Vegan carrot cake loaf – this is the best vegan carrot cake! Easy to make, moist, sweet and spicy with a zingy lemon glaze; this loaf cake is perfect for snacking on.
It seemed criminal that I hadn’t yet posted a recipe for vegan carrot cake as it is both one of mine and Damian’s favourite cakes. I tested and developed this recipe some time ago but hadn’t gotten round to photographing it; Easter seemed like the perfect time to bake another loaf and finally take some photos!
This is a really simple, but really moist and flavourful vegan carrot cake loaf. When I took it round to the in-laws for Easter Sunday it disappeared within minutes and everyone was lamenting that I hadn’t made a larger cake – you may want to double the recipe and bake two loaves!
The cake is moist, lightly spiced and has a wonderful soft but not too dense texture. I did initially want to top it with a vegan cream cheese frosting but all three of the supermarkets closest to me were out of vegan cream cheese that wasn’t garlic and herb flavour, so a simple lemon glaze had to do!
The lemon glaze is delicious however, and it works wonderfully with the lightly spiced flavour of the cake. It is also lovely plain too so feel free to top it as you wish (or not at all).
How To Make Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf:
(For ingredients and full instructions see the recipe card below)
*For the best results make sure that you follow the recipe closely. As always, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup conversions. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough for baking and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.*
Start by whisking together the wet ingredients – caster sugar, light brown soft sugar, sunflower oil, non-dairy milk, cider vinegar, vanilla extract and lemon (or orange) zest.
In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients – plain flour, wholemeal flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder and salt.
Tip the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk gently until no lumps of flour remain, be careful not to over-beat the batter however as that can make the cake tough.
Add the grated carrots, and if you are using any mix-ins such as nuts or raisins add them now too. Fold through until well combined.
Tip the batter into an approx 11.5 x 21.5 cm / 4.5 x 8.5 in loaf tin that you have greased and lined with a strip of baking parchment and spread it level. Bake for about an hour until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the tin for about 20 minutes then carefully lift it out using the strip of baking parchment and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before you add the glaze. The cake is delicate when warm so be careful moving it.
How Long Will This Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf Keep?:
This vegan carrot cake loaf will keep for around five days in an airtight container.
Can I Freeze It?:
Yes, any leftover slices of this cake will freeze well in an airtight container. Allow to defrost at room temperature.
Top Tips:
1.For the best results make sure that you follow the recipe closely. As always, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup conversions. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough for baking and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.
2. Use a standard sized grater for the carrots rather than a fine one for the best texture.
3. I like to use sunflower oil for baking as it has a very neutral flavour, but you can use another mild flavoured oil instead. Or you can use olive oil or melted coconut oil if you don’t mind the flavour coming through.
4. Mix a couple of handfuls of raisins or chopped walnuts into the batter along with the grated carrots.
5. Make sure that you allow the cake to cool completely before adding the glaze/frosting and slicing into it.
6. Top with a vegan cream cheese frosting instead of the lemon glaze.
7. Omit the glaze entirely for a less sweet cake that is great for breakfast or brunch.
More Classic Vegan Cakes:
- Vegan chocolate fudge cake
- Vegan Victoria sponge cake
- Vegan lemon drizzle cake
- Vegan courgette (zucchini) cake
- Vegan coconut layer cake
- Easy vegan ginger cake
- Vegan biscoff banana bread
- Easy vegan chocolate cake
- Vegan Christmas cake
- Vegan apple bundt cake
If you tried this recipe why not tag @domestic_gothess on Instagram and hashtag it #domesticgothess
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Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf
Ingredients
Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf:
- 150 g (3/4 cup + 1 Tbsp) light brown soft sugar
- 65 g (1/3 cup) caster (superfine) sugar
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) sunflower oil (or another mild flavoured oil)
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) unsweetened non-dairy milk (I used soy)
- 2 tsp cider or white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- finely grated zest of 1 lemon or orange
- 140 g (1 cup + 2 Tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 65 g (1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp) plain wholemeal flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 240 g (8.5 oz) grated carrot
Lemon Glaze:
- 175 g (1 1/2 cups) icing (powdered) sugar sifted
- 1 Tbsp unsweetened non-dairy yoghurt (optional)
- juice of 1/2 lemon (plus extra as needed)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Grease an approx 11.5 x 21.5 cm / 4.5 x 8.5 in loaf tin and line with a strip of baking parchment. Make sure that you leave some overhanging on either side so that you can lift the cake out easily.
