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This Vegan Carrot Cake has sugar, spice, and everything nice! It's loaded with warm spices and has a tender-sweet crumb that will melt in your mouth.

If you haven't tried Vegan Carrot Cake yet, you're going to love this version! It's just as delicious as the original, and nobody will know the difference.
It is perfect for springtime or Easter, but also a winner for potlucks, parties, or any occasion throughout the year. It's a crowd-pleaser!
You can also store it in the freezer so you'll have it on hand when a sweet craving strikes. I always have a few slices of it in my freezer, along with my Vegan Vanilla Cake or Vegan Chocolate Cake.
Ingredients + Notes
Here are the ingredients you'll need to make the most delicious carrot cake you've ever had:

- Flour - Regular all-purpose flour is what I used.
- Carrots - Use fresh-grated carrots and not store-bought matchstick carrots. They are dry and won't add the needed moisture to the cake.
- Flax Egg - A combination of flaxseed meal and water will gel and thicken almost like a regular egg.
- Moisture - I used canola oil and applesauce, which creates a tender and moist crumb. Any neutral-flavored oil will work, such as sunflower, grapeseed, or avocado oil. If you don't have applesauce, you can use plain vegan yogurt (I prefer coconut yogurt).
- Vegan Buttermilk - I combined soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Soy milk curdles and thickens the best, but feel free to use any plant-based milk. You can also use lemon juice in place of the vinegar.
- Sugar - I used a blend of cane sugar and brown sugar. You can use just cane sugar or brown sugar if desired. However, the cake comes out moister with at least some brown sugar.
- Flavor - I used a combination of ground ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Don't skimp on the salt. This helps bring all the flavors together.
- Leavening Agents - I used a combination of baking soda and baking powder. I have not tried this cake with just one of them.
- Add-Ins - I used chopped walnuts, but you can omit them if you don't like them. You can also use a combination of walnuts and raisins. Just make sure to use the same ratio.
How to make Vegan Carrot Cake
It's easy to whip up this cake batter. Check out the easy step-by-step photos below.

- Combine the ground flax and water and let it sit for 10 minutes to thicken.
- Add the soy milk and apple cider vinegar to a mixing bowl. Combine and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Add the oil, applesauce, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flax egg, and vanilla to the bowl of buttermilk. Whisk to combine.

- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until almost combined.
- Now gently fold in the carrots and walnuts until combined.
- Divide batter between both pans and place in the oven for 35-40 minutes. To check for doneness, lightly press the surface. If it springs back, it is done.

Baking Success Tips
- I recommend using an oven thermometer. If your oven runs too cool/hot, it can yield undesired results.
- Measure all ingredients accurately and don't add more/less of any ingredient, or it can change the results.
- Let the cake completely cool before frosting, or it will melt. If you're adding toppings, add them right away after frosting so they stick well.
- Don't overbake or the cake will turn out dry. Check for doneness around the 35-minute mark.
- Don't overmix the batter, or too much gluten will develop. The texture will be off, and the cake may not rise well.
- Use room-temperature ingredients. The ingredients will bond together much more easily and yield a smooth batter. This will help maintain the proper structure while baking. If some ingredients are cold, leave them out while you preheat the oven and prep.
Which frosting is best?
I love topping it with my Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting, but you can use Vegan Buttercream Frosting or even Vegan Chocolate Frosting if you're feeling daring. You can also use store-bought vegan frosting or even leave it plain.
Ironically, it doesn't taste much like carrots at all. It has a very subtle carrot flavor, but the cake gets most of its flavor from brown sugar, vanilla, and warm spices. The carrots provide lots of moisture, which yields a cake consistency that is dense, ultra-moist, and tender. It will melt in your mouth!
Yes, it freezes well for 2-3 months, and thaws perfectly! You can freeze it in portions by wrapping each piece in wax paper and storing it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.

