Vegan Carrot Cake

1. To prepare cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray; line the pan bottoms with parchment paper.

2. Whisk almond flour, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl until well combined and no sugar clumps remain. Add 1 cup almond milk, applesauce, flaxseed meal, orange zest, orange juice and 1 teaspoon vanilla; whisk just until combined. Fold in carrot, coconut, raisins and pecans until combined.

3. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and spread into an even layer with a small offset spatula. Bake until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean and the sides of the cakes just start to pull away from the pan sides, about 20 minutes. Let cool in the pans on wire racks for 15 minutes; gently remove the cakes from the pans and let cool completely, parchment-side down, on the racks, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

4. To prepare frosting: While the cakes cool, combine almond milk, rice flour and salt in a small saucepan; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened to a paste, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small wide, shallow bowl; let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

5. Place butter in a large bowl; beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until light and smooth, 1 to 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the bowl sides as needed. Add cream cheese; beat on medium speed until light and smooth, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes, stopping to scrape down the bowl sides as needed. Add the cooled rice flour mixture; beat on medium-high speed until smooth and combined, 2 to 3 minutes. Refrigerate the frosting, covered, until thickened and spreadable, at least 1 to 1 1/2 hours or up to 12 hours.

6. To assemble cake: Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate, discarding parchment paper; top with 1 cup frosting, spreading to the edges with an offset spatula. Cover with the remaining cake layer, discarding parchment paper; spread and swirl the remaining frosting on top all the way to the edges. Garnish with pecans, if desired.

To make ahead

Cover and refrigerate frosting (Steps 4 & 5) for up to 12 hours. Refrigerate assembled cake for up to 1 hour.

Equipment

Two 9-inch round cake pans; parchment paper

Tips

For the best flavor, toast nuts before using in a recipe. To toast chopped nuts, place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

For best results, bring butter and cream cheese to room temperature before mixing.