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Whisk together the light brown soft sugar, caster sugar, oil, milk, vinegar, vanilla and lemon or orange zest in a large bowl.
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In a separate bowl, sift together the plain flour, wholemeal flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt.
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Tip the dry ingredients into the wet and whisk gently until no lumps of flour remain. Be careful not to over-beat the batter however as that can make the cake tough.
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Add the grated carrots and fold through until well combined.
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Pour the batter into the prepared tin, spread it level and bake for about an hour until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
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Let the cake cool in the tin for about 20 minutes then carefully lift it out using the strip of baking parchment and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
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To make the glaze, place the sifted icing sugar in a bowl and add the yoghurt (if using). Gradually stir in the lemon juice until it forms a thick but pourable glaze.
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Pour the glaze over the top of the cake and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container.
Recipe Notes
For the best results make sure that you follow the recipe closely. As always, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup conversions. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough for baking and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.
Ruth spivak
This is the best carrot loaf I have ever had, non-vegan included. I didn’t add the lemon glaze, as I found it sweet enough already. It came out perfectly with a crispy crust on the outside and moist cake inside. Keep up your great work! Regards from Canada. 🙂
Lisa
Delicious moist cake, I used orange zest in my cake and topped it with an orange glaze, all very easy to make .
Lucy
Hi, could I add banana to the carrot cake ? Because my favourite kind of cake is carrot and banana loaf! Thank you in advance for your advice! Kind Regards Lucy Allan xoxo
hannahhossack
Hi Lucy, I don’t think that would work as it is such a moist cake, adding banana would just make it wet. Your best bet would be to try making this banana bread: https://domesticgothess.com/blog/2018/04/02/vegan-chocolate-chip-banana-bread/ but omit the chocolate chips, reduce the amount of milk by a tablespoon or two and add a couple of medium sized grated carrots (125g total maybe) – pat them dry with kitchen roll first. You can add some extra spices if you like as well. Please note that I haven’t tested this so I can’t guarantee that it will work! Do let me know if you try it though!
Alissa Kaye
Could I use almond flour instead of the flours used in the carrot cake?
I’m trying to make it gluten free as well, the recipe sounds awesome and I’d love to try it..
hannahhossack
Hi Alissa, I think it would probably be too wet if you used all almond flour; I would try subbing the wholemeal flour with almond flour (so 65g) and the plain flour with a plain gluten-free flour blend (140g). Add 1/4 tsp xanthan gum if the flour blend doesn’t already include it. Please note that I haven’t tested this cake gluten free so can’t guarantee the results. Do let me know how it works out if you give it a try!
Michelle
Thank you – and oh my word, that is one delicious carrot cake. I added chopped walnuts to my batter and they held really well in the mixture…also used orange juice in the icing, Totally yummy.
Sarah
Hi
I just wanted to say thanks for your recipe! I needed to make a GF cake and had no eggs. I made this with GF self raising flour, and omitted the wholemeal flour, bicarb etc and it looks fab! Haven’t tasted it yet but going by the smell and how it look, it’s a winner!
Thanks again!
Niki
Make sure you check that your icing sugar does not contain dried egg whites alot of popular brands do which I have just learnt 🙂
hannahhossack
Hi Niki, In the UK generally only royal icing sugar contains egg white. Tate and Lyle and Whitworth’s icing sugars are totally vegan, Billington’s golden icing sugar and Silver Spoon icing sugar don’t contain egg but have possible cross contamination. (Also as far as I’m aware none of the UK sugar brands process using bone char). Obviously I can’t speak for what is available in other countries so yes, it is always best to check the packet just to be sure!
Sarah
Hi there!…. I’ve just tried the delicious carrot cake & it is absolutely gorgeous! ….I added SR flour & didn’t use the wholemeal flour… I also added raisins in with the carrots…I left it the stand for 15 minutes, & I am planning to ice it, although I couldn’t wait to taste & I wasn’t disappointed…..without the icing it is really nice….I’m lacto-vegetarian so this cake is ideal for me….thank you so much for the recipe…. & I can’t wait to try some of your other cake delights…..
