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!
A Sampling of the Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Recipes in This Collection
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!) ~ gluten free (if you use the gluten-free option), dairy free, nut free, vegetarian
Basic Carrot Cake (No Pineapple, Dairy, Raisins, or Nuts) from Go Dairy Free
~ Best Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Alchemist ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Best Gluten-Free Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Alchemist
~ Carrot Cake from Allergy Free Alaska ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian
~ Carrot Cake (or Cupcakes) from Cassidy’s Craveable Creations ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, vegetarian, keto, primal
~ Carrot Cake from Celiac Family via The Wayback Machine ~ gluten free, vegetarian (I love Heather’s super cute carrot embellishments!)
Carrot Cake from Celiac Family
~ Carrot Cake from Edible Perspective ~ gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake from Edible Perspective
~ Carrot Cake from Elana’s Pantry ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from Elana’s Pantry
~ Carrot Cake from Elana’s Pantry ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, paleo, primal
Gluten-Free, Nut-Free Paleo Carrot Cake from Elana’s Pantry
~ Carrot Cake from Flippin’ Delicious ~ gluten free, vegetarian
~ Carrot Cake from GF Jules ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian
~ Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Goddess ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Goddess
~ Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Homemaker via The Wayback Machine ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Homemaker
~ Carrot Cake from Gluten-Free Spinner ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from Gluten Free Spinner
~ Carrot Cake from Mama Knows Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option
Carrot Cake from Mama Knows Gluten Free
Carrot Cake from Primal Palate
~ Carrot Cake from The Spunky Coconut ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from The Spunky Coconut
~ Carrot Cake from Wheat Free, Meat Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from Wheat Free Meat Free
~ Carrot Cake with Secret Ingredient from GF Jules ~ gluten free, vegetarian, with dairy-free option
Carrot Cake with Secret Ingredient from GF Jules
~ Classic Keto Carrot Cake from All Day I Dream About Food ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, keto
Classic Keto Carrot Cake from All Day I Dream About Food
~ Healthy Carrot Cake from Detoxinista ~ gluten free, grain free, refined sugar free, vegetarian
Healthy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake from Detoxinista
~ Keto Carrot Cake from Big Man’s World ~ gluten free, grain free, sugar free, vegetarian, low carb, keto
Keto Carrot Cake from Big Man’s World
~ Vegan Carrot Cake from Strength and Sunshine ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegetarian, vegan, with sugar-free options
Gluten-Free and Vegan Carrot Cake from Strength and Sunshine
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
Breakfast Carrot Cake from The Essential Gluten-Free Baking Guide via Ricki Heller
~ Carrot Cake Loaf from Healthful Pursuit ~ gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian
Carrot Cake Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing from Healthful Pursuit
~ 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”!)
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with Craisins and Cinnamon Glaze Premeditated Leftovers
~ Carrot Cake from My Gluten-Free Kitchen ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Gluten-free Carrot Cake from My Gluten-Free Kitchen
~ Carrot Pudding Cake from Faithfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Creamy Carrot Pudding Cake from Faithfully Gluten Free
~ Carrot Zucchini Cake from Sarah Bakes Gluten-Free ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, with egg-free, vegan options
Carrot Zucchini Cake from Sarah Bakes Gluten-Free
~ “Healthified” Carrot Cake from Unconventional Baker ~ gluten free, dairy free, egg free, refined sugar free, vegan
“Healthified” Carrot Cake (Don’t You Love the Carrot Hearts?!)
~ Individual Carrot Cakes from Successfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Individual Carrot Cakes from Successfully Gluten Free
~ Keto Instant Pot Carrot Cake from Beauty and the Foodie ~ gluten free, sugar free, vegetarian
Keto Instant Pot Carrot Cake
~ Layered Carrot and Cheesecake Cake from Faithfully Gluten Free ~ gluten free, vegetarian
Layered Carrot and Cheesecake Cake from Faithfully Gluten Free
~ Mango Carrot Cake from The Gluten-Free Chef via Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian
Mango Carrot Cake from The Gluten-Free Chef
~ Carrot Cake from Gluten Free Fix ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, with paleo/primal option
Gluten-Free Carrot Cake from Gluten Free Fix
~ Carrot Cake from Gluten Free SCD and Veggie ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, primal, SCD, vegetarian
Carrot Cake from Gluten Free SCD and Veggie
~ Carrot Cake from The Healthy Apple ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, vegan
Carrot Cake from The Healthy Apple
~ Really Excellent Carrot Cake from Zenbelly ~ gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian
Really Excellent Gluten-Free Carrot Cake from Zenbelly
~ Ultimate Carrot Cake from Edible Harmony ~ gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free, paleo, primal, vegetarian, with raw, vegan option
Ultimate Gluten-Free Carrot Cake from Edible Harmony
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
5-Minute Carrot Cake from Chocolate-Covered Katie
~ 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
Classic Keto Carrot Cake from All Day I Dream About Food
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
![So many amazing Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipes. You're going to find one--or several!--that bring out your "inner bunny"! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Gluten-Free-Carrot-Cake-Cookies-and-Bars-Featured-on-AllGlutenFreeDesserts.com_.jpg "So many amazing Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipes. You're going to find one--or several!--that bring out your \"inner bunny\"! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
~ 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
![So many amazing Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipes. You're going to find one--or several!--that bring out your "inner bunny"! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Some-Gluten-Free-Carrot-Cake-Cupcakes-Muffins-Featured-on-AllGlutenFreeDesserts.com_.jpg "So many amazing Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipes. You're going to find one--or several!--that bring out your \"inner bunny\"! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
~ 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
![So many amazing Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipes. You're going to find one--or several!--that bring out your "inner bunny"! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Other-Gluten-Free-Carrot-Cake-Desserts-Featured-on-AllGlutenFreeDesserts.com_.jpg "So many amazing Gluten-Free Carrot Cake recipes. You're going to find one--or several!--that bring out your \"inner bunny\"! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
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.
