Carrot Cake and Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting

Guest Contributed Post

---

gluten free - vegan - egg free - kid friendly
​

This recipe relies on unsweetened applesauce and almond milk to provide the classic moist texture of traditional carrot cake in a vegan form.
​

Ingredients: 

Carrot Cake
2 1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose flour (I use Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 tablespoons egg replacer
2 cups light brown or coconut sugar
1 cup avocado or grapeseed oil
1 cup almond milk
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
3/4 pound carrots, finely grated (about 3 cups)
1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
1 cup seedless raisins

Frosting
12 tablespoons vegan butter
1 1/2 pound Daiya or soy cream cheese, cold
1 1/2 cup corn-free powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease three (9-inch) round cake pans; set aside.
• For the cake, put flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and egg replacer into a mixing bowl and whisk together to blend.
• Put sugar in a separate large mixing bowl and whisk in oil, almond milk and applesauce. When fully combined, add almond milk mixture to flour mixture and mix just until smooth. Stir in carrots, walnuts and raisins, then divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25 minutes, or until the center springs back gently when pressed. Remove from oven and transfer to racks to let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting. Beat margarine in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3 minutes. Add cream cheese in pieces and mix until thoroughly blended. Slowly add sugar and vanilla and mix until blended. Increase mixer speed slightly and continue mixing for 2 to 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
• Place a cake layer, bottom side up, on a cake plate or pedestal. Spoon one-quarter of the frosting onto the top and spread it evenly. Place a second cake layer, bottom side down, on top of the first, and spread with an equal amount of frosting. Place the final cake layer, bottom side down, on top of the others and frost the top and sides with remaining frosting. Cover and chill until ready to serve or set aside to let set for 30 minutes, then cut into slices and serve.