Grandma’s Best Dairy-Free Carrot Cake
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
I adapted this recipe from one of my Grandma's favorites. Grandma’s original version used a simple sugary glaze rather than frosting, but for a more festive touch, I frosted the cake with a dairy-free “cream cheese” frosting. Please note that the Prep time is hands on time only - allow 1 hour for soaking the carrots.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 to 20 servings
Ingredients
  • 6 cups grated carrots
  • 1 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped raisins
  • 4 eggs (see notes in the post for egg-free suggestions)
  • 1½ cups white sugar
  • 1 cup vegetable or grapeseed oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (see notes above on my gluten-free recipe)
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
  1. Combine the grated carrots and brown sugar in a medium bowl and set aside for an hour. After the two have had some good mingling time, stir in the raisins.
  2. Preheat your oven to 350ºF, and grease and flour two 10-inch cake pans, three 8-inch cake pans, or two 8-inch cake pans +8 cupcake tins.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and briefly set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, and gradually beat in the white sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple. Stir the flour mix into the wet mixture, being careful not to over mix. Gently fold in the carrot mixture and nuts.
  4. Pour the batter evenly into your prepared pans. Bake as follows: 10-inch pans – 40-50 minutes, 8-inch pans – 30-35 minutes, Cupcakes – 20-22 minutes, or for all, until the cakes are springy to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  5. Place the pans on a wire rack to cool for 10-20 minutes before removing them from the pan.
  6. Once the cake is completely cool, then you can frost it or drizzle with icing.
Recipe by Go Dairy Free at https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/grandma-dairy-free-carrot-cake