Carrot Cake Loaf (Quick Bread)
This Carrot Cake Loaf is a quick bread that's dense, soft, and flavored with spices, perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- Loaf Pan
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- Electric mixer
- Cooling Rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned & leveled
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.75 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
- 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cups vegetable oil canola or melted coconut oil
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 cups packed brown sugar light or dark
- 0.33 cups unsweetened applesauce or yogurt, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups peeled and shredded carrots about 3 large carrots
- 0.75 cups optional add-in chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, or dried cranberries
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)
- 4 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg together in a large bowl until combined. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, eggs, brown sugar, applesauce, vanilla, and carrots together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently whisk until just combined. Fold in the nuts/add-in.
- Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 55 – 65 minutes, loosely covering with aluminum foil halfway through to prevent heavy browning. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack before removing and frosting.
- For the optional frosting, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then add the butter and combine. Add the sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt, then beat until smooth. Frost cooled bread, slice, and serve.
- Store leftover bread covered at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for about 10 days.
Notes
Alternative fruits for applesauce include mashed banana or crushed pineapple. Freshly grate carrots for best results.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 220kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 3gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 150mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 5000IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1mg
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