Gluten-Free Carrot Cake w/ Vanilla Buttercream

Let’s take a moment to talk about carrot cake. Not just any carrot cake, though—this carrot cake. A gluten-free carrot cake that manages to be outrageously moist, tender, and deeply flavorful without the help of gluten, and without even the usual tangle of shredded carrots. This version uses mashed, boiled carrots, a technique that may raise an eyebrow at first, but trust me, it changes the game. Pair that with a billowy, buttery vanilla buttercream and you’ve got a dessert that feels equally at home on an Easter brunch table or at the center of a weekday “just because” celebration. Let's dive deep into the delicious details of this cake—what makes it tick, why it works, and why it might just be the best carrot cake you've never tried.