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Carrot Cake Loaf

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  • Author: Lisa
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8-10 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Carrot Cake Loaf is moist, spiced, and full of sweet grated carrots, making it a comforting treat for breakfast, snack, or dessert. Topped with optional cream cheese frosting, it’s a simpler twist on the classic carrot cake.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
  • 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (for frosting, optional)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened (for frosting, optional)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting, optional)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting, optional)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  4. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in grated carrots, walnuts/pecans, and raisins if using.
  6. Pour batter into loaf pan and smooth the top.
  7. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
  8. Cool loaf in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  9. If making frosting, beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth.
  10. Once loaf is completely cool, frost with cream cheese mixture. Slice and serve.

Notes

Enhance spices with extra cinnamon or a pinch of cloves for deeper flavor.Add shredded coconut or crystallized ginger for texture and taste.Make dairy-free by using vegan cream cheese and butter substitutes.Skip frosting for a lighter loaf, or dust with powdered sugar instead.Can also be made as cupcakes or in a bundt pan with adjusted bake times.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of loaf with frosting)
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 26g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 16g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Find it online: https://lisarecipe.com/carrot-cake-loaf/