Matcha Carrot Cake

This vegan matcha carrot cake is elegant, super moist, and perfectly spiced!  Go ahead and “bake a scene” with this recipe!
Feel free to share questions or comments below.  We love to see renditions – try this recipe and tag @CleanCulinaryCanvas on social media!
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Prep Time 1 hr
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
Servings 8 people
Menu Dessert
Diet Vegan, Vegetarian

Ingredients
  

For the Carrot Cake

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • ½ tsp ginger powder
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 ¼ cups grated carrot
  • 1 ½ cups brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp flaxseed meal
  • 6 Tbsp water
  • ½ cup canola oil
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

For the Frosting (Vegan Option*)

  • 3 ¾ cups confectioner’s sugar
  • 3 Tbsp vegan plant-based butter, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp matcha powder
  • Vegan white chocolate (optional)

For the Frosting (Vegetarian Option**)

  • 4 cups confectioner’s sugar
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp matcha powder
  • White chocolate (optional)

Instructions
 

For the Carrot Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350oF.
  • Grease and flour two round 8” cakepans.
  • Wisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg, and salt).
  • Prepare flax eggs by mixing together flaxseed meal and water.  Let the mixture sit and thicken for 5 minutes.
  • Mix together carrots and brown sugar. Add oil, apple cider vinegar, and flax eggs. Slowly add dry ingredients. Allow batter to sit for a few minutes to allow carrots to release more water into the batter for optimal mixability. Once batter is well blended, fold in chopped walnuts.
  • Divide carrot cake batter across both cakepans. Bake for 30 min or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cake to cool completely before releasing from cakepan.

For the Icing

  • *Vegan Icing: To prepare dairy-free frosting, beat together powdered sugar, plant-based butter, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Divide icing and add matcha powder to half. White chocolate may be added to the matcha icing for taste and smooth ombre effect within the cake design shown in the photo.
  • **Vegetarian Icing: To prepare cream cheese frosting, beat together butter, cream cheese, and vanilla.  Slowly add powdered sugar and beat until creamy. Divide icing and add matcha powder to half. White chocolate may be added to the matcha icing for taste and smooth ombre effect within the cake design shown in the photo.
Keyword vegan, vegetarian