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Home » Desserts

Healthier Carrot Cake

Published: Mar 1, 2022 · Modified: Feb 1, 2023 by Amira · This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

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A delicious and moist cake, a healthy alternative to the classic carrot cake. This healthy carrot cake recipe can be made in a 13x9 or as a layered birthday cake so you can celebrate and stay in shape.
Total time 1 hour
Jump to Recipe

A delicious carrot cake made with whole wheat and with amazing healthy frosting. It is the best healthy carrot cake to celebrate birthdays or springtime.

Next time, try this easy orange loaf cake.

Carrot cake on a cake plate with a piece pulled out of it.
You will not feel the guilt when you take a second serving of this healthy carrot cake.

Carrot cakes are most popular around Easter and spring time in the United States. The best carrot cakes are delicate moist and rich. This healthier take on carrot cake is as delicious, you'll never miss the extra sugar, fat or the white flour!

Jump to:
  • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
  • 📝 Ingredients
  • 🥄 Instructions
  • 💡 Expert Tips
  • 💬 FAQs
  • You may need
  • 📣 Related Recipes
  • Healthy carrot cake Recipe

❤️ Why You'll Love It

  • A lighter version of the traditional carrot cake so everyone can come for seconds without the guilt.
  • This is a lovely and relatively uncomplicated recipe for carrot cake.
  • Can be made in a 13x9 casserole or birthday layer cake.

Perfect sweetness, moist with a little molasses flavor. This healthy cake has the most amazing yogurt frosting with cream cheese and honey. I promise you, you will never miss the extra sugars.

📝 Ingredients

Healthy carrot cake ingredients on a marble table top.

🥄 Instructions

A collage of three images showing how to prepare carrot cake batter.
  1. Beat eggs and vanilla then add both brown and white sugar and continue beating. Add oil then applesauce and mix well.
  2. In another large bowl mix together the dry ingredients. Whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
  3. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix.
A collage of two images showing how to make healthy carrot cake recipe.
  1. Fold in gated carrots and walnuts if using.
  2. Grease and dust two 8 inch round cake pans or 9x13 inch pan. Divide cake batter into the pans and bake until done. Let the cakes cool completely on a cooling rack.
A collage of two images showing how to make healthy frosting for carrot cake.
  • In a bowl combine frosting ingredients well.
  • Place the first baked round cake on a circular plate, top with some of the frosting then top that with the other baked cake. Decorate according to your liking or just dump the frosting on top. Double the frosting if you feel the need to, the best part is it is not that super sweet and it is actually healthier.

💡 Expert Tips

  • The frosting is a little bit soft, If you need a more stiff frosting to make flowers and more decorative shapes, you'll need to add some powdered sugar. I've used a lot of icing as I've made a two tier birthday cake.
  • You can use maple syrup instead of honey as well in the frosting.
  • You can bake in a 13x9 pan and only use half of the icing or just dust the top with some powdered sugar instead of frosting, or maybe even healthier and skip the frosting all together.
  • Cake and frosting are not too sweet like the ones we usually get at the stores. For us it was just right and we did not even miss the extra sugar. I had a little bit of leftover frosting which my kids put to a good use . They scooped more on their cake pieces, but guess what? I was not freaking out and yelling at them to stop.

💬 FAQs

Does carrot cake have carrot in?

Yes, carrot cake is a cake that actually has carrot in the batter. Sometimes people add raisins, pineapples and nuts along with carrots.

Can I substitute applesauce for oil in carrot cake?

Actually in this recipe I did. While developing this recipe to be lighter some of the fats were substituted by apple sauce but still you'll find

Can you use extra virgin olive oil in carrot cake?

You can definitely do that if this is your thing. You see, I've made cakes before with olive oil but it just did not suite my taste , I felt EVOO was so overwhelming and really overpowered all other flavors.

Carrot cake on a serving plate with a piece taken from it and placed on a white dessert plate on the back.

You may need

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you so much for being a part of Amira’sPantry!
If you are going to make a birthday cake these 8" baking pans. Wilton are known for their reliable baking pans and these are one of my favorite for making birthday cakes.
A photo for metal pans products

📣 Related Recipes

  • This date cake is very easy, needs only a blender, a bowl and a whisk.
  • The best marble loaf recipe coming to you right from my mama's kitchen.
  • Here is a moist pecan pumpkin cake with a delicious buttery sauce.
  • Best fluffy marshmallow frosting recipe, easy to make with a handful of ingredients. This is the perfect frosting for cakes and cupcakes.

