Carrot Cake Loaf

One of my favorite desserts is carrot cake (and it must be yours, too, as I get asked for my carrot cake recipe more than any other!).  But, I have to admit that it’s a bit of work…layers, filling, frosting (definitely worth it, though!).  Sometimes, however, I just want that yummy carrot cake without a lot of time and effort.

Drumroll, please…here it is!  And, this is a nut-free recipe, so that any of you that are in the “no nuts in carrot cake” camp, this one’s for you (I believe we addressed the “no raisins in carrot cake” folks previously)!

Carrot Cake Loaf

So, enjoy this spiced carrot loaf topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting!  It is easy, moist and totally adorable, in my humble opinion!

Carrot Cake Loaf

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Lastly, if you make Carrot Cake Loaf, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is one of my favorite things to do!

Carrot Cake Loaf

Makes: 8-10 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Bake Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour & 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Loaves:

  • 2 & 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 & 1/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 & 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1 pound whole carrots, peeled
  • 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 & 1/2 cups vegetable oil

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tbsp butter, softened
  • 3 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Green and orange food coloring (optional)

Instructions

For the Loaves:

Grease and flour two 9 x 5-inch loaf pans. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Whisk thoroughly to combine.

In a food processor with grater/shredder attachment, process the carrots until shredded. Pour into medium bowl and set aside. (Recommend grating your own carrots. The pre-grated variety at the store are typically too thick to use in carrot cake and don’t soften adequately as the cake bakes).

Wipe out food processor and fit with standard metal attachment. Add white sugar, brown sugar, and eggs. Process until mixture is thoroughly combined.

Next, with food processor running, drizzle oil into the sugar/egg mixture until mixture is thick and emulsified. About 30 seconds.

Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients, using a spatula to scrape as much of the liquid ingredients as you can from the food processor.

Whisk dry ingredients and wet ingredients together until combined. Mixture will be very thick. Fold carrots into the batter using your spatula. Distribute batter evenly between 2 loaf pans.

Bake for about 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

Using hand mixer, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until fluffy. Add powdered sugar, a ½ cup at a time, until smooth. Mix in vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. Pipe or spread onto cooled carrot cake loaves.

Optional Decoration:

Separate two ¼ cup portions of frosting into separate bowls. Add a few drops of orange and green food coloring into each bowl and mix, adjusting colors to your preference. Spoon dyed frosting into small ziplock bags, and cut a tiny opening in the corner of each bag.

Gently pipe carrot designs all over the top of the cake, as desired. Carrots are made by squeezing a blob of orange frosting then quickly drawing the frosting in a downward motion. Add “leaves” by making 1-2 small dots on the top of the orange “carrot.”

Ingredients

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    Recipe Reviews

    Avarage Rating:
    • 5 / 5
    Total Reviews:( 1 )
    • Daron

      Super cake and easy to make as there is no fuss with layers or fancy frosting! The cake is moist and flavorful and the frosting is not overly sweet!

      • Francine

        I’m so glad you enjoyed this loaf cake, Daron! I’m a big fan as well!

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