Delicious Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipe
Dear readers,
Are you in search of a delicious dessert that is both healthy and gluten-free? I am excited to share with you my recipe for a delectable steamed carrot cake that is free from gluten, dairy, and artificial ingredients.
Carrot cake is a classic dessert that many of us have grown to love. However, traditional recipes often contain gluten, refined sugar, and unhealthy fats. This gluten-free carrot cake recipe eliminates those concerns while still providing the same great taste and texture.
Making this carrot cake is simple, and it will undoubtedly become a household favorite once you taste it. The combination of freshly grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and warm spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon will fill your kitchen with a heavenly aroma.
No need to worry about dryness or a crumbly texture; the steaming process ensures this cake is perfectly moist and fluffy. You can also switch up the frosting to suit your preference; whether you prefer tangy cream cheese or sugar-free icing, the choice is yours.
Whether you are hosting a dinner party or want to treat yourself to something sweet, this steamed gluten-free carrot cake recipe offers an excellent alternative to the traditional version. Trust me; this easy-to-make carrot cake will be the perfect addition to your dessert repertoire.
Without further delay, let’s dive right into the ingredients list and start baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Do you have a sweet tooth but are always on the lookout for healthier dessert alternatives? Look no further than this Steamed Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipe.
There are so many reasons why you’ll love this cake, starting with its delicious and moist texture. The combination of carrot, pineapple, and walnuts creates a perfect balance of sweetness and crunch that will satisfy your taste buds without leaving you feeling guilty. Plus, it’s gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a great dessert option for those with dietary restrictions.
Not only is this cake delicious and healthy, but it’s also incredibly simple to make. No fancy equipment or elaborate techniques required – just an easy-to-follow recipe that will yield great results every time. It’s the perfect cake to whip up for a special occasion or simply to have on hand as a satisfying treat throughout the week.
And let’s not forget about the versatility of this recipe. If you’re vegan, keto, or low-carb, you can easily modify this recipe to fit your dietary needs by using substitutes like almond flour or sugar-free cream cheese frosting. You can even swap out the carrots for sweet potatoes to make a unique and equally delicious twist on this classic cake.
So, whether you’re craving something sweet or just want to try out a new healthy dessert recipe, this Steamed Gluten-Free Carrot Cake is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredient List
Let’s get started with the ingredient list, which is the backbone of any recipe. Here are the ingredients that you will require to make this mouthwatering steamed gluten-free carrot cake:
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon potato starch
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped walnuts or almond flour for decoration
We’ll also need ingredients for the tangy cream cheese frosting that we’ll spread on top of the steamed carrot cake. You can find the frosting recipe in section (9) FAQ.
Note: Make sure to check that all ingredients are gluten-free and dairy-free if you have any dietary restrictions.
The Recipe How-To
Now, let’s get to the most exciting part – making the Steamed Gluten-Free Carrot Cake! Follow these step-by-step instructions to create a delicious cake that will tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients
Before diving into the recipe, gather all ingredients in one place. You will need:
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups grated carrots
- 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup potato starch
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour or rice flour
- 3/4 cup vegetable or melted coconut oil
Step 1: Preparing the Batter
Firstly, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Then take a large bowl and whisk together the eggs, light brown sugar, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract until it’s perfectly mixed. Now add grated carrots, crushed pineapple, and vegetable or melted coconut oil, and mix it well again.
Step 2: A Blend of Spices
Now let’s add some flavor with spices. Add nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda to the bowl with a pinch of potato starch and cornstarch. Then mix everything until it forms an even blend with no lumps.
Step 3: Bringing it All Together
It’s time to add the special ingredient that sets this steamed gluten-free carrot cake apart from any other cake recipe—almond flour! Mix it well with rice flour or any gluten-free flour blend of your choice. Add this dry mixture in three equal parts to a big bowl and blend everything together carefully.
Step 4: Let’s Steam the Cake
Now place parchment paper in a 9-inch cake pan, allowing it to overhang by two inches on opposite sides. Grease the pan and pour the cake batter into it. Cover the top of the cake with one more piece of parchment paper and cover that with a piece of aluminum foil by crimping around the edges to seal tightly.
Once your oven is preheated, put your cake pan in a large 8-quart pot or Dutch oven with enough water to boil but not touch the cake pan’s bottom. Cover it with a lid and cook on low to medium heat for up to 1 hour and 45 minutes. Steam the cake until perfectly moist and fluffy.
Step 5: Decorating the Cake
When it’s done, carefully remove the cake from the pot, leaving it in the baking dish, and let it cool for an hour in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve your delicious creation, top it off with **tangy cream cheese
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. You can easily customize it to your liking, and I’m here to give you some ideas for substitutions and variations.
– For a vegan version, replace the eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseeds + 3 tbsp water = 1 egg), use vegan cream cheese frosting, and swap honey for sugar.
– For a keto-friendly cake, use almond flour instead of rice flour, replace sugar with your favorite keto sweetener, and top it with whipped cream or a sugar-free cream cheese frosting.
– If you’re looking for a low-carb option, use grated sweet potato instead of carrots and add chopped nuts and seeds to the batter.
– To make sugar-free carrot cake, use a sugar substitute like stevia or erythritol in the batter and frosting.
– Feel free to play around with the spices too. Add some ginger, cardamom, or allspice for a festive twist. Or swap cinnamon for pumpkin spice to make it more seasonal.
– You can also experiment with different types of nuts. Walnuts are classic, but pecans or almonds would be delicious too. Just chop them up finely so they distribute evenly throughout the batter.
