Crazy for Carrot Cake! Over 70 Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipes

February 3 is National Carrot Cake Day. I’m glad there’s a special day to celebrate this classic, much-loved cake! You’ll find over 70 gluten-free carrot cake recipes in this newly updated collection.

I saw a Hallmark Christmas movie this past season where the main character was the head baker/owner of a very popular bakery. She tells her friend—actually her soon-to-be boyfriend (but of course, right?!)—that carrot cake is one of the most popular cakes but she does not like it. At all. And he agrees.

Say what? Who are these people? Carrot cake is popular for a very, very good reason. It’s fabulous! 

There are recipes here for traditional carrot cakes, round cakes, layer cakes, square cakes, loaf cakes, including grain-free and keto options, plus so many other delicious carrot cake and carrot cake-style dessert recipes. There’s even an instant pot recipe and a personal-sized carrot cake (ready in 5 minutes!).

There are cookies and bars, cupcakes and muffins, cake bites, doughnut holes, pancakes, smoothies, and more you’ll want to check out. Folks happily—and smartly—get their carrot cake needs met via a variety of scrumptious ways! As the saying goes, “it’s all good.” So wonderfully good!

As always, recipes are labeled to provide you the information on all ingredients (e.g., dairy, eggs) that they’re free of as so many of us have a need to eat more than “just gluten free.”

Traditional (Round) Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipes 

~ Basic Carrot Cake with Lemon Glaze (No Pineapple, Raisins, or Nuts!) from Go Dairy Free ~ gluten free (if you use the gluten-free option), dairy free, nut free, vegetarian

Alisa says: “This beloved dessert is pineapple-free as is, so there’s no need to worry about moisture levels. It’s also made without nuts and raisins, but I’ve included options should you want to add either, or both, back in. And the delicious glaze is made without dairy OR dairy alternatives of any kind. Yes, this is a naturally dairy-free dessert!

This is a nice moist carrot cake that’s full-flavored, and complemented by a delicious sweet-tart glaze. It bakes up quite like a seamless box mix cake, but with a definite homemade taste.”

 ~ Best Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Alchemist ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Kate says: “This gluten free Carrot Cake is hands-down the BEST carrot cake I have ever eaten. Moist, nutty, lightly-spiced, with a hint of orange… And slathered in thick, sumptuous cream cheese frosting.”

~ Carrot Cake from Allergy Free Alaska ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

Megan says: “Everyone needs an authentic recipe for a carrot cake they love. This gluten-free carrot cake continues to be a solid reader favorite, year after year. It’s not only made completely from scratch, but it’s entirely dairy-free, and lower in fat and sugar than the average carrot cake recipe. 

Don’t let this healthy recipe fool you though, this recipe delivers a moist cake with a tender crumb. It’s utterly delicious and deceptively easy to make.”

~ Carrot Cake from Chocolate-Covered Katie ~ gluten free (use gluten-free option), dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan, with refined sugar-free option

Katie says: “A soft, fluffy homemade vegan carrot cake recipe, complete with whipped cream cheese frosting! This absolutely delicious frosted carrot cake recipe is perfect for serving to guests… and no one could blame you if you want to eat the leftovers for breakfast!”

~ Carrot Cake (or Cupcakes) (Keto) from Cassidy’s Craveable Creations ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, vegetarian, keto, primal

From Cassidy: “These keto carrot cake cupcakes are the real deal! They’re soft, tender, have a great spice flavor, and are topped with cream cheese frosting! And even though many people think ‘carrots aren’t keto‘ they work fine in this recipe!

Yes, carrots are higher in carbs, but in small amounts, you can still incorporate them into your diet without ruining it.”

~ Carrot Cake from Celiac Family via The Wayback Machine ~ gluten free, vegetarian (I love Heather’s super cute carrot embellishments!)

Heather says: “My gluten-free carrot cake turned out great again this year for Easter. Rave reviews from the whole family. I use Pamela’s Ultimate Baking and Pancake Mix. I use Pamela’s recipe for carrot cake with slight variations to double the recipe.  The cake is moist even after being refrigerated overnight. I don’t use Pamela’s frosting recipe, but instead use a classic cream cheese frosting recipe, which I’m sharing with this recipe.”

