Holiday treats don’t have to have junkie ingredients to be delicious! This healthy carrot cake recipe works for paleo, primal, and GAPS diets and is both nourishing and delightful. It’s shared from the cookbook Nourishing Holiday.
Several years ago when my family undertook the GAPS diet to heal various issues like PANDAS and lyme disease, we were faced with a conundrum at the holidays: take a break from healing to eat foods that would end up making us feel sick or feel deprived while we watched friends and family eat foods we couldn’t have.
Thankfully, there was a third door, and behind it, the option to feel both satisfied and nourished: re-creating all of our favorite classic holiday recipes with GAPS-compliant ingredients. This led to the release of my holiday cookbook,Nourishing Holiday,which has become a reader favorite for recipes like dinner rolls, stuffing, brown butter turkey, and, of course, all the treats like gingerbread man cookies, coconut kefir cake, and this healthy carrot cake recipe.
Truthfully, holiday baking starts in October, when we make Mr. Incredible’s favorite treat for his birthday. You guessed it: carrot cake! Over the years, we’ve made every iteration: whole wheat carrot cake, gluten-free carrot cake, paleo carrot cake… but this GAPS-friendly carrot cake is by far our favorite, + the most healthy carrot cake recipe I’ve devised to date.
Is carrot cake the healthiest cake?
I mean, it has vegetables in it, so… yes? Truth be told, any recipe is as healthy as you make it. You can make carrot cake with gluten, sugar, and so forth, and it would not be very healthy at all.
In this case, we keep things grain- and sugar-free so that you can stick with your gut-healing protocol during the holidays and still enjoy cake.
Does carrot cake count as a serving of vegetables?
YES
Who am I to tell you no?
If you really want me to justify it, observe:
What vitamins are in carrot cake?
Well, for starters, carrots are high in beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant which is a pre-cursor for vitamin A, good for skin and eye health.
This particular healthy carrot cake recipe also has good fats, fiber, and a fair amount of protein.
For more healthy holiday recipes
If you’re excited to have your (grain-free) cake and eat it too, you’ll love the rest of the recipes inNourishing Holiday,my GAPS-, paleo-, and primal-friendly holiday cookbook. You’ll find recipes for staples like meat stock and cashew milk, as well as all the holiday favorites you’d expect from sides to the main event (the turkey), and of course, pies, cookies, and even warm drinks.
Grab the PDF version here (pssst… use code “THANKS” to get 30% off!), or grab the print version on Amazon here.
Without further ado… the Healthy Carrot Cake Recipe you’ve been waiting for!
GAPS Diet Carrot Cake
Prep Time30 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Keyword: GAPS Diet, Gluten-Free, Paleo, Primal
Ingredients
For cake:
- 6 eggs
- 1 cup shredded carrot
- 3/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 cup avocado oil
- 1/2 cup honey (may sub maple syrup if desired)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup walnuts, divided
- 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
For frosting:
- 1 cup cream cheese (homemade strained yogurt or kefir, store bought organic cream cheese, or dairy-free cream cheese options are all fine)
- 1 cup butter, softened but still cold
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
MAKE THE CAKE:
In a large bowl, combine coconut flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, and salt then stir.
In a separate bowl, mix eggs on high with a hand mixer until they become foamy. Add the honey, avocado oil, and vanilla then mix until combined.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix on high.
Fold in carrot, raisins and ½ cup walnut pieces.
Pour into cake pan and bake for 35-40 minutes, until browned on top and spongy.
ASSEMBLE THE CAKE:
Using a long, sharp knife, cut the cake in half horizontally to create two layers.
Use a frosting spatula to spread a generous layer of frosting on the bottom cake layer, then place the second layer on top of it.
Frost the rest of the cake then carefully press walnut pieces onto the side of the cake, all the way around.