More vegan desserts to try
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think by leaving a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and sharing your feedback in the comment section below. It would make my day!
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Recipe
Vegan Carrot Cake
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup soy milk or any plant-based milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (sub lemon juice)
- 2 tablespoons ground flax meal + 5 tablespoons water
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar (sub with dark)
- ½ cup + 2 Tablespoons canola oil or any neutral flavored oil
- ½ cup applesauce
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
Additional Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups carrots , finely grated (not matchstick)
- 1 cup chopped walnuts + more for topping (*optional)
- 1 batch Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting (*see note)
Recommended Equipment
- 2 9-Inch Cake Pans
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Line the bottom of 2 8-inch Cake Pans with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides.
- Combine the ground flax and water in a small bowl. Set aside for 10 min. It will thicken and gel up a bit.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add the soy milk and apple cider vinegar. Combine and let it sit for 10 minutes to create vegan buttermilk. It will thicken and curdle slightly. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- In the medium bowl with the buttermilk, add the oil, applesauce, white and brown sugar, prepared flax egg, and vanilla. Whisk to combine well.
- Now slowly pour the wet ingredients into the larger bowl of dry ingredients. Whisk until almost combined. Now gently fold in the carrots and walnuts until combined.
- Divide batter between both pans and place in the oven for 35-45 minutes. To check for doneness, lightly press the surface - It should spring back without leaving an indent. You can also insert a toothpick in the middle - it should be clear of wet batter, but some dry crumbs are fine
- Let the cake cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before removing. Then let them cool on a rack completely before frosting. Frost and top decorate with chopped walnuts.
Notes
- Nutritional info doesn't include the frosting. That information is in that recipe card.
- Instead of Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting, you can try my Vegan Buttercream Frosting recipe.
- Measuring Flour - For accurate results, don't scoop the flour with a measuring cup directly from the flour container. Instead, aerate it first, then scoop the flour out of your container with a spoon and then into a measuring cup. Don't pack or tap the cup. After filling, lightly sweep a butter knife across the top to remove the excess flour.
- I do not recommend matchstick carrots for this recipe. Finely grated carrots provide moisture, and they soften better during baking.
- Make sure the baking powder and baking soda are not expired. Fresh leavening agents are important for a successful baking experience.
- You can also make this in two 9-inch cake pans. Bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Raisins are a nice addition too. Just decrease the walnuts to ½ cup and add ½ cup of raisins. You can also just swap out the walnuts for raisins or omit the add-ins altogether.
Sydney
Do you think this could be made in a bundt pan?
Melissa Huggins
Hi Sydney, I haven't given it a try yet. I think it should work, but would have to test it.
Vanessa
Very good! First time in a long time I’ve had success. Made this with her suggested vegan cream cheese frosting. Added pecans instead of walnuts since it’s all I had. Toasted some sliced almonds while oven was on for last 6 minutes and plant to sprinkle those on icing. Wondering if I could make this with whole wheat flour. Did not have baking soda so just doubled the baking powder and it worked.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Vanessa, I'm so happy this was a success for you! Sounds perfect with the pecans and sliced almonds. I haven't tried this with whole wheat flour yet. I think trying 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 regular all-purpose would be a good start for experimenting. 🙂
Kaitlyn Serafin
I made this for dessert tonight. It's my go-to, double-layer carrot cake recipe. I like the walnut-raisin combination. I typically edge the frosted cake with chopped walnuts. Tonight I added coconut flakes too. Such yummy goodness.
Melissa Huggins
Hey Kaitlyn, I am so happy to hear this. And it does sound yummy with coconut flakes- I might try that too.
Jennifer Haber
Fabulous!!!!! My significant other said it was best carrot cake he ever had!
Melissa Huggins
Thank you for the great feedback Jennifer! I am glad you both loved this recipe. 🙂 Happy weekend.
Linda
This looks great. Can it be cooked in a Bundt tin?
Melissa Huggins
Hi Linda, yes, it should work, but you may need to adjust the baking time. Also, you might need to use less batter, depending on the size of the pan. I hope this helps. 🙂
Linda
I have cooked it in the Bundt tin twice now for about 40 minutes. Great recipe!
Melissa Huggins
Yay, I'm so glad it turned out well! Thank you for sharing your feedback. Have a great weekend. 🙂
Cheryl Burgess
I made this for a potluck lunch at the school I work in. It was gone so fast, that I almost didn't get a slice! Rave reviews from all the staff.
Melissa Huggins
Thank you for taking the time to leave this awesome feedback, Cheryl. I am so happy that everyone loved it, and that you were able to sample it too. lol. 🙂
Kay
Hi Melissa, GF versian would be nice.
Melissa Huggins
I will have to experiment. 🙂
mary
Wow this looks so good. I love the flavorings - going to give it a go - just what we need 🙂
Lisa
Cake and frosting came out perfect, and I'm not one that has a lot of cake success. Absolutely delicious!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Lisa, Thank you for giving it a try! I'm so glad you liked it! 🙂
Sóley
I Made this for my 16th birthday and everybody loved it! My father who isn’t even vegan said that this was the BEST Carrot Cake he had ever eaten!
Melissa Huggins
Yay! So glad everyone liked it! Thank you for giving it a try. Happy belated birthday! 🙂
Laurel Suslo
I made this for Easter brunch. This is hands down the best carrot cake I have ever had!! Amazing! I will be making this cake on a regular basis!!
Melissa Huggins
Hi Laurel, This is the greatest compliment! Thank you for giving the cake a try. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
Iris Urena
This cake knocked it out of the park at our Easter lunch!! My friends kept saying how delicious it was. There were no left overs. I am also going to make this for my birthday, I am looking forward to having it again! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Iris, I'm so happy that everyone loved it! Thank you for making it and sharing your feedback. Happy Early Birthday! 🙂
mark
Made this carrot cake yesterday and the cake looks and tastes great. The cake was soft and perfectly balanced with carrot and hint of spice (I added a half tsp of ground ginger). Good tip about using finely grated carrots too. Made it as a single layer in a 9x13” this time because of the number of slices I needed. Everyone loved it and I reckon this will be my go to vegan carrot cake recipe. Thanks Melissa!
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Mark! We are so happy to hear that you loved the recipe and that it was a crowd pleaser! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Connie Fisher Newhan
Has anyone tried it with gluten free flour?
Melissa Huggins
Hi Connie, I haven't tried this recipe with GF flour yet. I wish I could be more help.
Graciela Torres
This looks beautiful! I'm gathering ingredients to make this on Friday as a treat for the fam. Thanks for the awesome recipe!