Jeanine says
Whoa! What a crazy round-up! That must have taken a lot of work, but thank you for doing that! Shared, pinned & tweeted. Thanks for including The Baking Beauties! Have a fabulous Easter!
Shirley says
Wow, you are fast, Jeanine!!! Thanks for doing all that sharing. Yes, this is a post that I planned to have up a while ago—definitely before Easter—but the number of carrot cake recipes really surprised me and there were so many I didn’t want to leave out. A couple were published just the few days. So here I am at the 11th hour, literally, sharing this roundup. 😉 It was my pleasure to include your recipes, of course. I particularly like the combo carrot cake/cheesecake!
Thanks for the Easter wishes. Wishing you the same! Easters are so much more special with the kiddos. Enjoy!
Shirley
Megan | Allergy Free Alaska says
You’re amazing, Shirley! What a great list of carrot cake dessert recipes. Thank you for featuring 2 of mine! 😉
Shirley says
Awww, thank you, my dear, but you all make me look good! You are the ones creating these awesome carrot cake recipes. I was happy to get in my ABC muffins, if not a true cake recipe. 😉
xo,
Shirley
amber says
Shirley my friend…you really know how to do a recipe round-up. Really, you blow me away with these amazing posts. WOW! Great job. What an honor to be featured along with these other talented bloggers. Thank you for including me. I’ve actually been working on a carrot cake recipe for over a month. I have it just right now and can’t wait to share. Baking always takes me a little extra time. Have a great rest of your weekend. And happy spring. 🙂
Hugs,
–am
Shirley says
Amber–I was SURE I had replied to this comment—yikes! 🙁 Thanks so much, dear. 🙂 I can’t wait to see your carrot cake recipe. It might take you a while to perfect a baking recipe, but it’s always worth the wait for us! It seems that everyone is into carrot cakes right now. I have to admit that I’m working on carrot cake ice cream. 😉
xo,
Shirley
April J Harris says
This post is such a great resource, Shirley! I’ve shared it on our Hearth and Soul Facebook page. I love carrot cake and I’m keen to try so many of these – especially the breakfast carrot cake and also the delicious recipe from my friend Vicky at Gluten Free SCD and Veggie. Thank you for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul.
Diane Eblin says
I LOVE Carrot Cake!!! Thank you for sharing all of these different versions. I may combine a few ideas and make it in the mug size version. That way I can’t over eat too much. 😉
Shirley Braden says
Hi Diane–You are welcome, of course! Aren’t mug cakes the best ever? Even with a mug cake, sometimes there’s enough to share. Sometimes. 😉 I love the idea of taking a little of this and a little of that from a few of these recipes to create the best version for you! That’s a little harder with traditional cakes but mug cakes are very forgiving. 🙂
Enjoy!
Shirley
Judee says
Hi Shirley,
It’s amazing how many wonderful gluten-free recipes there are to make carrot cake. I can’t wait to look at the 5 minute carrot cake and the breakfast carrot cake. As always you are a wonderful go-to resource for any kind of gluten free baking ideas! Stay Well and safe!
Shirley Braden says
Hi there, Judee!–The gluten-free community always continues to amaze me! I think you’ve made two great choices on which recipes to check out first. 🙂 Thanks so much as always for your generous feedback! I am staying well and safe. Hope you are, too. May we all come out okay on the other side!
Shirley
Nancy says
Shirley, Carrot cake is one of my all-time favorites. I have an excellent recipe from a friend, but I’m going to have to try some of these wonderful concoctions! Thanks again for all you do. Nancy
Shirley Braden says
Hi Nancy–It’s so good to see you and thanks for your generous words, as always! 🙂 Once you’ve found an excellent recipe, I know that it’s really very hard to try something new. Maybe it would be best for you to try some of the non-traditional carrot cake recipes (e.g., bites, mini cake) vs put them to the inevitable comparison test with your friend’s recipe. 😉
Hope all is well and stays well with you and yours!
Shirley
Nancy says
Shirley, Great suggestion! Think I’m going to try the carrot waffles. Haven’t had waffles in forever and they look so darn good. All is well here with us, just trying to be careful and stay healthy. Hope that is the same for you and yours! Nancy
Shirley Braden says
Those waffles look and sound very tasty, Nancy! Enjoy!
Same here on staying safe (extremely careful here) and healthy. So far, so good! 🙂
Shirley