Imagine the warm, spiced scent of freshly baked carrot cake bread recipe filling your kitchen—it’s pure comfort in loaf form. This easy carrot cake bread recipe captures everything you love about classic carrot cake but with less effort and more versatility. Moist, perfectly sweet, and packed with freshly grated carrots, cinnamon, and optional add-ins like walnuts or raisins, every slice of this carrot cake bread recipe is a cozy delight. Whether you need a quick breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a lightly sweet treat, this carrot cake bread recipe is the perfect balance of flavor and simplicity.
Why This Carrot Bread Stands Out
This carrot cake bread recipe delivers the perfect blend of wholesome ingredients and indulgent flavor. With less sugar and oil than traditional carrot cake, it relies on the natural sweetness of carrots to keep every bite moist and delicious. Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile—enjoy it plain for a nutritious breakfast or add a layer of cream cheese frosting for a dessert-worthy treat.
Made in just one bowl with minimal effort, this recipe is as simple as it is satisfying. A quick mix, about an hour in the oven, and you have a loaf that stays fresh for days or freezes beautifully for later. Perfect for meal prep or whenever you crave a slice of cozy goodness!
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Ingredients
The Carrot Cake Bread:
- All-purpose flour - provides structure to the bread
- Baking soda - helps the bread rise properly
- Baking powder - creates a lighter texture
- Salt - balances the sweetness
- Ground cinnamon - the classic carrot cake spice
- Ground nutmeg - adds warmth and depth
- Ground ginger - gives a subtle spicy note
- Brown sugar - adds moisture and caramel notes
- Granulated sugar - provides sweetness and structure
- Vegetable oil - keeps the bread moist
- Unsweetened applesauce - reduces fat while maintaining moisture
- Large eggs - binds everything together
- Vanilla extract - enhances flavor
- Freshly grated carrots - the star ingredient!
- Chopped walnuts (optional) - adds crunch and healthy fats
- Raisins (optional) - provides chewy sweetness
Optional Cream Cheese Frosting:
- Cream cheese, softened - creates that tangy, creamy base
- Butter, softened - adds richness
- Powdered sugar - sweetens without graininess
- Vanilla extract - deepens flavor
- Salt - balances sweetness
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Mix the Batter
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together all dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger).
- In another bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (sugars, oil, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla).
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed, then fold in grated carrots and optional nuts or raisins.
Bake the Bread
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cover loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly.
Cool and Serve
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- If desired, top with cream cheese frosting (beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth).
- Slice and enjoy!
- Mixing the Batter: Whisk dry and wet ingredients separately, then combine and fold in carrots
- Baking the Bread : Pour the batter into a loaf pan and bake until a toothpick comes out clean
- Cooling and Serving: Let the bread cool, then slice and serve plain or with frosting.
Equipment For Delicious Carrot Cake Bread Recipe
- Box grater - A four-sided grater makes quick work of the carrots
- Parchment paper - Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier
- 9x5-inch loaf pan - The ideal size for this recipe
- Kitchen thermometer - Takes the guesswork out of doneness
- Cooling rack - Allows air to circulate for proper cooling
If you bake often, a digital kitchen scale is worth the investment for more consistent results.
Expert Baking Tips
- Don't overmix the batter - Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep the bread tender.
- Squeeze out excess moisture from the grated carrots if they seem particularly wet.
- Use a kitchen scale for measuring flour (about 240g) for the most accurate results.
- Grate your own carrots instead of using pre-shredded. They're fresher and moister.
- Let the eggs come to room temperature before adding them to the batter for better incorporation.
- Check for doneness early - Start checking at 50 minutes as ovens vary.
Substitutions
- Flour: Swap up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier loaf
- Sugar: Reduce sugar to ½ cup total and add ¼ cup honey for a different sweetness profile
- Oil: Use melted coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for subtle coconut flavor
- Eggs: For egg allergies, try ¼ cup unsweetened yogurt per egg
- Mix-ins: Try pecans instead of walnuts, or add ¼ cup shredded coconut or crushed pineapple (drained well)
- Spices: Add ¼ teaspoon cardamom or allspice for more complex flavor
Recipe Variations
Healthy Carrot Bread
- Replace all sugar with coconut sugar
- Use 100% whole wheat pastry flour
- Add 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- Skip the frosting and top with a sprinkle of oats before baking
Spiced Carrot Cake Bread
- Double the cinnamon and add ¼ teaspoon cloves
- Add 2 tablespoons molasses to the wet ingredients
- Use dark brown sugar instead of light
- Top with a simple cinnamon-sugar mixture before baking
Carrot Cake Banana Bread
- Reduce carrots to 1 cup
- Add 2 ripe mashed bananas to the wet ingredients
- Reduce sugar by ¼ cup (bananas add sweetness)
- Add ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Gluten-Free Carrot Bread
- Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
- Add ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend doesn't include it
- Let the batter rest for 10 minutes before baking
Storage & Meal Prep
Counter Storage
- Store unfrosted bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- If frosted, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing Instructions
- Wrap cooled, unfrosted bread tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for a few hours at room temperature.
