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Carrot cake loaf with cream cheese frosting with pieces cut in fan formation.

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.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

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 (9x4 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.

Notes

Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter loaf, you can add an extra 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Nut Variety: Feel free to use different nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, or pecans for variety in texture and flavor.
Substitute For Yogurt: If you don’t have plain yogurt, you can use sour cream or even milk with a teaspoon of vinegar.
Deeper Flavor: Toasting the nuts slightly before adding them to the batter will give a richer flavor.
Carrot Texture: Make sure the carrots are finely grated so they blend well and add moisture to the loaf.
Remember - Don’t Overmix: After adding the flour, avoid overmixing to keep the loaf light and fluffy.
Ingredient Temperature: For best results, ensure that the eggs and butter for the frosting are at room temperature.
Cooling Time: Let the loaf cool completely before applying the frosting to prevent it from melting.
Extra Spice: You can add a pinch of cardamom or ground cloves for a stronger spice flavor.
Storage: If not eating right away, store the loaf in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting firm.