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    Home » Recipes » Home Baking » Home Baking Cakes and Biscuits

    Best Carrot Cake Loaf

    Published: Oct 6, 2022 · Updated: Oct 5, 2022 by Neil 14 Comments

    51 shares
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    Jump to Recipe

    Best carrot cake loaf. With smooth cream cheese icing and a moist texture this delicious and easy to make recipe is just perfect to share!

    Birds eye view of best carrot cake loaf on a bread board with three slices cut away. Plates, grated carrot and chopped nuts arranged as decoration above.

    Easy loaf cake bakes like this best carrot cake loaf recipe are my favourite to create and share!

    For this recipe I used my gluten free carrot and sultana cake recipe and my healthy carrot cake traybake as the base.

    As usual I've tweaked the ingredients to make this a slightly healthier carrot loaf cake recipe with less sugar and no butter compared to other recipes.

    It also has a slightly healthier cream cheese topping.

    But even though it has been made with healthier ingredients in mind, as usual I can absolutely assure you that there is no reduction in it's deliciousness!

    This still has all the flavours you would expect from a classic traditional carrot cake. It's just an easy carrot loaf cake recipe made in a tin!

    A slice of carrot cake loaf on a plate with two forks beside. Dishes of chopped nuts and grated carrots above then the bread board with the rest of the loaf cake on.

    A slice of this carrot cake is just 155 calories.

    I like to keep baking simple and washing up to a minimum so as usual I am using my tried and tested method.

    This carrot loaf cake is just a large bowl of wet and dry simple ingredients mixed together.

    A loaf tin for baking and a bowl of icing sugar mixed with cream cheese.

    There's no need for a stand mixer or hand mixer, just also basic equipment which I've listed below too.

    You'll definitely want to add this delicious loaf cake to your list of favourite bakes.

    And if you enjoyed this then why not check out my other popular loaf cake recipes for you to try in the list below?

    Three slices cut off the end of carrot loaf cake showing insides on a carving board. Dishes of grated carrots and chopped nuts above.
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Step By Step Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • FAQ's
    • More Loaf Cake Recipes For You To Try
    • 📋 Best Carrot Cake Loaf Recipe
    • Nutrition Label
    • Rate The Recipe

    Ingredients

    Best carrot cake loaf ingredients laid out on a table.
    • Carrots
    • Sunflower Oil
    • Eggs
    • Light Soft Brown Sugar
    • Plain Flour
    • Salt
    • Ground Cinnamon
    • Baking Powder
    • Bicarbonate Of Soda
    • Milk
    • Low Fat Cream Cheese
    • Icing Sugar
    • Mixed Chopped Nuts (optional decoration)

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Step By Step Instructions

    Detailed instructions are in the recipe card below. But here is a quick step by step guide of how to make this carrot loaf cake recipe:

    A greased and lined with greaseproof paper in the bottom loaf tin.

    To Make The Cake

    Step 1 & 2

    • Pre-heat oven to 180C FAN.
    • Grease and line loaf tin with greaseproof paper / parchment paper.
    A large mixing bowl with carrots, sunflower oil, eggs and sugar in.

    Step 3

    • In a large mixing bowl, place the grated / shredded carrots, sunflower oil, eggs and sugar.
    A large mixing bowl with the carrots, sunflower oil, eggs and sugar beaten together.

    Step 3 cont.

    • Beat all wet ingredients together.
    A large mixing bowl with dry ingredients flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and milk in.

    Step 4

    • Into the large mixing bowl add the other ingredients. The flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and milk.
    All ingredients in mixing bowl stirred together to create a cake batter.

    Step 4 cont.

    • Stir together the flour mixture to create the cake batter.
    Carrot cake batter poured into loaf tin.

    Step 5

    • Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan.
    Best carrot loaf cake removed from oven and sitting in tin on wire baking rack.

    Step 5 cont.

    • Bake in the centre of oven for about 40 minutes. (Oven temperatures vary so bake time might depend on your oven I can only give a guidance).
    Carrot cake loaf removed from loaf tin and cooling on a wire baking rack.

    Step 6.

    • Remove loaf cake from tin and allow to cool on a wire baking rack.
    Icing sugar and cream cheese in a pyrex mixing bowl.

    To Make The Cream Cheese Topping

    Step 1

    • Make the cream cheese topping. Sift icing sugar and cream cheese into a medium bowl.
    Cream cheese mixture beaten together in pyrex mixing bowl.

    Step 1 cont.

    • Beat icing sugar and cream cheese together.
    Carrot cake iced and decorated with chopped mixed nuts.

    Step 2

    • Spread the icing over the cake and decorate with the chopped mixed nuts.

    Step 3

    • Keep the finished cake in an airtight container in the fridge. Slice as required.

