Best 4 Deliciously Healthy Carrot Cake Recipes

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Carrot cake is a moist and flavorful cake made with grated carrots, spices, and nuts. It is often served with a cream cheese frosting. This article provides two recipes for carrot cake: a classic recipe and a healthier version made with whole wheat flour and less sugar. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in a delicious and satisfying cake.

The classic carrot cake recipe uses all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, eggs, oil, carrots, and walnuts. The healthier version of the cake uses whole wheat flour, less sugar, and applesauce instead of oil. Both recipes are topped with a cream cheese frosting made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

Whether you are looking for a classic carrot cake recipe or a healthier alternative, this article has you covered. Both recipes are easy to follow and result in a delicious and moist cake that is perfect for any occasion.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

HEALTHY CARROT CAKE



Healthy Carrot Cake image

The best healthy carrot cake recipe with pineapple, whole wheat flour, and skinny cream cheese frosting made with Greek yogurt! So Moist!

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 25

1 2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg (at room temperature)
2 large egg whites (at room temperature)
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar (lightly packed)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups grated carrots ((about 3 large or 4 small/medium))
1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
2/3 cup buttermilk (at room temperature)
1/2 cup walnuts (or pecans, toasted and roughly chopped )
1/4 cup raisins, (golden raisins, or dried cranberries (optional))
3 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
toasted chopped pecans (or walnuts)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 10-inch springform pan with nonstick spray.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl, beat together the egg, egg whites, brown sugar, canola oil, and vanilla extract on medium speed until well combined. Add the grated carrots and beat for 1 minute. Add the pineapple and shredded coconut and beat just until incorporated.
  • With a wooden spoon, stir in half of the flour mixture, just until the flour almost disappears. Stir in the buttermilk. Add the remaining flour mixture, continuing to stir in by hand, just until combined. Gently fold in the walnuts and raisins.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. (Check at the 30-minute mark-if the edges of the cake are browning too quickly, tent with foil, then return to the oven to finish baking.) Remove the cake from the oven and let cool completely in the pan. Run a dull knife, such as a butter knife, along the edge of the cake to loosen, then unmold it. Carefully transfer the cake to a serving plate.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat together the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, butter, vanilla extract, almond extract (if using), and salt at medium speed for 2 minutes, until fluffy and well combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the powdered sugar, increasing the speed to medium as you go. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes until well combined.
  • Spread the frosting evenly over top of the cooled cake. Sprinkle with toasted nuts and serve.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 10), Calories 460 kcal, Carbohydrate 71 g, Protein 9 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 30 mg, Fiber 4 g, Sugar 45 g

HEALTHIER CARROT CAKE III



Healthier Carrot Cake III image

We made it with a little less oil and a little less sugar, so this carrot cake recipe is now healthier but still sure to be a favorite.

Provided by MakeItHealthy

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Carrot Cake Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 18

Number Of Ingredients 16

4 eggs
¾ cup vegetable oil
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots
1 cup chopped pecans
¼ cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package Neufchatel cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped pecans

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch pan.
  • Beat together eggs, oil, white sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
  • To make frosting: Combine butter, Neufchatel cheese, confectioner's sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Spread frosting over completely cooled cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 399.5 calories, Carbohydrate 42 g, Cholesterol 57.6 mg, Fat 24.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 5.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.8 g, Sodium 354.9 mg, Sugar 31.4 g

MOIST CARROT CAKE



Moist Carrot Cake image

This cake was made and brought to me at work. It is the moistest carrot cake I have ever had. Decorate with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Provided by KORIBEAR

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Sheet Cake Recipes

Time 1h20m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 eggs
1 ½ cups vegetable oil
2 cups white sugar
2 ¾ cups shredded carrots
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
¾ cup chopped walnuts
1 cup flaked coconut

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, and eggs. Beat in flour mixture. Stir in shredded carrots, crushed pineapple, chopped nuts and flaked coconut. Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 568.5 calories, Carbohydrate 59.4 g, Cholesterol 62 mg, Fat 35.7 g, Fiber 2.8 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 6.9 g, Sodium 470.2 mg, Sugar 39.8 g

BEST CARROT CAKE EVER



Best Carrot Cake Ever image

A moist and flavorful recipe that makes a large quantity of cake. I have been hounded to make this cake time and time again.

Provided by Nan

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Spice Cake Recipes

Time 2h30m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 13

6 cups grated carrots
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup raisins
4 eggs
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped walnuts

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, combine grated carrots and brown sugar. Set aside for 60 minutes, then stir in raisins.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 10 inch cake pans.
  • In a large bowl, beat eggs until light. Gradually beat in the white sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir into the wet mixture until absorbed. Finally stir in the carrot mixture and the walnuts. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
  • Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. When completely cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 457.4 calories, Carbohydrate 66.3 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 20.2 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 5.9 g, SaturatedFat 2.7 g, Sodium 315.2 mg, Sugar 42.8 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality carrots. This will give your carrot cake the best flavor and texture.
  • Grate the carrots finely. This will help them distribute evenly throughout the cake and prevent them from becoming too chunky.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can make the cake tough.
  • Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This will ensure that the cake is cooked through.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. This will help the frosting set properly and prevent it from melting.
  • Use a cream cheese frosting. This is the classic frosting for carrot cake, and it's delicious and easy to make.
  • Decorate the cake with chopped walnuts, pecans, or raisins. This will add a nice touch of flavor and texture.

Conclusion:

Carrot cake is a delicious and versatile cake that can be enjoyed year-round. It's perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any other special occasion. With so many different variations to choose from, there's sure to be a carrot cake recipe that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a tasty and healthy dessert, give carrot cake a try. You won't be disappointed.

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