/or unsweetened shredded coconut.
Top Tips for Success
For best results, take all the cold ingredients (like eggs, yogurt, and maple syrup) out of the refrigerator at least 15 minutes prior to baking. Carrots – squeeze out as much excess water as possible, and be sure to measure out the grated carrots so you have exactly 1 1/2 cups. Too much carrots can make the cake overly moist and soggy. If you prefer a more bread-y carrot cake, add just 1 cup. Use a spoon to scoop the flour into the measuring cup rather than scooping the flour out of the container or bag with your measuring cup. Using the latter method, you could end up with a lot more than what you need. Do NOT over-mix the batter after combining the dry and wet ingredients. Mix lightly with a spatula until just combined. Otherwise, you will end up with a dense cake. Cool completely before frosting. Then refrigerate for 30 minutes to help the frosting set, giving you a cleaner slice.
Make Ahead Suggestions
Prepare the cake, cool completely, cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator. When ready to enjoy, bring to room temperature, frost (or not).
Storage Suggestion
Transfer any leftover cake to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze: I recommend not frosting the slices you intend to freeze. Place cooled slices in a single layer on a baking tray and place in the freezer. Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
More Carrot Recipes
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