Daz
I followed the recipe exactly, uses grams on a digital scale.
But when in the oven, the mixture flowed over the sides of the loaf tin, then the middle sunk.
This is the first time I’ve tried a vegan version. Usually my loaf cakes turn out ok.
I am using a new mini oven (not the very small ones), and I’m not sure if it’s heating to temperature correctly. So it could be this.
I have ordered an in oven thermometer. But in the meantime, do you have any hints or suggestions that may have gone wrong?
Flavour is good though.
hannahhossack
Hi Daz, sorry to hear that, it sounds like maybe your loaf tin was a bit smaller than mine as the mixture doesn’t quite rise all the way to the top of my tin (11.5 x 21.5 cm / 4.5 x 8.5 internal dimensions). The oven being at the wrong temperature is also a possibility. I’m glad that you enjoyed it regardless however!
Kathryn Robinson
Just tried this – brilliant result! Thanks
Julia
This was delicious! But the measures for the liquids was off. I followed exactly and it had the texture of a bread dough. So i added a lot more vegan milk to get the proper pre-baking texture. The flavor was lovely though! Will make it again, maybe add sime raisins and walnuts next time.
hannahhossack
Glad you enjoyed it! That’s odd though, I’ve made variations of this recipe loads of times and never had it turn out like bread dough before!
Krissë
Perfect quick and easy carrot loaf cake. Didn’t have wholemeal flour, as didn’t have any, and we’re in a lock down. Chucked in a handful of mixed dried fruit. Delicious, moist, spiced, and glorious. Definitely in my top five cake repertoire!
Katie
LOVE this. Turned out just as described and the whole family loved it
Vegan
I have tried (and failed) with many vegan carrot cake recipes, but this recipe turned out perfectly! Very moist, but not too dense. Very chuffed with the outcome 🙂 thank you!
Zoe
Tasted delicious , can’t tell it’s vegan . I also added nuts for some texture which was lovely , would 100% make this again . It didn’t raise as much as I liked it though but maybe I should’ve used self raising flour
Chloe
Absolutely amazing!! Made this for my family and we all loved it! I used entirely plain flour (swapping out the wholemeal) and added 1/4 cup oil and 2/4 cup soya milk and then added some walnuts and raisins. Would 100% recommend!!xx
Tilly
Brillant recipe, thank you so much! I love this with added chopped walnuts and raisins. Great texture, moist but not dense at all, and no bizzaire ingredients I have to go out to the shops for. Love giving this and your vegan choc traybake to my non-vegan friends and they both always go down such a treat. Thanks a lot!
Sandy
Delicious! Would make over and over again!
Rachael Cooper
This is delicious. So tasty it won’t last the weekend. The vegan cake recipe I’ve been looking for. Will be a regular bake for me. The Lemon glaze compliments the cake nicely
Natalie
This carrot cake is divine! Sooo good, followed the recipe exact and it was perfect.
Hannah, I’ve made quite a few of your recipes now, if I need to look up a recipe I always look to domestic gothess first, each one we’ve tried so far is spot on.
Thank you!
Raahat
Delicious recipe that I always come back. I’ve made it with and without the frosting and it’s lovely either way. Everyone who has tried the cake or the recipe have told me how much they love it. I also add a handful of raisins and walnuts. Thank you for such a fabulous vegan alternative!! Hoping to give your coffee walnut cake a go next. 🙂 x
Katherine
I absolutely loved this cake- easy, delicious, no weird ingredients and it stayed moist and yummy for days! Can’t wait to try more of your vegan baking recipes, thanks so much 🙂
Sophie
This recipe was super delicious!! I used coconut oil, oat milk and dark brown sugar instead of light (as it’s what I had in the cupboard/fridge and I wanted to use it up) and it was SO tasty!! So moist as well! You really can’t tell that it’s vegan!
My loaf cake didn’t rise as much as I had hoped it would. Do you have any tips for this? Should I swap the plain flour for SR next time or should I add more baking powder/bicarb?
Thanks again! Can’t wait to make it again and to try more of your recipes x