Carrot Cake Loaf With Cream Cheese Frosting
If you’re a fan of classic carrot cake, you’re going to love this moist and flavorful carrot cake loaf with cream cheese frosting. Packed with warm spices, tender carrots, and crunchy walnuts, it’s perfect for any occasion. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, this loaf is bound to become a favorite in your rotations of desserts.
Carrot cake has always been a family favorite, and this loaf version is a simpler way to enjoy all the goodness of the classic cake. For more dessert inspiration, check out my recipes for Golden Oreo Cake With White Chocolate Ganache, Fresh Peach Pie Bars and Easy Cake Mix Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist and flavorful: Yogurt and olive oil keep this loaf perfectly tender.
- Warm spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg bring a rich, aromatic flavor to the loaf.
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps.
- Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for holidays, picnics, or as a sweet treat any day of the week.
- Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to fit your preferences.
Ingredients
- Eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients together and adding richness to the loaf.
- Organic Dark Brown Sugar: Provides a deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements the warm spices.
- Honey: Adds a touch of natural sweetness and enhances the loaf’s moist texture.
- Plain Yogurt: Keeps the loaf moist while adding a subtle tanginess.
- Olive Oil: Ensures a tender crumb and a slightly fruity undertone.
- Grated Carrots: The star ingredient, offering natural sweetness and moisture while maintaining the loaf’s classic texture.
- All-purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates a tender, fluffy loaf.
- Baking Powder: Helps the loaf rise evenly and achieve a light texture.
- Baking Soda: Works with the yogurt to create a perfect rise and fluffy crumb.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and a hint of spice that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the carrots.
- Ground Ginger: Lends a subtle, zesty kick that balances the flavors.
- Ground Nutmeg: Boosts the spiced profile with its earthy, slightly sweet aroma.
- Chopped Walnuts: Adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the tender loaf.
- Cream Cheese: The base of the frosting, providing a tangy and creamy richness.
- Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting while maintaining a smooth texture.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps create a spreadable consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: Improves the flavor of the frosting with its sweet, aromatic notes.
Substitutions and Additions
- Sweetener: Replace honey with maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
- Flour: Use whole wheat flour for added fiber, but reduce to 1 3/4 cups.
- Yogurt: Substitute plain yogurt with sour cream or milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar.
- Nuts: Swap walnuts for pecans, almonds, or hazelnuts.
- Spices: Add a pinch of cardamom or ground cloves for extra warmth.
Step by Step Instructions
Prepare the Carrot Cake Loaf: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease or line a 9×4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, yogurt, dark brown sugar, eggs, grated carrots, and honey until smooth.
Adding the Dry Ingredients: Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg to the wet mixture. Gently fold until no lumps remain.
Incorporate the Walnuts: Stir in the chopped walnuts, ensuring they’re evenly distributed.
Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick; it should come out clean.
Let the loaf cool completely before frosting.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
Frost the Loaf: Spread the frosting on the cooled loaf. For a firmer frosting, refrigerate it briefly before applying.
Optional: Decorate with additional chopped walnuts.
Tips and Notes
- Adjust the Sweetness: Add an extra 1/2 cup of sugar for a sweeter loaf.
- Use Toasted Nuts: Toast walnuts for a richer flavor before adding them to the batter.
- Change the Carrot Texture: Finely grate the carrots for even moisture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Keep the batter light and fluffy by folding it gently.
- Room Temperature: Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Cooling: Let the loaf cool completely to prevent the frosting from melting.
Serving Suggestions
- Pairings: Serve slices with a cup of chai tea, herbal tea, or freshly brewed coffee.
- Occasions: Great for brunch, tea parties, or as a sweet dessert after lunch or dinner.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store the loaf in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Wrap the unfrosted loaf tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before frosting.
- Reheating: Enjoy slices at room temperature or warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
Carrot Cake Loaf With Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake Loaf
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup organic dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/3 cup plain yogurt
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Carrot Cake Loaf
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Grease or line a loaf pan (9×4 inch) with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, add the olive oil, plain yogurt, dark brown sugar, eggs, grated carrots, and honey.
- Whisk everything together by hand until well combined.
Add the Dry Ingredients
- In the same bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until there are no lumps.
Add the Walnuts
- Stir in the chopped walnuts, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
Bake
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 45-50 minutes.
- Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the loaf; it should come out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely before frosting.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, and vanilla extract.
- Beat well with a whisk until smooth and creamy.
Apply The Frosting
- Once the loaf has cooled, spread the frosting on top. For a firmer frosting, refrigerate it for a few minutes before applying.
- Decorate with additional chopped walnuts if desired.