~ Carrot Cake from Edible Perspective ~ gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

Ashley says: “This cake has quite a bit of heft to it. It’s incredibly dense, but not in a heavy-like-a-brick kind of way way.  It nearly melts in your mouth.  You could eat it all on its own without even a lick of frosting.  But why would you want to do a thing like that?” 

~ Carrot Cake from Elana’s Pantry ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegetarian

Elana says: “This gluten-free Carrot Cake is a family favorite. It’s a healthy dessert for cookouts, picnics, and graduation parties. Made with almond flour, this cake is high in protein and good fat, so you won’t be left with a high-carb hangover after eating it.”

~ Carrot Cake from Elana’s Pantry ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, paleo, primal

Elana says: “Lightly sweetened, my Nut-Free Paleo Carrot Cake recipe from scratch is fantastic if you’re on a low-carb diet.” She adds: “This Gluten Free Carrot Cake recipe made with coconut flour could not be simpler to throw together.”

~ Carrot Cake from Flippin’ Delicious ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Brianna describes her carrot cake: “Traditional gluten-free carrot cake frosted with a whipped cream cheese buttercream. Brown sugar spice cake base filled with nutty pecans, shredded carrots, and you can even add raisins or coconut if you like. Moist and delicious!”

~ Carrot Cake from GF Jules ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

Jules says: “A good carrot cake recipe is one of life’s great necessities, don’t you think? And the same holds true for a gluten free carrot cake recipe – if you’re living without gluten, you shouldn’t have to live without great gluten free carrot cake recipe so you can enjoy this treat any time you like!”

~ Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Goddess ~ gluten free, vegetarian

Karina says: “Once in a blue moon I get a hankering for this old school classic. Lucky for me it translates well to gluten free. This recipe is based on one of my own [pre-gluten free] standbys. I changed it very little, except for the flour. Please note: This recipe has no added leavening because it is using a leavened baking and pancake mix.”

~ Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Homemaker via The Wayback Machine ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Spinner ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake from Mama Knows Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option

~ Carrot Cake from The Spunky Coconut ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake from Wheat Free, Meat Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake with Secret Ingredient from GF Jules ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option

~ Classic Keto Carrot Cake from All Day I Dream About Food ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, keto

~ Healthy Carrot Cake from Detoxinista ~ gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Keto Carrot Cake from Big Man’s World ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, vegetarian, low carb, keto

~ Vegan Carrot Cake from Strength and Sunshine ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan, with sugar-free options

More Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipes

~ Breakfast Carrot Cake from The Essential Gluten-Free Baking Guides via Ricki Heller ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan, with refined sugar-free option

~ Carrot Cake Loaf from Healthful Pursuit ~ gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Bundt Cake with Craisins and Cinnamon Glaze from Premeditated Leftovers ~ gluten free, vegetarian

(Incidentally, once when Alea made this cake, it stuck to the pan, so she turned it into Carrot Cake Trifle. The trifle was so good that her daughter asked her to “ruin more cakes”!)

~ Carrot Cake from My Gluten-Free Kitchen ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Pudding Cake from Faithfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Zucchini Cake from Sarah Bakes Gluten-Free ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, with egg-free, vegan options

~ “Healthified” Carrot Cake from Unconventional Baker ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegan

~ Individual Carrot Cakes from Successfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Keto Instant Pot Carrot Cake from Beauty and the Foodie ~ gluten free, sugar free, vegetarian

~ Layered Carrot and Cheesecake Cake from Faithfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Mango Carrot Cake from The Gluten-Free Chef via Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake from Gluten Free Fix ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, with paleo/primal option

~ Carrot Cake from Gluten Free SCD and Veggie ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, primal, SCD, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake from The Healthy Apple ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegan

~ Really Excellent Carrot Cake from Zenbelly ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Ultimate Carrot Cake from Edible Harmony ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, paleo, primal, vegetarian, with raw, vegan option

Personal Gluten-Free Carrot Cake 

~ 5-Minute Carrot Cake from Chocolate-Covered Katie ~ gluten-free (use gluten-free option), with dairy-free, egg-free, refined sugar-free options

~ Carrot Mug Cake from Fearless Dining ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option

~ Mini Carrot Cake from All Day I Dream About Food ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, keto

And here are many more gluten-free dessert recipes that offer other delicious “non-cake” ways to appease your carrot cake cravings!

