This Paleo Carrot Cake with almond flour is moist, fluffy and perfectly spiced! This homemade grain free cake is a showstopper. It is filled with healthy ingredients and warm flavors but tastes rich and indulgent!

Paleo carrot cake on a white cakestand.

I make this carrot cake every Easter (and several times throughout the year) and it is always a huge hit!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Paleo Carrot cake is absolutely stunning! Here is why I make it for many occasions:

  • This cake is extremely moist and fluffy.
  • A serving of vegetables in cake? Yes please!
  • Carrot cake is great for so many different occasions. Birthday parties, Easter and rainy days are some of my favorites!
  • For a version with gluten free flour, try this Gluten Free Carrot Cake.
  • The carrots add a great moist texture and nutritional benefits.
  • This cake is equally stunning and delicious.
  • Almond flour is a great Paleo flour to bake with. Check out these Almond Flour Oatmeal Cookies!
  • The Vegan vanilla frosting is smooth, creamy and tasty.
  • This cake is Paleo, grain free, gluten free, and naturally sweetened.
Carrot cake ingredients in small bowls.

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut a circle of parchment paper and line the bottoms of three 6 inch cake pans.

A cake pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 2

Next, sift together all dry cake ingredients.

A bowl with dry ingredients.

Step 3

Once sifted, add in all wet cake ingredients except grated carrots. Stir to combine.

Cake batter in a mixing bowl

Step 4

Fold in grated carrots. Be sure to squeeze out all excess liquid from grated carrots before folding in.

A mixing bowl with Paleo carrot cake batter.

Step 5

Divide cake batter evenly between cake pans.

Three cake pans with carrot cake.

Step 6

Bake for 30 to 33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from oven to cool completely.

Baked carrot cake in a cake pan.

Step 7

Once cooled completely, make frosting. Add frosting ingredients to a stand mixer. Then, whip until fluffy.

A mixer with vanilla frosting on it.

Step 8

Finally, assemble cake. Add layer of frosting between each cake layer and on top. Frost sides of cake. Serve Paleo carrot cake!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I make Vegan vanilla frosting?

See my Vegan vanilla frosting recipe for more helpful tips and tricks!

Do you peel carrots for carrot cake?

Peeling carrots for carrot cake is not necessary. I never peel the carrots before grating. Doing so will not change the outcome of this batter so feel free!

What makes this carrot cake Paleo?

This carrot cake is Paleo because it is grain free, gluten free, and naturally sweetened. For a dairy free option, substitute coconut oil or ghee for the butter.

How do I store carrot cake?

Store leftover carrot cake in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days.

What flavors go well with carrot cake? Can I add in nuts or raisins?

Fresh fruit (pineapple and banana) go well with carrot cake. This cake is made without nuts and raisins. If desired, add nuts and raisins to batter before baking.

A slice of Paleo carrot cake.

Baking with Grain Free Flours

This Paleo carrot cake is made with almond flour, tapioca flour and coconut flour. Here is a little breakdown of these grain free flours:

Almond flour is a flour made from ground up almonds. It is light in density and adds a slight nutty flavor to baked goods.

Tapioca flour (or arrowroot starch) is the Paleo version of cornstarch. In this case, it adds the perfect texture to this cake.

Coconut flour is an extremely dense and absorbent grain free flour. In addition, this flour is best used in small quantities. This gluten free carrot cake with coconut flour is moist and fluffy!

A slice of almond flour carrot cake.

Homemade Frosting

Carrot cake is commonly frosted with a cream cheese frosting. Since cream cheese is not Paleo, that can be tricky.

The frosting on this cake leans more towards vanilla than cream cheese. If looking for a Paleo cream cheese frosting, swap the coconut milk for dairy free cream cheese. You may need to add a little more maple syrup for added sweetness.

The reason I chose a vanilla frosting over a Paleo cream cheese icing is because this cake is the star! This cake is perfectly spiced. The Paleo carrot cake icing is simple and straightforward to not detract from the cake.

Expert Tips & Tricks

Squeeze out all moisture from grated carrots. To do this, place grated carrots on paper towels. Wring out all liquid. Then, add grated carrots to cake batter.

Line bottoms of cake pans with parchment paper. This makes removing cake from pans super easy.

This recipe calls for three 6 inch cake pans.

I have not tried this recipe with 8 inch or 9 inch cake pans, but I imagine it would only make two layers and each layer would take slightly less time to bake. The layers would be much thinner.

To test doneness, insert toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, remove cake layers from oven.

Only frost cake once it is completely cooled. Frosting a warm cake will yield runny frosting.

Feel free to frost this cake with your favorite frosting! The one written here is more vanilla flavored rather than the classic cream cheese frosting.

How to Serve & Store

Serve Paleo carrot cake once completely cooled and frosted. It goes well with a tall glass of almond milk, mug of coffee, or even hot chocolate!

Garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If making ahead of time, make cake layers and refrigerate. Then, whip up frosting just before serving cake.

You May Also Like

If you make this Paleo carrot cake recipe, I would love to see it! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, check out these Paleo Recipes.

Paleo carrot cake on a white cakestand.
At a Glance:
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Get the Recipe: Paleo Carrot Cake

This Paleo Carrot Cake is so moist and fluffy! The cake has warm spices and the homemade frosting is creamy. This grain free carrot cake is great for any occasion!
4.98 from 43 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe

Ingredients

8 servings

Carrot Cake

Vegan Vanilla Frosting

Instructions 

  • First, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line three 6 inch cake pans with parchment paper.
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift all dry ingredients.
  • Once combined, add in all wet ingredients except grated carrots. (Note: squeeze out excess liquid from grated carrots).
  • Next, fold in grated carrots. Be sure to squeeze out all excess moisture from grated carrots.
  • Pour batter equally into lined cake pans.
  • Then, bake for 30 to 33 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove cakes from oven and cool completely.
  • Once cakes have completely cooled, make frosting.
  • Add hardened parts of coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla extract to a stand mixer. Whip for 1 to 2 minutes or until fluffy.
  • To assemble: place one layer of cake on stand. Add frosting on top. Place a second layer of cake on top. Then, frost that cake. Finally, add top layer. Spread remaining frosting all over cake.

Notes

  • Squeeze out all excess liquid from grated carrots.
  • See photos above for how to line cake pans with parchment paper.
  • Bake until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  • Frost cake once it has cooled completely.
  • See my Vegan vanilla frosting recipe for tips and tricks!
  • This cake can be made in two 8 inch cake pans.  Follow the same exact recipe, but bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
Calories: 506kcal, Carbohydrates: 37g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 37g, Saturated Fat: 20g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 83mg, Sodium: 225mg, Potassium: 427mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 5508IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 152mg, Iron: 5mg
Author: Addison LaBonte
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Love this Paleo carrot cake? You can sign up here to receive healthy meal plans and new recipes!