Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a small springform pan with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl whisk the gluten free flour, spices, baking soda, salt and xanthan gum.
In a stand mixer beat the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar and oil until blended.
Add the eggs, one at a time until batter is smooth.
Slowly add the dry ingredients until batter is blended.
Add the shredded carrots and almonds and mix on low.
Pour batter into springform pan.
Bake in oven for 50-60 minutes.
I allow the variance in times because it took a full 60 minutes for it to bake for me, however I am at a high altitude and a lower altitude would take less time.
Allow cake to cool on a wire rack.
Once cooled, cut cake in 1/2 and icing.
For the dairy free icing I use Tofutti cream cheese which is a dairy free product.
I find this cream cheese substitutes wonderfully for an icing and in fact is beats up quite smoothly.
For this cake I used 2 containers of Tofutti cream cheese, 2 Tbsp softened vegan butter, 1/2 tsp vanilla paste and about 1/2 cup icing sugar.
I am not a big fan of over using icing sugar in icing recipes.