Description
A deliciously indulgent sugar-free carrot cake with a creamy brown butter cream cheese frosting, perfect for guilt-free celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar-free sweetener
- 1/3 cup brown sugar-free sweetener
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or applesauce)
- 3 tbsp full-fat sour cream, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cups + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp + 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 2/3 cup milk (dairy or unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
- 6 tbsp butter (for browning)
- 6 oz cold cream cheese
- 1 3/4 – 2 cups powdered sugar-free sweetener
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1–2 tsp milk (optional)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of cinnamon
Instructions
- Brown the butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat until golden-brown and nutty. Chill in a bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9 inch pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and sweeteners until pale and frothy. Whisk in oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. Gently fold until half combined.
- Add remaining ingredients: Pour in milk, grated carrots, and pecans. Fold gently until fully combined.
- Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 38–43 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.
- Cool down: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Invert onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine the brown butter and cream cheese. Beat until smooth, adding sweetener, vanilla, salt, and milk as needed.
- Frost and serve: Spread frosting generously over the cooled cake and sprinkle with extra chopped nuts if desired.
Notes
This cake can be made a day in advance. Store wrapped in plastic in the fridge. Can be served with coffee, tea, or a refreshing smoothie.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 43 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: sugar-free, carrot cake, baking, dessert, healthy dessert, cream cheese frosting