No matter what variations you choose, rest assured that this cake will turn out moist, fluffy, and delicious every time. Go ahead and get creative!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you have prepared your steamed gluten-free carrot cake, the next step is deciding how to serve and enjoy it. This delicious cake makes for a perfect addition to any meal or snack time.
For a decadent dessert experience, consider serving your cake with a generous dollop of tangy cream cheese frosting, which compliments the flavors of the cake perfectly. The frosting adds an extra layer of creamy sweetness that’s sure to please any sweet tooth.
If you’re looking to make your serving experience even more luxurious, try topping your cake with a handful of crunchy walnuts. These nuts give an added texture that contrasts perfectly with the soft, moist fluffy center of the cake.
Feeling creative? Experiment with various pairings – this recipe goes well with fresh fruits like berries, pineapples or even apples. The carrots in the cake add a subtle sweetness that’s perfect for pairing up with tart or sour fruit.
If you’re making this carrot cake for a special occasion, consider baking two cakes and stacking them together for a double-layered treat. You can also slice them horizontally into layers and create a sweet potato cake by sandwiching in between the layers mashed sweet potatoes mixed with brown sugar and cinnamon.
This recipe is versatile enough to satisfy any dietary need including vegan, keto, low-carb or sugar-free; by modifying the ingredients accordingly. Regardless of how you choose to serve it, one thing is certain – this steamed gluten-free carrot cake recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Who doesn’t like it when they have their cake and get to eat it too? This steamed gluten-free carrot cake recipe is a perfect make-ahead dessert option! Simply bake the cake, and once it’s cooled down to room temperature, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container.
You can store this cake at room temperature for up to 2 days. However, if you want your carrot cake to stay fresher for a longer duration, you should store it in the refrigerator. You can store this cake in the fridge for up to 5 days, but I bet it won’t last that long!
If you want to keep your steamed gluten-free carrot cake fresh for even more extended periods, consider freezing it. Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before putting it into your freezer. You can pry out a slice or two whenever you crave some delicious gluten-free carrot cake.
When reheating your previously baked and stored gluten-free carrot cake from the fridge or freezer, I suggest using a microwave or an oven. If you are reheating from the refrigerator, let the chilled cake stand outside for about 20 minutes before reheating as this helps prevent it from getting soggy due to excessive moisture.
If re-heating from frozen status, thaw out first and then slice to portion size you would like to serve. Cover with foil and heat in pre-heated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 15-20 minutes.
Just imagine sinking your teeth into a slice of perfectly moist and fluffy steamed gluten-free carrot cake topped with tangy cream cheese frosting – one can never go wrong with this dessert!
Tips for Perfect Results
Creating a delicious gluten-free and dairy-free carrot cake can be challenging, but with the right tips and tricks, your cake can turn out perfectly moist and fluffy. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best possible results when making a steamed gluten-free carrot cake.
1. Measure Accurately
When making any recipe, it’s important to measure ingredients accurately, especially when working with gluten-free flours. Take extra care to level off your measuring cups or spoons to ensure that you’re using the exact amount of each ingredient called for in the recipe.
2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
Make sure all of your ingredients are at room temperature before starting to make the batter. This will help them blend together more easily and result in a smoother batter. Also, room temperature ingredients take less time to bake.
3. Steam Your Cake in a Water Bath
To achieve the perfect moist texture for your gluten-free carrot cake, try steaming it rather than baking it. A water bath helps create moist air around the cake while cooking it evenly.
4. Add Some Crunch
Adding chopped walnuts is one way of adding a slight crunch to your gluten-free carrot cake recipe. It not only adds texture and flavor but also goes well with cream cheese frosting.
5. Let It Cool Before Frosting
Allow your cooled cake in its pan or any chosen shape (for steaming) to come to room temperature before frosting it with tangy cream cheese frosting which would elevate its taste profile.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make a delicious and perfectly moist gluten-free and dairy-free carrot cake that’ll impress your friends and family!
Bottom Line
:
And that’s how you make a delicious and healthy steamed gluten-free carrot cake. By using wholesome organic ingredients and avoiding gluten and dairy, we can create a tasty treat that is both nourishing and satisfying.
Not only will this recipe satisfy your sweet tooth, but it also provides numerous health benefits. Carrots are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, while the walnuts offer heart-healthy unsaturated fats. And by steaming the cake instead of baking it, we can ensure that all the nutrients are preserved and not lost in the cooking process.
This recipe is versatile too! You can easily modify it to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions, whether it’s by adding more or less sugar or substituting some ingredients with vegan or sugar-free options.
So next time you’re craving some dessert, give this steamed gluten-free carrot cake recipe a try. Your taste buds (and your body) will thank you for it!
Steamed Gluten Free Carrot Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1/4 cup potato starch
- 2 tablespoons sweet rice flour or 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar or 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup oil
- 3/4 cup carrot, finely shredded
- 1/3 cup crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut
Instructions
- Grease and line a 8-inch cake pan or 1-1/2 quart casserole dish with parchment. Make sure it fits into your steamer or slow cooker.
- In a large bowl sift or whisk the first 7 dry ingredients until well combined. In a medium bowl mix the brown sugar and the next 7 wet ingredients until well combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until combined.
- Pour the batter into the pan or dish and place in the steamer. Add hot water to your steamer to reach at least an inch and place double layer of paper towels to fit pan and cover with towels hanging out to help catch excess steam from dripping on cake. Bring water to a boil and lower heat to medium low steam on stove for 45-50 minutes check with a toothpick in the center. It should be dry.
- In a slow cooker add about 1 cup of water to the bottom of slow cooker. Place you pan or dish in the bottom. Place a double layer of paper towel to hang over the top. Place lid on cooker and cook on high for 50-60 minutes Check with a toothpick .