This healthy carrot cake is naturally sweetened with fruit, contains no refined sugar and no flour, and has a moist, tender texture. It’s perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a lighter dessert.
⏱️ Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
- Total Time: 50–55 minutes
🍽️ Servings
- 8–10 slices
🧾 Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups (200 g) finely grated carrots
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ cups (150 g) rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional Add-Ins
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
🍳 Equipment
- 8-inch (20 cm) round cake pan or loaf pan
- Blender or food processor
- Mixing bowl
- Grater
👩🍳 Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F).
- Grease the cake pan lightly or line it with parchment paper.
👩🍳 Step 2: Prepare the Oat Flour
Add the rolled oats to a blender or food processor.
Blend for 30–60 seconds until they resemble a fine flour.
You should have approximately 1½ cups oat flour.
👩🍳 Step 3: Prepare the Carrots
- Peel carrots if desired.
- Grate them finely using the small holes of a box grater.
Finely grated carrots distribute moisture more evenly throughout the cake.
👩🍳 Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine:
- Mashed bananas
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
Whisk until smooth and well combined.
👩🍳 Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
Add:
- Oat flour
- Baking powder
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Salt
Mix until no dry streaks remain.
👩🍳 Step 6: Fold in the Carrots
Add the grated carrots and any optional add-ins.
Fold gently until evenly distributed.
The batter will be thicker than traditional cake batter.
👩🍳 Step 7: Fill the Pan
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
Tap the pan gently on the counter to release any trapped air bubbles.
👩🍳 Step 8: Bake
Bake for 35–40 minutes.
Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.
The cake is ready when:
- The toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- The top springs back lightly when touched.
👩🍳 Step 9: Cool
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cutting too soon can make the cake crumble.
🥄 Optional Healthy Frosting
Greek Yogurt Cinnamon Topping
Mix:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Spread over the cooled cake before serving.
For a vegan version, use unsweetened coconut yogurt.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Serve with:
- Fresh berries
- Sliced bananas
- Chopped nuts
- A cup of tea or coffee
💡 Tips for Success
Use Very Ripe Bananas
The riper the bananas, the sweeter the cake.
Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots.
Don’t Overbake
Oat-based cakes can dry out if baked too long.
Begin checking at 35 minutes.
Add More Texture
Try adding:
- Chopped walnuts
- Pecans
- Pumpkin seeds
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
Make It Dairy-Free
Skip the yogurt topping or use a plant-based yogurt.
🥗 Approximate Nutrition (Per Slice, 10 Slices)
Without frosting:
- Calories: 110–140
- Protein: 4–5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16–20 g
- Fat: 3–5 g
- Fiber: 2–3 g
