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carrot cake loaf cake slice on a plate with a fork

Carrot Cake Loaf Cake (with Optional Frosting!)

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Carrot cake lovers have got to try this carrot cake loaf cake! This carrot loaf cake is super moist thanks to a combination of oil and applesauce (making it naturally dairy-free!). I’ve topped it with an optional cream cheese frosting, but it tastes just as good on its own!
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Diet Low Lactose, Vegetarian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Bake 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 16 slices
Calories 234
Author Gabby Kislanko

Equipment

Ingredients

Carrot Cake Loaf

  • ½ cup sunflower oil, canola oil, or grapeseed oil
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1½ cup grated carrots
  • 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional)

  • 2 Tablespoons butter, softened (regular or vegan)
  • 2 oz cream cheese, softened (regular or vegan)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1½ cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Carrot Cake Loaf

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 8x4 loaf pan or 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over the sides to make it easy to remove the loaf later.
  • In a large mixing bowl, use a whisk or a mixer to mix together the oil, brown sugar, and white sugar until combined. Mix in the eggs, applesauce, and vanilla extract.
  • Grate the carrots then stir them in with the wet ingredients.
  • In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and spices together and whisk. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and mix until combined.
  • Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the loaf comes out clean. Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then gently remove the loaf from the pan to finish cooling completely on the cooling rack.
  • While the loaf cools, make the cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In a medium bowl, use a mixer to beat the butter, vanilla extract, and cream cheese until combined.
  • Slowly add in the powdered sugar and mix. Refrigerate while you wait for the loaf to finish cooling. Once the loaf has cooled completely, spread the frosting on top of the loaf, then slice and enjoy.

Notes

Measuring Flour and Cocoa Powder: Properly measure your flour and cocoa powder using either a kitchen scale or the scoop and level method.
Optional: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, or raisins to the batter if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 2152IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg