These Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies are:
- soft and chewy
- fruity and fragrant
- healthy enough for breakfast!
Who loves carrot cake? I definitely do – I’ve made a tropical carrot cake, carrot cake cupcakes, carrot cake mug cake, and even a purple carrot cake. Now, I think it’s time for Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies!
These cookies are packed full of energy, surprisingly filling, easily transportable and keep for a good few days. This means they’re a great make-ahead breakfast or afternoon snack, though they can also be enjoyed for dessert.
The base of these cookies was inspired by my Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – they’re made using a mixture of ground almonds and rolled oats.
The ground almonds act as a binding ingredient and help make the cookies soft and fluffy, whilst also adding protein. Oats create a chewy texture, and add fibre to make the cookies more filling.
A touch of desiccated coconut adds nutty sweetness, whilst walnuts add an earthiness that compliments the warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
The carrots and raisins provide a good source of natural sweetness. If you’re not into raisins, you can substitute them with any other dried fruit, such as chopped dried mango, pineapple, papaya, figs or dates.
To keep these cookies completely free from added sugar, you can leave out the maple syrup, as the carrots and raisins are already quite sweet.
For more delicious vegan and gluten-free cookies, check out my:
- Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
- Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.
Helpful tools to make these Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies:
box grater
glass mixing bowl
measuring jug
rectangular baking tray
baking paper
Gluten-Free Vegan Carrot Cake Cookies
Ingredients
- 30 g (1/8 cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice (or a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 100 g (3.5oz) carrots, grated (one medium-sized carrot)
- 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
- 25 g (1/4 cup) walnuts, roughly chopped
- 60 g (1/2 cup) ground almonds* (almond meal)
- 150 g (1 1/2 cup) rolled oats (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
- 100 g (2/3 cup) raisins
- 250 ml (1 cup) unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
- Place the coconut oil in a large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil)
- Once melted, add all the other ingredients to the same bowl
- Mix well, adding a tiny splash more milk if it’s looking too dry
- Take a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and use your hands to form it into little patties
- Lay it out onto a baking tray lined with greased baking paper
- Repeat until the rest of the batter is used up - you should be able to make 16 cookies
- Bake in the oven for around 15 minutes until golden brown
- Leave to cool completely before storing in an airtight container - keeps for a good few days
Notes
almond flourDisclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you click through and purchase any of the products, a small percentage will come to me, with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.
Dawn Taylor
Thank you for you lovely and helpful blog. I’m especially interested in trying Miso recipes. When the snow drifts melt I am off to the shop. I’ll let you know how I get on ❤️
Rhian Williams
Yay thank you so much, happy to hear that! Hope you love what you try!
Buycialis
Hi Claire, You could sub it for desiccated coconut, ground up finely in a food processor or coffee grinder or simply use more flour. I”m guessing (as I haven”t tried making it without almond meal) that 50 g of extra flour will do as flour is more absorbent than almond meal. Hope that helps! Ania
Jenny
Sweet and delicious 🙂
Rhian Williams
Thank you Jenny!
Livy
These were AMAZING! The best healthy snack!
Rhian Williams
Thank you!
mary
Are you sure the baking time is only 15 minutes?? I have had mine in for about 30 minutes and they still don’t look done.
Rhian Williams
Yes mine were done in 15 minutes, though ovens can vary. Don’t worry if they’re still a little soft when they come out, as they firm up whilst cooling. Hope yours turn out ok!