Gluten Free & Vegan Carrot Cupcakes
We're all looking for ways to eat healthy while still enjoying delicious food. Many of us are turning to elimination diets as a way to shed some pounds. Others have to eliminate certain food groups because of allergies. Gluten-free and vegan diets have recently seen a surge in popularity thanks to an increase in the production of tastier ingredients like non-dairy milk alternatives and gluten-free flours.
These Vegan GF Carrot Cupcakes combine traditional baking ingredients like baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon, with alternative ingredients like flaxseed, coconut sugar, almond milk, and gluten-free flour. The abundance of freshly grated carrot makes these cupcakes super moist while also amping up the fiber and vitamin content. Finally, snacking on a gluten-free, vegan cupcake that tastes amazing is possible.
Recipe Images by In the Kitch
These Vegan GF Carrot Cupcakes combine traditional baking ingredients like baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon, with alternative ingredients like flaxseed, coconut sugar, almond milk, and gluten-free flour. The abundance of freshly grated carrot makes these cupcakes super moist while also amping up the fiber and vitamin content.
- 3 flax eggs (3 tbsp flaxseed meal + 8 tbsp hot water)
- 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 cup plain unsweetened almond milk
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrot
- 1 1/2 cups gluten free flour blend (I use Bob’s Red Mill)
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 3/4 cup gluten free oat flour
- 3/4 cup chopped toasted pecans + whole pecans for topping, optional
- 1/2 cup vegan butter (use sticks, rather than the spreadable tub)
- 1 8 oz container vegan cream cheese (out of the fridge for 1 hour)
- 3 cups sifted powdered sugar
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line your cupcake pan with baking cups.
-
Prepare your flaxseed meal and hot water in a large mixing bowl, whisk until combined. Then, add coconut oil and maple syrup. Whisk until combined. Then, add applesauce, sugars, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon. Whisk again.
-
Add almond milk and stir. Add grated carrot, stir again. Then, add almond, oat and GF flour blend, stir. Your batter should be relatively thick, but pourable. If it’s too thick, add up to 1/4 cup more almond milk.
-
If adding chopped pecans, add them and stir to combine.
-
Divide the batter evenly among your cupcake liners. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. (I find 17 minutes in my oven is perfect).
-
While the cupcakes are baking, make your frosting! In a large mixing bowl, add vegan butter and beat or whisk until light and fluffy. Then, add vegan cream cheese and mix again until creamy.
-
Add sifted powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, until thick, spreadable and as sweet as you like it! You may need more than 3 cups powdered sugar if the frosting doesn’t seem thick enough.. but be careful you don’t add too much!
-
Remove cupcakes from the oven and let them rest until completely cooled.
-
Once cool, frost away! I like to frost my cupcakes, and then sprinkle a little more cinnamon over top. Then, top each cupcake with a whole, toasted pecan.
-
Store covered in the fridge for 2-3 days.
-Recipe adapted from Minimalist Baker Carrot Cake.
-Nutrition information does not include frosting.
These Vegan GF Carrot Cupcakes receive the perfect mixture of spice and crunch from the cinnamon and toasted pecans. With natural sweeteners like maple syrup and organic cane sugar, they fulfill that sweet tooth craving without being too overpowering. Topped off with the decadent, vegan cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes are a wonderful way to splurge a little while still following a healthy lifestyle. You will be surprised how moist and delicious these cupcakes are!
Did you enjoy this unique cupcake recipe? If you've given it a try, please share your experience with others so they know how truly superb they are. If you haven't yet tried them and are looking for a new way to satisfy that sweet tooth with a gluten and/or vegan diet, get in the kitchen and make these. You'll be glad you did.
Looking to brush up on your cooking skills? Check out...How to Fry Tofu
Alanna was brought up to love all things food. As she got older, she decided to make the switch to veganism and is thriving on her plant based diet. Her hope is to show people that veganism and healthy eating can be exciting and delicious. She is now also working towards becoming a certified Integrative Health Coach, and is looking forward to teaching people how to take care of themselves not only physically, but mentally as well.