Recipe for Carrot Cake that kids love!
I've used this easy recipe for carrot cake since I first moved out of home. It's yummy, gluten-free, feeds everyone with extra healthy upgrades, and best of all is super-easy!
If you want a healthy recipe for carrot cake that is also gluten-free, this one will help you get that good old-fashioned flavour while helping you with your gut health and fibre.
I've upgraded it in a way that feeds my family and they can't see the difference!
One of the things many parents struggle with when it comes to kids and nutrition is that kids don't want to eat anything healthy.
This cake makes it easier to get something in that is healthy, but I've found another option which means my children can get healthy (and yummy!) fruit and veg chews for FREE when I purchase the adult equivalent. Find out more here!
Ingredients:
This yummy recipe for carrot cake is made from mostly everyday pantry items...optional healthy upgrades below.
- 1 1/2 cups grated raw carrot
- 3/4 cup Raw sugar (I usually swap out half with a squirt of maple syrup)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Gluten free plain flour
- 1/2 tsp Mixed spice
- 1 tsp bicarb soda
- pinch of salt
Optional healthy upgrades:
I always have these sorts of things in my pantry now and add them to lots of different recipes to boost the fibre intake (especially for gluten free) and the health of our whole family!
- 1/3 cup Psyllium husk (available from most supermarkets in plain form)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (a healthy hit of fibre and nutrition)
Method:
Put all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix lightly together.
In my house, this is the bit where the kids usually run up and join in, creating that wonderful space for learning, developmental understanding and connection between parent and child.
(Even if sometimes it results in emotional overwhelm for me!)
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Combine the eggs and oil together and mix. This is a great time to add the grated carrot as it disperses evenly.
Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix together until well combined.
Note: This can be easily mixed in a food processor in about 1 minute blitzing or less. Again, this recipe for carrot cake makes it so super-easy for mamas!
Line a normal round cake pan with baking paper as this cake will possibly stick to the pan. If you're anything like me, you can't stand this and will do anything to stop it!
Cook on 180 degrees Celsius for 30-45 mins, then let cool in pan for 10 minutes before turning out onto a cake rack.
Let the cake cool for awhile before icing with Cream cheese icing!
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Cream Cheese Icing:
Icing is optional, and this cake is yummy without it. However, if you're anything like me you just might not be able to resist cream cheese icing...
- 60g cream cheese
- 30g butter
- 1 1/2 cups icing sugar
- Grated lemon zest
Mix all the ingredients together and ice the top of the cold cake.
Serve and enjoy-and get ready to make another as this one will go fast if you have children!
I hope you like this healthy recipe for carrot cake!
Do you want to get access to more healthy recipes and upgrade your nutrition and fibre intake?
Join me in the Mama Vitality and Recipes group on Facebook to get my weekly recipes and ideas for upgrading your normal fare to a bit healthier in a completely achievable way!