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Cookie and Bar Recipes

~ 7-Ingredient Carrot Cake Cookies from Healthful Pursuit ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake from Better Batter ~ gluten free (make sure the oats you use are both certified gluten free and purity protocol), vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies from A Few Shortcuts ~ gluten free (must use gluten-free option), vegetarian, with dairy-free option

~ Carrot Cake Cookies from The Mommy Bowl~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, with egg-free, vegan option

~ Carrot Cake Cookies (Paleo) from Oatmeal with a Fork ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies (think Carrot Cake Whoopie Pies!) from Delicious As It Looks ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan

~ Keto Carrot Cake Bars from All Day I Dream About Food ~ gluten free, vegetarian, keto

~ Oil-Free Carrot Cake Protein Bars from Healthful Pursuit ~ Gluten-free, grain free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegetarian

~ Quinoa Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies from Healthful Pursuit ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, nut free, egg free, vegan

~ Vegan Carrot Cake Coconut Macaroons with Maple Glaze from And Love It, Too! ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, paleo, primal, vegan

Gluten-Free Carrot Cupcake and Muffin Recipes

~ Almond Banana Carrot(ABC) Muffins from Gluten Free Easily ~ gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Banana Muffins from Elana’s Pantry ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, paleo, primal, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Rays of Bliss ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Elana’s Pantry ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ “Caught the Bouquet” Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Tasty Meditation ~ gluten free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Cupcakes with Sunflower Cream Frosting from In Johnna’s Kitchen ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Muffins from Cuter Than Gluten ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, with egg-free, vegan option

~ Carrot Cake Muffins from GAPS Diet Journey ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free,  paleo, primal, GAPS

~ Carrot Cake Muffins from Successfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cake Muffins from Tasty Yummies ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, with egg-free vegan option

~ Carrot Cake Muffins with Honey Cream Cheese Frosting from Nourishing Meals ~ gluten free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Carrot Cupcakes from GF Jules ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free options 

~ Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Buttercream Frosting from Sarah Bakes Gluten-Free ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan

~ Carrot Muffins from She Let Them Eat Cake~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan

~ Oat Flour Carrot Cake Muffins from Oatmeal with a Fork ~ gluten free, refined sugar free, vegetarian

~ Paleo Carrot Cake Muffins from Allergy Free Alaska via Gluten Free Easily ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian 

~ Paleo Carrot Cake Muffins from Mama Knows Gluten Free ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal

~ Raw Carrot Cake Cupcakes from Unconventional Baker ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal, AIP, SCD, vegan

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Bite, Cookies, and Doughnut Hole Recipes

~ Carrot Cake Bites from The Paleo Mom ~ gluten free, grain free, primal, vegetarian, with dairy free, paleo option

~ Carrot Cake Cookies from Healthful Pursuit ~ gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal

~ Carrot Cake Doughnut Holes from Healthful Pursuit ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, paleo, primal, vegan, raw

~ Raw Vegan Carrot Cake Bites from Simply Quinoa ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegan, raw

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Smoothie Recipes

~ Carrot Cake Smoothie from Flo and Grace ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegan

~ Carrot Cake Smoothie from Simply Quinoa ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegan

~ Carrot Cake Smoothie from Ricki Heller ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegan

Still More Gluten-Free Carrot Cake “Dessert” Recipes

~ Carrot Cake Crumble from Chocolate-Covered Katie ~ gluten free (use gluten-free option), dairy free, egg free, vegan, with sugar-free option

~ Carrot Cake Pancakes from All Day I Dream About Food ~ gluten gree, grain free, low carb, refined sugar free, sugar free

~ Carrot Cake Pancakes from Fork and Beans ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan

~ Carrot Cake Waffles from Chocolate-Covered Katie ~ gluten free (use gluten-free option), egg free, with dairy-free, vegan options

~ Carrot Cake Pudding from Against All Grain ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal

You may be thinking “hmm, pancakes as a dessert,” but why not? These pancakes topped with maple syrup or honey would be a perfect dessert in my opinion, especially for someone like me who is not usually up to eating anything sweet like pancakes for breakfast.

Have fun checking out these delicious gluten-free carrot cake dessert recipes! I love that we can go traditional and/or enjoy carrot cake via other tasty means as well!

Originally published April 19, 2014; updated March 11, 2023.