Carrot Cake with Orange Glaze: Easy and Healthy

Carrot Cake is the ultimate dessert for Easter. 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.

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.

This Carrot Cake pairs beautifully with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. For a cozy match, try chai tea or a creamy vanilla latte, while pineapple juice adds a refreshing twist. 

If you prefer something stronger, a Carrot Cake Martini or Ginger Beer complements the spices. For wines, you choose Tokaj, Sauternes, or Amontillado Sherry,

Here is how to make carrot cake with orange glaze recipe.

Carrot Cake with Orange Glaze

This moist and tender carrot cake features warm spices, freshly grated carrots, and a bright citrus twist with a glossy orange glaze. Perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave a sophisticated take on traditional carrot cake.

4.50 from 4 votes

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Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, Mediterranean

Servings 8

Nutrition

Calories: 266kcalCarbohydrates: 29.3gProtein: 4.2gFat: 14.8gSaturated Fat: 1.6gSodium: 82mgFiber: 2.2gSugar: 15.2g

Ingredients

  

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• 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 180^oC 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.

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Keyword baking recipes, gluten-free recipe, homemade dessert, low carb recipe

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Variations

Here are some variations and ideas for different types of carrot cakes with orange glaze:

1. 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.
2. Carrot Bundt Cake with Orange-Bourbon Glaze
   • Bourbon enhances the glaze’s rich flavor.
   • The bundt shape creates an elegant presentation.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.