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FAQs
The ingredients in carrot cake work together to promote cardiovascular health. Carrots contain potassium, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels, while walnuts often included in carrot cake recipes are a good source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
What is a substitute for carrots in carrot cake? ›
Baking (Carrot Cake)
For baking, try grated parsnips, rutabaga, or zucchini. If using zucchini, squeeze out some water. These alternatives are all featured in spice cakes similar to carrot cake, so they will produce a similar result.
Why does my homemade carrot cake fall in the middle? ›
This is because too much batter in one cake tin may result in the weight of the batter being too much for the cake to support, causing the cake to collapse and sink in the middle as it bakes. This is especially true for cake recipes which have a more softer, delicate structure to them, which many of my cake recipes do.
Is carrot cake healthier than other cake? ›
Carrot cake isn't really any less healthy than a white cake or a chocolate cake. Arguably, it's slightly more healthy because of the addition of carrots and sometimes pineapple. However, it does contain a cup of oil and two cups of sugar, and that's just in the cake.
What is the most unhealthy cake? ›
Unhealthiest: Carrot Cake
Carrot cake does contain healthy ingredients, such as carrots and nuts, but it is also loaded with fat and sugar. Depending on the size of the cake, your piece could be anywhere between 300-600 calories.
Why is carrot cake healthier than normal cake? ›
Carrot cake tends to have less sugar and salt, as well as seven times the beta-carotene. Whichever you choose, homemade with minimal sugar will be your best option – served in small portions.
Is white carrot cake healthier than black? ›
If you hunger for a plate of fragrant carrot cake or chye tau kueh, choose the plain white carrot cake (402 Calories) over the black, (556 Calories); it's just as delicious, but over 100 Calories lighter. Even better, share your carrot cake with a friend — and the calories saved will be even more!
What is the green stuff in carrot cake? ›
The green flecks are carrot but the colour has been changed by the bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) in the mixture. Some pigments are sensitive to pH balances and will change colour if they are in a very acid or very alkaline environment.
Is it better to make carrot cake with butter or oil? ›
Oil adds moisture (canola or vegetable oil will work) and unsalted butter adds a rich flavor. Don't substitute one for the other–we really need both here! Eggs.
Why did my carrots turn black in my carrot cake? ›
Carrots contain pigments that are sensitive to changes in pH balance. When the shreds of carrot come into contact with the alkaline baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place that causes the pigments to change color.
Carrot cake (also known as passion cake) is cake that contains carrots mixed into the batter.
What is the toothpick test on carrot cake? ›
The idea behind this test is you can insert a toothpick or paring knife into the center of the cake to see if the crumb has set. If the tester comes out clean, it's done. If it comes out gummy or with crumbs clinging to it, the cake needs more time in the oven.
How can you tell if a carrot cake is done? ›
Usually a cake has finished cooking when the edges of the cake pull away from the side of the tin. You should be able to see a gap between the cake and the tin. If your cake is bouncy/springy when you gently press down on it with your finger, it is likely that your cake is ready to be taken out of the oven.
Is angel food cake healthier than regular cake? ›
Angel food cake gets its lift from beaten egg whites. No egg yolks and no butter mean the cake contains no fat. And without the fat, the cake is also lower in calories than say pound cakes, cupcakes or ice cream. A homemade angel food cake isn't difficult to make and tastes far superior to most store-bought varieties.
Is angel food cake healthier than other cakes? ›
Angel Cake: Given its fat-free nature, angel cake tends to have fewer calories than many other traditional cakes. The primary source of its calories is sugar and the egg whites. It's a popular choice among those who are mindful of their fat intake or are seeking a slightly "lighter" dessert option.
Is cheesecake the healthiest cake? ›
The glycemic index of cheesecake is 34, while that of cake is 64. This means that unlike cake, cheesecake will not result in a significant rise in blood sugar levels. Protein, calcium, and vitamins A and D are nutrients found in cheesecake that are necessary for a healthy body.
What is the healthiest thing in a bakery? ›
Wholegrain & Wholemeal Breads
Since wholemeal bread is baked with whole or nearly whole wheat grains, it contains much more flavour and nutrition. Wholemeal is also a great source of carbohydrates, protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, as well as being low in fat.