I hope you'll like this recipe and please if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #amiraspantry — I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter!
Don’t want to miss a recipe? Sign up for the FREE Amira's Pantry newsletter delivered to your inbox with lots of tips and surprises! And stay in touch with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for all the latest updates.

If you like this recipe do not forget to give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ star rating and attach a photo of your finished dish. It is always a pleasure of mine to see your photos and check your own take of the recipe. Thank you.

Carrot cake on a cake plate with a piece pulled out of it.

Healthy carrot cake Recipe

A delicious and moist cake, a healthy alternative to the classic carrot cake. This healthy carrot cake recipe can be made in a 13x9 or as a layered birthday cake so you can celebrate and stay in shape.
4.78 from 9 votes
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 328kcal
Author: Amira

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 4 eggs.
  • ½ cup brown sugar.
  • ½ cup granulated white sugar.
  • ¾ cup apple sauce.
  • ¼ cup oil
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 cups grated carrots
  • ½ cup walnuts chopped (optional).

For the cream cheese frosting and filling**

  • ½ cup raw honey.
  • 2 8oz cream cheese, room temperature.
  • 2 (5oz) vanilla Greek yogurt cups.

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and dust two 8 inch round cake pans or 9x13 inch pan.
  • In a deep bowl, beat eggs and vanilla then add both brown and white sugar and continue beating.
  • Add oil then apple sauce and mix well.
  • In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
  • Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix.
  • Finally fold in the carrots and pecan if using.
  • Bake in the prepared pan(s) until done.*
  • Meanwhile, prepare the frosting. In a bowl beat cream cheese, yogurt and honey until well combined. Refrigerate until the cake is done and cooled.
  • If you are making a two tier cake, add half the filling over one cake and cover with the other one.
  • Decorate with the rest of the frosting.
  • Refrigerate to set for a couple of hours before serving.

Video

Notes

  • If you will not make a two tier cake and then use only half of the icing recipe.
  • The frosting is a little bit soft, If you need a more stiff frosting to make flowers and more decorative shapes, you'll need to add some powdered sugar. I've used a lot of icing as I've made a two tier birthday cake.
  • You can use chopped pecans instead of walnuts as well.
  • You can bake in a 13x9 pan and only use half of the icing or just dust the top with some powdered sugar instead of frosting, or maybe even healthier and skip the frosting all together.
  • Cake and frosting are not too sweet like the ones we usually get at the stores. For us it was just right and we did not even miss the extra sugar. I had a little bit of leftover frosting which my kids put to a good use . They scooped more on their cake pieces, but guess what? I was not freaking out and yelling at them to stop.
  • Please check the nutrition disclaimer policy.

Nutrition

Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 395mg | Potassium: 252mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 4456IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 108mg | Iron: 1mg
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First published March 29, 2017 . Last updated March 1, 2022 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.

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About Amira

I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by! My hope is to introduce you to new flavors, creative ways and fresh takes on favorites. To help you create food with style that will bring everyone around your kitchen table. From weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean. One thing in common, they are all recipes that have been tried and tested by family and friends.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. John / Kitchen Riffs

    February 24, 2021 at 7:39 am

    You're reminding me that it's been a couple of years at least since I've had carrot cake. Gotta make some, and soon -- using your terrific recipe! Thanks.

    Reply
  2. Ghislaine Connell

    February 23, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Thank you, Amira, for giving us a recipe with less sugar. I am a diabetic that loves sugar but I find most recipes are so overloaded with sugar, they are not even enjoyable to eat. When I bake, even to give or sell, I always cut back on the amount of sugar in most recipes. I have not tried this recipe yet but will now. Thank you once again.

    Reply
    • Amira

      February 26, 2021 at 8:11 am

      Gald you find it useful Ghislaine.

      Reply
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I’m overjoyed that you have stopped by!
I send warm greetings from sunny Colorado. This blog combines weeknight dinners for crazy busy days to desserts with the “wow” factor, and classic comforts from the Mediterranean.
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