Sugar Free Carrot Cake

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too? Our sugar-free carrot cake recipe is the perfect guilt-free indulgence for any occasion!

Moist, delicious, and packed with wholesome goodness, this cake will have your taste buds dancing with joy. So go ahead, treat yourself to a slice (or two!) and enjoy a little sweetness without the sugar rush!

this recipe

Carrot cake is a classic dessert that can be enjoyed on any occasion. However, regular carrot cake recipes are usually loaded with sugar and carbs, making it a no-go for people following a low-carb or sugar-free lifestyle.

Luckily, there are plenty of options for making a low carb carrot cake that's both delicious and healthy. Using ingredients like almond flour, and sweetener, you can make a keto or low-carb carrot cake that's still moist and flavorful.

Why you'll love this sugar free carrot cake recipe

• Perfect for a low carb keto lifestyle: This recipe is low in carbohydrates, making it a great choice for those following a keto or low carb diet.
• No added sugar: This carrot cake recipe is sugar-free, which means it's a healthier alternative to traditional carrot cakes that are loaded with sugar.
• Diabetic-friendly: As this recipe is low in carbohydrates and has no added sugar, it's a great option for those with diabetes or those looking to manage their blood sugar levels.
• Delicious and satisfying: Despite being low in carbs and sugar-free, this carrot cake recipe is still delicious and satisfying. It's made with ingredients like almond flour, shredded carrots, and cinnamon, which make it moist, flavorful, and satisfying.
• Easy to make: This recipe is easy to make and doesn't require any special equipment. All you need is a mixing bowl, a spatula, and a loaf pan, and you're good to go!

Other sugar free cake recipes you might enjoy

• Low Carb Strawberry Pound Cake
• Ginger Bread Cake
• The Lemoniest Low Carb Cake
• Blueberry Cheesecake Delight
• No Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Main ingredients used for this recipe

Carrots are the star of the show but we use several warm spices, almond flour and sweetener to make this carrot cake sugar free and diabetic friendly. To make this cake even more indulgent, you can top it off with cream cheese frosting made with low-carb or keto-friendly ingredients.

• Almond Flour: making this an almond flour carrot cake, gives it a slightly nutty flavor plus its low carb and gluten free.
• Carrots: would this even be a carrot cake without grated carrots?
• Brown Sweetener: we used a brown sweetener in this recipe to keep it sugar free.
• Warm Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves were used to give it that warm carrot cake flavor.
• Toasted Pecan: a classic but optional ingredient for a carrot cake.
• Sour Cream: my secret ingredient to make this sugar free carrot cake super moist and scrumptious.

See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

Steps to make sugar free carrot cake

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 325°F.

Toast ¾ cups of chopped pecans in a skillet over low/medium heat until fragrant and slightly browned.

Then let's start by mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl. You will want to whisk together all the dry ingredients except the brown sweetener.

• 2 cups almond flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Once they are all whisked together set them aside.

STEP 2: now let's mix together the wet ingredients in a large bowl, you can use a whisk for this or a mixer as I used.

Combine together the following ingredients in this order:

• 3 large eggs with the softened ⅓ cup of unsalted butter.
• ½ cup brown sweetener
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sour cream

STEP 3: Using a rubber spatula fold in the dry ingredients until fully combined and then fold in the 1 cup of grated carrots and the ½ cup of toasted chopped pecans.

You can use fewer carrots if you are concerned about extra carbs. The nuts are also optional.

Mix with the rubber spatula until all ingredients are fully combined.

• STEP 4: grease and line a 9" x 5" loaf pan and then transfer the carrot cake batter into the pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula.
• Bake at 325°F for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to completely cool before removing from the loaf pan.

STEP 5: While the cake is in the oven, make the sugar free cream cheese frosting recipe.

In a medium-sized bowl mix together the following:

• 4oz cream cheese
• ¼ cup powdered sweetener
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Once the cake has completely cooled remove it from the loaf pan and spread the cream cheese frosting on the top with a rubber spatula or cake knife.

Dot the top with the remaining ¼ cup of toasted chopped pecans, if using. Press the pecans into the cream cheese so they stay in place.

Is carrot cake enjoyed during Easter?

Yes, carrot cake is often enjoyed in March and April during Easter. Carrots are a common vegetable associated with Easter, as they symbolize new life and growth.

