Carrot Cake is the ultimate treat for October’s cozy days. I always crave it this time of year. Instead of the classic version, I’ll add orange glaze for a fresh upgrade. The result is a perfect balance of sweetness and zest.
Contents
Carrot cake with orange glaze recipe
Carrot cake is made with grated carrots. This moist dessert is classified as a spice cake due to the inclusion of warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Traditionally, carrot cake is topped with cream cheese frosting for its rich taste.

But for me, carrot cake is better and healthier with an orange marmalade glaze. The glaze is topped with raisins and pine nuts, both spiced to add extra flavor. This carrot cake is low in sugar and free from gluten and dairy. Despite these changes, the cake remains moist and delicious.
Here is how to make carrot cake with orange glaze recipe.

Carrot Cake with Orange Glaze
Ingredients
- 150 ml sunflower oil
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 100 g light muscavado sugar
- 175 g gluten-free self-raising flour blend
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 200 g carrots grated
- 70 g raisins
- 1 orange – 2 tsp of zest, 2 of juice.
- A few pinenuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180oC and lightly grease a round springform cake tin.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, eggs, and sugar until you have a syrupy consistency.
- Fold in the flour and spices, incorporating plenty of air, then add the carrots, raisins, orange zest and juice. Stir lightly until they are mixed through evenly. The mixture should be fairly runny.
- Pour into the cake tin and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45 mins. The cake should be golden and springy. Check with a skewer: if it comes out clean, it’s done! Be careful not to overbake, you want it to be moist.
- Allow to cool in the tin for 5 mins, then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.
- Warm some orange marmalade in a pan until just runny, then remove from heat. While the marmalade is warming, mix some more juice from the orange with a little nutmeg in a shallow bowl and soak a couple of handfuls of raisins in the juice.
- With a pastry brush, spread the marmalade of the top of the cake and sprinkle on the raisins and pinenuts.
- It is wonderful served warm with just a drizzle of fresh cream.
Nutrition
Pairing suggestions
You can pair this Carrot Cake with many drinks, such as:
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks
- Chai Tea enhances the cake’s flavors.
- Creamy Vanilla Latte and Moscato enhance the cake’s sweetness
- Pineapple Juice adds a refreshing citrusy note.
- Earl Grey Tea highlights the orange glaze with its bergamot flavor.
- Alcoholic Options
- Carrot Cake Martini mimics its flavors.
- Ginger Beer complements the cake’s spices.
- American IPA contrasts with the carrot cake’s sweetness. It enhances the dessert experience.
- Imperial Pale Ales have strong citrus or floral notes. It counters the cake’s sweetness.
- Wine Pairings
- Tokaj offers honeyed stone and citrus fruit flavors. It complements the cake’s sweetness.
- Sauternes is known for its luscious sweetness and stone fruit notes. It enhances the cake’s spiced elements.
- Amontillado Sherry has dry, nutty characteristics. It resonates with the cake’s spiced profile.
Variations
Here are some variations and ideas for different types of carrot cakes with orange glaze:
- Vegan Carrot Cake with Orange Glaze
- This dairy-free cake uses almond milk and applesauce.
- The glaze combines powdered sugar and orange juice for flavor.
- Vanilla or zest enhances the orange glaze.
- Carrot Bundt Cake with Orange-Bourbon Glaze
- Bourbon enhances the glaze’s rich flavor.
- The bundt shape creates an elegant presentation.
- Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing and Orange Zest
- This cake features cream cheese frosting with orange juice and zest.
- Citrus frosting adds richness to the dessert.
- Mini Carrot Cakes with Orange Glaze
- Mini cakes are baked in loaf pans or muffin tins.
- These cakes stay moist and flavorful.
- Individual servings suit gatherings perfectly.
- Carrot Cake with Pineapple and Orange Glaze
- Crushed pineapple enhances the cake’s sweetness and moisture.
- The orange glaze complements the tropical pineapple notes.
- This combination offers a refreshing twist.
Made this for my kid’s birthday and it was a crowd-pleaser. Even the picky eaters loved it!
It came out great! My kids love it
Love it! The texture of this carrot cake is perfect – soft and just the right amount of spice.
This recipe is amazing! The orange glaze adds such a refreshing twist to the classic carrot cake. It’s my new favorite dessert!