- Individual slices can be frozen between layers of parchment paper for quick defrosting.
Make-Ahead Tips
- Grate carrots up to 3 days ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Mix dry ingredients up to a week ahead and store in an airtight container.
My Grandmother’s Secret Touch
There’s something special about the way my grandmother made carrot bread—warm, fragrant, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Her secret? Toasting the spices. Before mixing them in, she’d gently warm the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a dry skillet, coaxing out their rich, aromatic oils. It was a small step, but it made all the difference—turning a simple loaf into something unforgettable. The moment that first slice hits your tongue, you’ll understand why this trick has been passed down for generations. Try it once, and you’ll never make carrot bread any other way!
FAQ
What is the difference between carrot cake and carrot bread?
Carrot cake bread recipe is typically sweeter, richer, and almost always frosted with cream cheese icing. Carrot bread has a more bread-like texture, less sugar, and is often enjoyed unfrosted as a breakfast or snack option. The spice profile is similar, but carrot bread usually contains fewer mix-ins like nuts, raisins, or pineapple than traditional carrot cake.
What is a carrot cake bomb?
A carrot cake bomb is a decadent dessert creation where carrot cake is crumbled, mixed with cream cheese frosting, rolled into balls, and then dipped in white chocolate or candy coating. These bite-sized treats concentrate all the flavors of carrot cake into one rich, portable dessert perfect for parties and gatherings.
Why does carrot cake use oil instead of butter?
Carrot cake bread recipe uses oil instead of butter because oil creates a moister texture that lasts longer without drying out. The neutral flavor of vegetable oil allows the carrots, spices, and mix-ins to shine through more prominently. Oil also makes the batter easier to mix and results in a more tender crumb since it coats flour proteins, preventing gluten formation.
Can you make carrot cake in a bread maker?
Yes, you can make Carrot Cake Bread Recipe or carrot bread in a bread maker, but with modifications. Use the "quick bread" or "cake" setting, not the yeast bread cycle. For best results, add shredded carrots and mix-ins like nuts or raisins during the last mix cycle or "add ingredients" beep to prevent them from breaking down too much during the extended mixing process.
Bake, Savor, and Share the Joy
This Carrot cake bread recipe bread isn’t just a recipe; it’s a warm hug in loaf form. With its perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and tender texture, it’s a treat you’ll find yourself making again and again. Whether you enjoy it fresh from the oven, dressed up with frosting, or toasted with a pat of butter, one thing’s for sure; it won’t last long!
Ready to explore more irresistible bread recipes? Try our Fluffy Japanese Milk Bread Recipe for an ultra-soft, pillowy loaf or bake up our Homemade Bread Bowl Recipe for the perfect cozy meal. Let me know in the comments; how did your carrot bread turn out? Happy baking!
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Pairing
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Carrot Cake Bread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x5-inch loaf pan Grease with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- 1 Box grater For grating fresh carrots.
- 1 Cooling rack For proper cooling after baking.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups All-purpose Flour Spoon and level for accurate measurement.
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda . Helps the bread rise
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder Ensures a lighter texture.
- ½ teaspoon Salt Balances sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon Adds warmth.
- ¼ teaspoon Ground nutmeg For depth of flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon Ground ginger Adds subtle spice.
- ¾ cup Brown sugar Adds moisture.
- ½ cup Granulated sugar For sweetness.
- ½ cup Vegetable oil Keeps the bread moist.
- ¼ cup Unsweetened applesauce Reduces fat while adding moisture.
- 2 Large Eggs . Binds the ingredients together
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract Enhances flavor.
- 2 cups Freshly grated carrots Freshly grated for moisture.
- ½ cup Chopped walnuts optional Optional mix-in for crunch.
- ½ cup Raisins optional Optional mix-in for sweetness.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), and prepare loaf pan with cooking spray and parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger) in a large bowl.
- Whisk wet ingredients (sugars, oil, applesauce, eggs, vanilla) in a separate bowl.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just mixed, fold in grated carrots and optional mix-ins.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, checking with a toothpick for doneness.
- Cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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