Additionally, carrot cake is a popular dessert choice for Easter brunch or dinner, as it is a festive and delicious way to incorporate springtime vegetables into a sweet treat.

Many families have their own traditional recipes for carrot cake that they enjoy during the holiday season.

Recipe tips

Here are tips to make a really good sugar-free carrot cake:

1. Use freshly grated carrots: One of the most important ingredients in carrot cake is, of course, the carrots. To ensure that your sugar-free carrot cake is moist and flavorful, it's best to use freshly grated carrots.
2. Avoid using pre-shredded carrots, as they tend to be dry and may not give the cake the same texture and flavor. Grate the carrots using the finest side of a box grater or a food processor.
3. Add plenty of spices: To give your sugar-free carrot cake a warm and comforting flavor, it's important to add plenty of spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger are classic spices used in carrot cake, but you can also experiment with other flavors like cardamom, or allspice.
4. Adding spices not only enhances the flavor of the cake but also helps to balance the sweetness of the sugar substitute.

By following these tips, you can make a really good sugar free keto carrot cake that's moist, flavorful, and healthy. Just be sure to use high-quality ingredients and follow the recipe closely, and you're sure to have a delicious dessert that everyone will love.

Storage

To store a sugar-free carrot cake, follow these simple steps:

1. Allow the cake to cool completely: Before storing the cake, make sure it has cooled completely to room temperature. If the cake is still warm, it can create condensation inside the container and cause the cake to become soggy.
2. Wrap the cake in plastic wrap: Once the cake has cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. Be sure to cover the entire cake, including the top and sides.
3. Store in an airtight container: Place the wrapped cake in an airtight container, such as a plastic container with a lid or a cake carrier. This will help to prevent air from getting in and keep the cake fresh for longer.
4. Store in the refrigerator: Sugar-free carrot cake contains ingredients like cream cheese or yogurt, which can spoil if left at room temperature for too long. For this reason, it's best to store the cake in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days.

By following these steps, you can store your sugar-free carrot cake loaf and keep it fresh for several days. Just be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.

Recipe variations

Here are three sugar-free carrot cake variations you can try:

1. Carrot Cake Muffins: Instead of making a traditional cake, try making sugar-free carrot cake muffins. You can use the same recipe as the cake but bake the batter in a muffin tin instead. This is a great option for portion control and on-the-go snacking.
2. Paleo Carrot Cake: If you're following a paleo diet, you can still enjoy carrot cake by making a paleo-friendly version. Substitute almond flour or coconut flour for wheat flour, use coconut sugar or a sugar substitute for sweetener, and use coconut oil or ghee instead of butter. You can also add unsweetened shredded coconut or chopped nuts to add texture and flavor.
3. Carrot Cake Overnight Oats: For a healthy and easy breakfast option, try making carrot cake overnight oats. Simply mix together oats, grated carrots, almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a sugar substitute in a jar or container, and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, top with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or fresh fruit for added flavor and texture.

By trying these sugar-free carrot cake variations, you can enjoy the classic flavor of carrot cake in new and interesting ways while still maintaining a healthy and sugar-free diet.

Using coconut flour instead of almond flour for this sugar free carrot cake recipe

When swapping almond flour with coconut flour in keto recipes, there are a few rules to follow:

1. Use less coconut flour: Coconut flour is more absorbent than almond flour, which means that it requires more liquid to create the same consistency as almond flour. As a general rule, you should use about ¼ to ⅓ cup of coconut flour for every 1 cup of almond flour called for in the recipe.
2. Increase liquid ingredients: Because coconut flour absorbs more liquid, you will need to increase the amount of liquid ingredients in the recipe. This can include water, milk, eggs, or oil. As a general rule, you should add an additional egg or ¼ cup of liquid for every ¼ cup of coconut flour used in the recipe.
3. Use more binding ingredients: Almond flour has a higher fat content than coconut flour, which helps to bind the ingredients together. To compensate for this, you may need to use more binding ingredients such as eggs, nut butters, or xanthan gum.
4. Adjust baking time and temperature: Coconut flour can absorb more moisture, which can result in a denser and drier texture. As a general rule, you should reduce the baking time and temperature by about 25% when using coconut flour.

By following these rules, you can successfully swap almond flour with coconut flour in a recipe and achieve a similar texture and taste. However, keep in mind that coconut flour has a stronger flavor than almond flour, so it may change the overall flavor of the recipe.