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    Home » Recipes » Cakes and Cupcakes

    Healthy Carrot Cake with Oat Flour

    Published: Feb 2, 2021 · Modified: Oct 30, 2022 by Crystal Yentzen · This post may contain affiliate links · 16 Comments

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    Healthy Carrot Cake with Oat Flour
    Healthy Carrot Cake

    The BEST healthy carrot cake with oat flour- so delicious and nourishing! This gluten-free cake is made with oats and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, loaded with carrots and pecans, and topped with a light yogurt/cream cheese frosting. Try this cake and be amazed!

    Healthy Carrot cake with oat flour

    Here is a carrot cake to feel good about eating and serving your loved ones. It's loved by kids and adults alike, and they never guess that it's made with oat flour instead of refined flour and sweetened with maple syrup instead of refined sugar. It's also packed with carrots, pecans, applesauce, and just a touch of coconut oil to keep it extra moist. Plus, it's so easy to make!

    This is sure to be your favorite carrot cake recipe!

    Let's talk ingredients!

    Healthy Carrot Cake with Oat Flour Ingredients

    Ingredients for healthy carrot cake with oat flour
    • Oat Flour- Oat flour is sold in stores, but it's also super easy to make at home. Simply blend old-fashioned oats in a high-speed blender until the oats become a fine powder (about 30 seconds to a minute). Store your oat flour in an air-tight container for up to three months. 
    • Tapioca Flour- Tapioca flour keeps this cake light and airy. I use this brand, and it’s pretty easy to find.
    • Baking Powder and Baking Soda- To help the cake rise.
    • Salt- Don't forget the salt. It helps to bring out the other flavors of the cake.
    • Spices- You have to have a little spice in a carrot cake. This recipe calls for cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg. Feel free to add more or omit any one of the spices as desired.
    • Stevia- Stevia is completely optional but it does add additional sweetness to the cake without adding extra calories.
    • Applesauce- Unsweetened applesauce adds additional moisture to the cake without all the fat.
    • Eggs- You need two large eggs for this recipe or flax eggs for vegan.
    • Maple Syrup- Maple syrup is wonderful in this recipe! You can sub honey or agave syrup if you choose.
    • Coconut Oil- Feel free to substitute a different vegetable oil such as canola.
    • Vanilla Extract- Pure vanilla extract is best, but imitation works as well.
    • Carrots- You can grate your carrots by hand or use a food processer, or even a high speed blender such as a Vitamix works.
    • Pecans- Chopped pecans are optional, but you won't regret it.

    How to make healthy carrot cake

    carrot cake batter

    To make this delicious and healthy cake, follow these instructions:

    • Prep oven and pan. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper and and spray with oil.
    • Mix dry Ingredients. Whisk together the oat flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and stevia in a large bowl. Set aside.
    • Mix wet ingredients. Whisk together the applesauce, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract in a medium size bowl until well combined.
    • Mix wet with dry. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix together with a large spoon until thoroughly incorporated. Fold in the carrots and pecans.
    • Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Test the cake with a toothpick and if it comes out (mostly) clean then the cake is done.
    • Cool and frost. Allow the cake to cool completely in it's pan on a wire rack before removing to frost with icing if desired.
    Pictured is a slice of healthy carrot cake made with oat flour on a white plate.

    Frosting Ideas

    We frosted this cake with a light cream cheese frosting that's so easy to make! You will need:

    • 8 ounces light cream cheese
    • ½ cup Greek Yogurt (be sure it's thick like Fage brand)
    • ¼ cup maple syrup
    • optional ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • optional ¾ teaspoon of stevia. I use the Sweetleaf brand in the shaker bottle. If you go with a different brand, add enough stevia to equal about 2 tablespoons worth of sugar, or to taste.

    To make this healthy frosting, simply mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy. Taste and add a bit more maple syrup, stevia, or confectioners' sugar if desired. Note that too much maple syrup will make your frosting thinner. Frost your cooled cake immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.

    Other topping ideas:

    • A drizzle of maple syrup or honey
    • Chocolate sauce
    • A dusting of confectioners sugar
    • Try it warm with a scoop of light ice cream or frozen yogurt

    Any way you top it, it's delicious!

    A bite of healthy carrot cake on a fork.

    Tips/Storage

    • Aluminum cake pans work best for baking cakes. Aluminum heats up quickly and evenly, ensuring that your cakes come out perfectly every time.
    • Line your cake pans with parchment and grease the pan and the parchment paper. Parchment paper rounds guarantee the cakes won’t stick.
    • Use freshly grated carrots for the best results.
    • Store your cake covered at room temperature for up to a day or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
    • This unfrosted cake freezes well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before decorating/serving.

    Want more healthy desserts?

    Check out these recipes:

    Peanut Butter Protein Cookies

    Skinny Red Velvet Cupcakes

    Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal Cookies

    Light Vegan Cookie Dough Bites

    Healthy Peach Muffins with Oat Flour

    5 Best Oat Flour Cake Recipes

    Please let me know how you like the healthy carrot cake with oat flour in the comments! I love to hear from you, and your star ratings encourage others to give the recipe a try.

    Enjoy!

