Best 5 Deliciously Healthy Carrot Cake Recipes

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In the realm of delectable and nutritious treats, carrot cake stands as a true culinary masterpiece, harmoniously blending the sweetness of carrots with a symphony of flavors and textures. While its reputation for indulgence often overshadows its healthfulness, a cleverly crafted carrot cake can be a delightful symphony of taste and nourishment. This guide will unveil the secrets to creating a carrot cake that tantalizes the taste buds while simultaneously nourishing the body with wholesome ingredients, transforming it into a guilt-free indulgence that celebrates both flavor and well-being.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

HEALTHY CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING



HEALTHY CARROT CAKE WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING image

Time 1h50m

Number Of Ingredients 17

450g (16 oz.) carrots peeled and grated
100g (3 1/2 oz.) butter melted
2 cups blanched almond meal
1 cup walnuts chopped
1/4 cup rice malt syrup (or maple syrup/honey)
3 eggs
2 tsp. 100% vanilla extract
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
250g (9 oz.) cream cheese
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
1/2 lemon (juice and rind)
2 tbs. coconut milk (canned)
1 tbs. xylitol or natural sweetener of choice
1 tsp. 100% vanilla extract

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a 20 cm springform cake tin with baking paper. In a large bowl combine the carrots, almond meal, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder and salt. Add the butter, syrup, eggs and vanilla, stir really well until combined. Transfer the cake batter into the prepared tin and place into the oven for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until cooked through. Take out of the oven and allow to cool completely before releasing the springform and turning out the cake. Meanwhile, make the frosting! Place all the ingredients into your blender or food processor and whiz until smooth. Once the cake is completely cool, spread the frosting on top of the cake, sprinkle with extra walnuts and lemon rind! Cut slices and NOM NOM NOM!

HEALTHY CARROT CAKE RECIPE



Healthy Carrot Cake Recipe image

Provided by Patricia Adams

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 cups cashews (preferably soaked for a few hours then drained. This is not entirely necessary but if the cashews aren't soaked you'll need to add more water).
⅓ cup maple syrup
2 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon coconut oil
Water (as required)
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 cup almond meal
1 cup hazelnut meal
1 cup dates
½ cup dried apricots
½ teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)
¼ cup shredded coconut
¼ cup dried pineapple
¼ cup sultanas or raisins
½ teaspoon orange zest
Dried fruits and nuts of your choice. Or shredded/flaked coconut.

Steps:

  • Step 1 - Place cashews into your high power blender (or food processor).
  • Step 2 - Blend on high speed until a paste-like cashew cream begins to form. You'll need to scrape the sides of the blender a few times to get the mixture to form.
  • Step 3 - Add the maple syrup, lemon juice and coconut oil. Blend until the cashews become creamier. Add water gradually and as little as possible. You want the cream frosting to loosen and become smooth and silky but you don't wan to dilute the flavors with water. How much water you need will vary (and will also depend on whether you pre-soaked your cashews).
  • Step 1 - Place the diced carrots, almond meal, hazelnut meal, dates, dried apricots, and cinnamon into your food processor. Blitz until very well combine and forms a soft paste.
  • Step 2 - Add coconut, dried pineapple, sultanas/raisins, and orange zest to the mixture in the food processor. Blitz very briefly until just combined. You want these ingredients to be less processed so that there's some texture variance in the finished cake (ie, you want some different sized "bits" in your cake).
  • Use either two mini spring-form pans or a small spring-form pan.
  • Step 1 - Press a layer of carrot cake mixture into the base of your pan. It should approx 2.5cm (1 inch) thick.
  • Step 2 - Add a layer of cashew cream frosting.
  • Step 3 Optional: Sprinkle dried fruits and nuts on the cashew cream frosting layer. I used a tropical fruit mix I had in the cupboard for the cakes in the photo. It added a lovely color, texture and even more flavor. Shredded or flaked coconut would also work well.
  • Step 4 - Add another layer of carrot cake mixture onto of the cashew cream frosting (same thickness as your base layer). Smooth top of cake so it's even.
  • Step 5 - For best results refrigerate for a few hours (or overnight). Place plastic wrap or a plate over the top of the cake to prevent it drying out in the fridge. If you're not refrigerating, move straight onto Step 6.
  • Step 6 - Remove the cakes carefully from spring-form pans. The cakes will still be malleable so handle them gently.
  • Step 7 - Top cakes with cashew cream frosting and decorate as you like.
  • Step 8 - Slice with a sharp knife that's been heated under hot running water. This makes cutting the cake easier. Enjoy!

HEALTHIER CARROT CAKE III



Healthier Carrot Cake III image

We made it with a little less oil and a little less sugar, so this carrot cake recipe is now healthier but still sure to be a favorite.

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Carrot Cake Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
¼ cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
  • Beat together eggs, oil, white sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
  • To make frosting: Combine butter, Neufchatel cheese, confectioner's sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Spread frosting over completely cooled cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.5 calories, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 57.6 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 354.9 mg, Sugar 31.4 g

DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY CARROT CAKE



Deliciously Healthy Carrot Cake image

Healthy alternative to a delicious carrot cake! Moist and full of flavor... Best of all, it's good for you!

Provided by TORI4

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Apple Dessert Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

cooking spray
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ cups plain yogurt
1 ½ cups carrot pulp from juiced carrots
1 cup skim milk
1 cup maple syrup
½ cup apple pulp from juiced apple
½ cup chopped pitted dates
1 egg

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
  • Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Add yogurt, carrot pulp, milk, maple syrup, apple pulp, dates, and egg. Mix with a wooden spoon until batter is blended and thick.
  • Spread batter in the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195.7 calories, Carbohydrate 42.5 g, Cholesterol 17.7 mg, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 3.6 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 533.7 mg, Sugar 24 g

HEART HEALTHY CARROT CAKE



Heart Healthy Carrot Cake image

EXTRA moist carrot. very dense mixture does not raise much but is absoultly FAB. I prepare in mini loafs and sharing with friend(I am the only one in the house who like Carrot cake)but everyone else is gradually trying this recipe and liking it. I omit the raisins and nuts and does great(if you ever wonder. Cuts very easily due to its denseness. Unfrosted "bars" Great for breakfast, no crumbs travels well in the car for on the go mornings.

Provided by h jones

Categories     Breakfast

Time 50m

Yield 15 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
6 egg whites (best if room temp)
1 1/3 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, undrained
2 cups shredded carrots
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup raisins

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 13" X 9" baking pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the flours, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and cloves, set aside.
  • In another large bowl, beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Slowly beat in the sugar. Then slowly beat in the applesauce, buttermilk and vanilla.
  • Using a spoon, stir in the flour mixture just until combined. Then stir in, one ingredient at a time, the crushed pineapple, carrots, walnuts and raisins.
  • Spread mixture in prepared pan. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  • Cool completely. Frost with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 209.8, Fat 3.9, SaturatedFat 0.4, Cholesterol 0.3, Sodium 210.4, Carbohydrate 41, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 24.2, Protein 4.9

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will ensure that your carrot cake is moist, flavorful, and delicious.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough and dense.
  • Bake the cake in a preheated oven. This will help to ensure that the cake rises evenly.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • Be creative with your frosting. You can use a variety of different frostings, such as cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, or maple frosting.

Conclusion:

Carrot cake is a delicious and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to potlucks to holiday gatherings. With a few simple tips, you can make a carrot cake that will be the star of the show. So next time you're looking for a sweet treat, give carrot cake a try. You won't be disappointed.

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