Carrot Cake Loaf Cake

Name: Carrot Cake Loaf Cake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; ¼ tsp nutmeg; ½ tsp cloves; ½ tsp salt; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; 3 carrots (peeled and grated (about 1 ½ cups)); ½ cup coconut oil (melted); ½ cup granulated sugar; ½ cup brown sugar; Zest of an orange; 2 eggs (at room temp); 1 tsp vanilla extract; ⅓ cup yogurt; ½ cup chopped walnuts; 1/2 cup raisins; 8 oz cream cheese (at room temp); 2 tbsp unsalted butter (at room temp); 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of salt

This deliciously moist Carrot Cake Loaf Cake is easy to make and even easier to scarf down! Made with freshly grated carrots and flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this loaf is perfect for Easter and all other springtime gatherings. Fold in some walnuts and raisins, then slather it in cream cheese frosting, and voila! Get ready to fall in love!

a slice of carrot loaf cake on a blue and white plate beside a fork with whole carrots on the table cloth around it

Why You’ll Love This Carrot Cake Loaf Cake

There’s nothing like a dense, moist carrot cake to turn my frown upside down! Each bite is so rich and delicious, and with this cream cheese frosting, it’s creamy too.

I love making this recipe into a loaf cake because I can either add frosting and enjoy it as a dessert, or leave it off and eat cake for breakfast every morning. I look forward to waking up with a good slice of spiced loaf cake with a cup of warm coffee waiting for me.

This recipe is so easy, too. All you have to do is mix the dry ingredients, mix the wet ingredients, combine them, and then fold in your mix-ins. Next thing you know, you’ll be enjoying a delightful springtime treat!

Looking for more carrot cake? Try these Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls!

Ingredients

eggs, brown sugar, white sugar, flour, carrots, spices, raisins, walnuts, etc to make carrot cake

This carrot cake loaf recipe is all about the moisture and spice! Freshly grated carrots and a mixture of white and brown sugars perfectly balance this cake’s density to become everything you’ve ever wanted, and the spice adds a warming flavor you can’t get enough of. Here are all the ingredients you’ll need:

Carrot Cake Ingrdients

All-purpose flour
Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
Salt
Baking powder
Baking soda
Carrots: Peeled and grated
Coconut oil: Melted
Sugar: Granulated sugar and brown sugar
Orange zest
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Yogurt
Chopped walnuts
Raisins

Carrot Cake Cream Cheese Frosting

Cream cheese
Unsalted butter
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

How to Make a Carrot Cake Loaf

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a loaf tin with parchment paper or spray it with baking spray.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking powder, and baking soda until well combined. Set this aside.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients + Combine with Dry

In a separate mixing bowl, add coconut oil, sugars, vanilla extract, yogurt, and eggs. Whisk this together until just combined. Add this wet mixture to the dry ingredients and fold them together until the batter is just combined and lumpy.

Step 4: Add Mix-Ins

Add the chopped walnuts, carrots, and raisins if you’re using them. Fold the batter together gently once more.

add mix-ins and put it the batter in the loaf tin

Step 5: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove and cool for 20-30 minutes before removing it from the tin and frosting.

Step 6: Make Frosting

In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until it’s smooth and creamy. Spread a layer of frosting over the top of the loaf cake and enjoy!

a slice of carrot cake cut in half with a whole one underneath it

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Make sure you use room temperature ingredients for both the cake and frosting! It’s crucial when it comes to texture and the way everything mixes and bakes.
Before grating, peel the carrots and discard the outer peel. It can be bitter and tough, which you don’t want in your loaf cake.
Grate your own carrots, don’t get pre-grated from the grocery store. Freshly grated is more moisture-rich.
Feel free to use your own mix-ins! If you don’t like walnuts and raisins, try things like shredded coconut or dried cranberries.
Add some of your mix-ins to the top of the cake for presentation and added flavor/texture.
Allow your loaf to cool completely before frosting!
And if you don’t want this cake to be super sweet and dessert-y, don’t use the frosting. It’s perfect all on its own!

FAQs

Can I make carrot loaf cake ahead?

Yes, you can make it up to a day ahead of time. Just loosely cover and refrigerate it, then allow it to warm a little bit at room temperature before serving.

Does carrot cake need to be refrigerated?

It sure does! The cream cheese frosting means any leftovers need to be stored in the refrigerator. This carrot loaf cake will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Elizabeth holding a slice of carrot loaf in front of bowls of raisins and walnuts with a carrot on the left side

More Springtime Cake Recipes You’ll Love

If you make this Carrot Cake Loaf Cake, be sure to tag me on Pinterest and Instagram!

I seriously love seeing what you guys are making and sharing your creations with the Everyday Elizabeth community!