The Best Vegan Carrot Cake Recipe: (Perfect for Any Occasion)

Carrot cake isn’t just for Easter, friends—it’s the dessert that deserves a permanent spot in your baking rotation. But if you’re vegan (or just looking to reduce the eggs and dairy in your diet), making the perfect carrot cake can seem like a challenge. No worries, though! I’ve got the ultimate vegan carrot cake recipe that’s not only moist, but also fluffy, and loaded with flavor.

Trust me, once you try this vegan carrot cake, you’ll never go back to your old recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, spiced, and absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

But let’s be real: a bad carrot cake is dry, crumbly, and just sad. This one is everything you want: moist, soft, and light with a beautiful balance of flavors. Plus, the cream cheese frosting? Heavenly. So, let’s dive in, shall we?

What You’ll Need to Make Vegan Carrot Cake

Before we get into the step-by-step, let’s talk about the ingredients you’ll need for this vegan carrot cake. I’ve kept things simple, but there are a few ingredients that might be new to you if you’re not used to baking without eggs and dairy.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Carrots (duh!) – Fresh, shredded carrots are the star of this show. They provide natural sweetness and moisture.
• Flour – I use a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour to make it hearty and a bit healthier, but feel free to use gluten-free flour if needed.
• Sugar – Regular granulated sugar works just fine, but you can substitute coconut sugar or maple sugar for a less refined option.
• Baking powder & baking soda – To get that perfect rise and fluffiness.
• Cinnamon & nutmeg – These spices give the cake that warm, cozy vibe that’s absolutely essential for carrot cake.
• Applesauce – This acts as a binding agent and replaces eggs. Plus, it adds moisture.
• Vegetable oil – You need some fat for texture. If you’re feeling fancy, you could even use coconut oil.
• Vegan-friendly cream cheese – For the frosting, of course. I’ve found a few great options on Amazon (I’ll drop those links below!).
• Powdered sugar – For that smooth, sweet frosting texture.

If you’re not sure where to get these ingredients, I’ve got you covered. You can find the best vegan baking essentials on Amazon—check out my list of must-haves below!

How to Make Vegan Carrot Cake: A Step-By-Step Guide

Now that you’ve gathered everything, let’s make some cake!

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or two if you’re feeling extra). If you want a super easy clean-up, use parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together your applesauce, sugar, and vegetable oil. If you’re using coconut oil, make sure it’s melted but not too hot. You want everything to combine smoothly.

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, mix together your flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir until just combined—don’t overmix, or your cake might get a little tough.

Step 4: Add the Carrots and Optional Add-ins

Fold in your shredded carrots. You can also add a handful of raisins or walnuts for some extra texture, but that’s totally optional.

Step 5: Bake It!

Pour your batter into your prepared pan(s) and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. If you’re using two pans, reduce the baking time slightly—check at around 25 minutes.

Step 6: Let It Cool

This is the hardest part—waiting. But trust me, it’ll be worth it. Let your cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

While the cake is cooling, whip up that dreamy vegan cream cheese frosting! Beat together your vegan cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. If you want it a little fluffier, you can add a tablespoon of plant-based butter or a splash of vanilla extract.

Step 8: Frost Your Cake

Once your cake is fully cooled, frost it generously with the cream cheese frosting. You can go all out with swirls and decorative toppings like shredded coconut or chopped nuts

My Favorite Vegan Baking Tools (Amazon Affiliate Links)

Making a vegan carrot cake is simple, but having the right tools can make your life a whole lot easier. Here are a few items I highly recommend:

Shredded Carrot Tool: For perfectly shredded carrots without the mess, this box grater is my go-to. Grab one here!

Cake Pan Set: I use this set of non-stick cake pans from Amazon. They’re durable and make cleanup a breeze! Check it out here!

Stand Mixer: If you’re serious about baking, a stand mixer is a game-changer. I love this KitchenAid stand mixer for whipping up cake batter and frosting. Find it here!

Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just looking for a sweet treat to brighten your day, this vegan carrot cake is sure to impress. It’s got the perfect texture, flavor, and frosting that will have everyone asking for seconds. And the best part? It’s so easy to make!

So, get your apron on, grab your ingredients, and get baking! And don’t forget to check out my Amazon links for all the baking essentials you’ll need.

Happy baking, and let me know how it turns out in the comments below! 😄

Affiliate Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!