When we think of Easter, isn't carrot cake always invited to the party? It's one of our dessert favorites for sure. Whenever someone brings carrot cake to the forefront, there's not many that will turn this classic cake down and there's good reason why.
This Carrot Cake is so moist and amazing, loaded with carrots like you would expect. It's iced with a vegan cream cheese frosting, topped with some crushed pistachios and some pretty piped carrot tops to make it look festive and delicious for Spring.
One of the best traits of this cake, is that you can do a lot of different add-ins. My favorite is adding in raisins and walnuts to the carrot cake. My husband doesn't want any part of raisins and walnuts on any level. He likes pecans. In fact, he wants pecans in every dessert, when I mention I'm putting nuts in any recipe.
Anyways, between raisins, pecans, pistachios, golden raisins, walnuts and coconut, whatever you want to add in, will be great and will taste very flavorful.
Cream cheese frosting is what goes best on carrot cake! Can we all agree on that? It's kind of tangy, creamy and and the perfect compliment. If you want the shortcut cream cheese frosting, just grab a tub of Duncan Hines or Pillsbury and frost this puppy up.
A lot of times I like to make my desserts by scratch, and buy frosting, so I don't get covered with frosting and eat it all in the process. Anyone else like that?
It's just nice to have these options, however when it's a special event, like Easter, I like to go all out and make the real thing. But you can bet, I'll have a back up can of frosting in the cupboard, just in case!
We love the one layer cakes. It's like the perfect slice of heaven. Here's another one layer cake, Easy Vegan Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache for the chocolate loyalists.
And for the kids, here's some amazing Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs to go along with your 25 Vegan Easter Brunch & Dessert Ideas.
This Vegan Carrot Cake is so moist and amazing, loaded with carrots like you would expect. It's iced with a vegan cream cheese frosting, topped with some crushed pistachios and some pretty piped carrot tops to make it look festive and delicious for Spring.
Vegan Carrot Cake1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons oil of choice (I used avocado oil)1/2 cup sugar (we used Zulka brand)½ cup brown sugar (we used Zulka brand)1 tablespoon maple syrup or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 flax eggs (For 2 flax eggs you need 2 tbsp ground flax seeds + 6 tbsp water, soaked)2 cups carrots (finely grated)½ teaspoon cinnamon1 1/4 cups flour1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda¼ teaspoon saltVegan Cream Cheese Frosting or 2 tubs of Duncan HInes or Pillsbury Frosting12 oz. vegan cream cheese1 to ½ cups confectioners sugar1 teaspoon orange or lemon juice (optional (could also use vanilla extract))1/4 cup pistachios, chopped (or walnuts, pecans)2 ziplock bags or pastry bagsorange and green food color gel (non-artificial)any add-ins you want to add in like raisins, coconut, yellow raisins, pecans, walnuts, pistachios
InstructionsSpray an 8 inch baking cake pan with non-stick cooking spray or grease with butter or oil and set aside. Line with parchment if desired, can also use a springform pan.Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Vegan Carrot CakePrepare the flax eggs by mixing 2 Tbsp Flaxseed Meal with 6 Tbsp Water and allowing to sit for a few minutes.Sift the flour, cinnamon, salt baking soda and baking powder in a bowl, set aside.In a large bowl, add the oil, maple syrup/vanilla and sugars and mix well using a whisk.Transfer flax egg mixture to the large bowl with the carrots and flour mixture. Using a rubber spatula, stir the mixture until thoroughly combinedStir in any add-ins, like raisins, coconut, nuts.Pour cake batter into greased baking pan, and level it out and bake for 25-40 minutes. Make sure cake is done, before removing by touching top to make sure it springs back or by using a toothpick method.Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool on a cooling rack for 10 min.Then remove the cake from the baking pan and let it cool completely before frosting.Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting or 2 tubs of Duncan HInes or Pillsbury FrostingUsing mixer, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar and juice until smooth and consistency is as desired. Take out ½ cup of frosting and use orange and green food coloring or gel for the carrot tops. (also can use 2 tubs of frosting, use one for top of cake and the other for making the carrots following the pastry bag instructions below.)Frost cake with frosting, except for the ½ cup reserved to make the cute little carrots.Using a ziplock or pastry bag, add the frosting in and snip tips of bags and pipe out carrot tops. The carrots should have a bigger hole snipped than the green carrot leaves.Pipe as many carrots as you want along border and add some chopped pistachios and you’re good to go!
Recipe slightly adapted from Carrot Cake & Carrot Cake