    Crystal

    healthy carrot cake
    Print Recipe
    4.85 from 19 votes

    Healthy Carrot Cake with Oat Flour

    The BEST healthy carrot cake with oat flour- so delicious and nourishing! This gluten-free cake is made with oats and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, loaded with carrots and pecans, and topped with a light yogurt/cream cheese frosting. Try this cake and be amazed!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time45 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Carrot, Easy, Oat flour
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 243kcal
    Author: Crystal Yentzen

    Ingredients

    • 1 and ½ cups oat flour* see notes
    • ¼ cup tapioca flour
    • 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 and ½ teaspoons cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ¾ teaspoon stevia* optional, see notes
    • ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
    • 2 large eggs beaten
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup melted coconut oil
    • ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
    • 1 and ½ cups grated carrots
    • ½ cup chopped pecans
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper, and spray with oil.
    • Whisk together the oat flour, tapioca flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and stevia in a large bowl. Set aside.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the applesauce, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract until well combined.
    • Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix together with a large spoon until thoroughly incorporated. Fold in the carrots and pecans.
    • Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Test the cake with a toothpick, and if it comes out (mostly) clean, then the cake is done.
    • Allow the cake to cool completely in its pan on a wire rack before removing to frost with icing if desired.
    • To make the light yogurt/cream cheese frosting, mix 8 ounces of light cream cheese, ½ cup Greek Yogurt (be sure it's thick like Fage brand),¼ cup maple syrup, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and optional ¾ teaspoon stevia in a large bowl with a hand mixer or a stand mixer until light and fluffy. Taste and add a bit more maple syrup, stevia, or confectioners' sugar if desired. Note that too much maple syrup will make your frosting thinner. Frost your cooled cake immediately or refrigerate until ready to use. *see blog post for other topping ideas.

    Notes

    1. Oat Flour- Oat flour is sold in stores, but it's also super easy to make at home. Simply blend old-fashioned oats in a high-speed blender until the oats become a fine powder (about 30 seconds to a minute). Store your oat flour in an air-tight container for up to three months. 
    2. Tapioca Flour- Tapioca flour keeps this cake light and airy. I use this brand, and it’s pretty easy to find.
    3. Stevia- Stevia is entirely optional, but it does add additional sweetness to the cake without extra calories. I use the Sweetleaf brand in the shaker bottle. If you go with a different brand, add enough stevia to equal about two tablespoons worth of sugar or to taste. I use the same amount of stevia in the optional frosting. 
    4. Nutrition is based on the cake without the optional frosting. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 211mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 3264IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg

    More Cakes and Cupcakes

    • Chocolate Oat Flour Cake
    • The Best Protein Cupcakes (Healthy)
    • The Best Healthy Red Velvet Cupcakes
    • Healthy Lemon Cake

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anaiah says

      August 13, 2021 at 3:36 pm

      5 stars
      I love carrot cake and this healthier one turned out amazing and still tasted so flavorful! Definitely making this more often. It was perfect!

      Reply
      • Crystal Yentzen says

        August 13, 2021 at 4:53 pm

        Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Kayla says

      August 14, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! This carrot cake was so delicious! I couldn't even tell it was healthy, it was just so good!

      Reply
    3. Marinela says

      August 14, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      5 stars
      How fluffy and moist this carrot cake is! So healthy and delicious with a unique flavor! Gorgeous!

      Reply
    4. Joshua says

      August 17, 2021 at 9:29 am

      5 stars
      Wow, this gluten free carrot cake did not disappoint! I'm happy to have found a healthy version of my favorite cake!

      Reply
    5. Chrissaysnature says

      August 23, 2021 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely amazing carrot cake recipe! Saving this recipe for fall!

      Reply
    6. Lucy says

      August 23, 2021 at 7:03 pm

      5 stars
      I love how healthy the ingredients are in this without compromising on taste or texture. Carrot cake is my favourite and this is so moist and delicious. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Crystal Yentzen says

        August 23, 2021 at 8:18 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    7. Mallory says

      March 05, 2022 at 11:10 pm

      5 stars
      Love this! Such a great recipe. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Crystal Yentzen says

        March 06, 2022 at 5:45 pm

        You are welcome!

        Reply
    8. Andrea says

      March 06, 2022 at 4:24 am

      5 stars
      this carrot cake is the best! i've loved it since i was a kid and this one hit home for me!

      Reply
    9. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

      March 06, 2022 at 6:48 pm

      5 stars
      Carrot cake is one of my favourite desserts and this healthier version looks absolutely wonderful! Delicious 🙂

      Reply
    10. Bianca says

      March 07, 2022 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      Wow this carrot cake turned out amazing! The whole family loved it

      Reply
      • Crystal Yentzen says

        March 07, 2022 at 3:54 pm

        That's so wonderful!

        Reply
    11. Dina says

      October 12, 2022 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      can i get this recipe in grams?

      Reply
      • Crystal Yentzen says

        October 12, 2022 at 4:48 pm

        Hi Dina! I've updated the recipe to include grams. Simply click on the Metric tab at the bottom of the ingredient list. I'm so happy you like the recipe, and please let me know if you have any other questions.

        Crystal

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Crystal! Welcome to Dessert Done Light, where I share healthy dessert, snack, and breakfast recipes. If you're looking for a healthy treat, you're in the right place!

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