    Substitutions

    • Carrots - fresh carrots are best as their natural sweetness adds to the recipe.
    • Sunflower Oil - needed to make a moist carrot cake loaf. Vegetable oil will also work but don't use olive oil as it may taint the flavour of the cake.
    • Eggs - I use 2 medium sized free range eggs.
    • Light Soft Brown Sugar - you need light brown sugar here. Don't use white sugar.
    • Plain Flour - use only plain/all purpose flour (U.S) here.
    • Salt - ordinary cooking salt is fine.
    • Ground Cinnamon - essential spice for a good carrot cake. Do not omit!
    • Baking Powder - do not omit or substitute with anything else or your cake will not rise.
    • Bicarbonate Of Soda - do not omit or substitute with anything else or your cake will not rise.
    • Milk - I use semi skimmed. As only a small amout is used it doesn't make much difference if you use full fat milk instead.
    • Low Fat Cream Cheese - I use low fat for the icing. You could use full fat but that will alter the nutritional label.
    • Icing Sugar - only use icing sugar / powdered sugar or confectioners’ sugar (U.S) here. 
    • Mixed Chopped Nuts (optional decoration)

    Equipment

    For This Carrot Cake Loaf Recipe You May Need….

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product, I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through, then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    This is the basic loaf tin I use. 

    As you can see it's relatively inexpensive and its perfect for loaf cake recipes.

    Plus it's teflon coated and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

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    FAQ's

    Where Is Carrot Cake From?

    Carrot cake is said to have been developed in Britain during World War 2 where sugar was scarce. Carrots being naturally sweet were used to sweeten baking instead.

    How Do You Store A Loaf Of Carrot Cake?

    It is best stored in an air tight container in the fridge for a maximum of 3-4 days to keep it as fresh as possible.

    Can You Freeze Carrot Cake?

    Yes. It is possible to freeze the actual carrot cake bread loaf part itself without the cream cheese icing on.

    More Loaf Cake Recipes For You To Try

    Lighter Lemon Loaf Cake
    Lighter lemon loaf cake is such a delicious and easy cake to make. It's based on Starbucks lemon loaf cake but with with less calories and fat.
    Check out this recipe
    Lighter lemon loaf cake is such a delicious and easy cake to make. It's based on Starbucks lemon loaf cake so if you love that but want a version with less calories and fat then this is for you! 
    Cherry Bakewell Loaf Cake
    Cherry bakewell loaf cake is an easy and delicious budget cake with all the flavours of a bakewell tart. Topped with a layer of icing sugar it's perfect for sharing with friends.
    Check out this recipe
    Cherry bakewell loaf cake is an easy and delicious budget cake with all the flavours of a bakewell tart. Topped with a layer of icing sugar it's perfect for sharing with friends.
    Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Cake
    Lemon blueberry yogurt cake is a really easy healthy Greek yogurt cake recipe. It's delicious, moist and fluffy.
    Check out this recipe
    Lemon blueberry yogurt cake is a really easy healthy Greek yogurt cake recipe. It's delicious, moist and fluffy. This loaf cake is just packed full of blueberry and lemony goodness and is perfect for an afternoon treat or sharing with friends!
    Birds eye view of best carrot cake loaf on a bread board with three slices cut away. Plates, grated carrot and chopped nuts arranged as decoration above.
    Print Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    5 from 6 votes

    📋 Best Carrot Cake Loaf Recipe

    Best carrot cake loaf. With smooth cream cheese icing and a moist texture this delicious and easy to make recipe is just perfect to share!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time40 mins
    Course: Home Baking
    Cuisine: British
    Servings: 15 slices
    Calories: 155kcal
    Author: Neil

    The following links and any links in the recipe card below are affiliate links.

    This means that if you click on it and then buy that product I’ll get a small commission (at no extra cost to you of course).

    If you do click through then thanks for being a part of Neil’s Healthy Meals!

    Equipment

    • Loaf tin
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Pyrex mixing glass bowl
    • Kitchen scale
    • Measuring jug
    • Measuring spoons
    • Peeler
    • Grater
    • Wooden spoon
    • Palette knife
    • Wire baking rack

    Ingredients

    For The Cake: -

    • 200 g peeled and grated carrots
    • 50 ml sunflower oil
    • 2 medium sized eggs
    • 100 g light soft brown sugar
    • 225 g plain flour
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
    • 3 tablespoon milk

    For The Cream Cheese Topping: -

    • 200 g low fat cream cheese.
    • 2 tablespoon icing sugar
    • Mixed Chopped Nuts optional decoration*
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    For The Cake: -

    • Pre-heat oven to 180C FAN / 350F / Gas Mark 4
    • Lightly grease a loaf tin. Cut out and line the base with a piece of greaseproof paper.
    • In a large mixing bowl, place the carrots, sunflower oil, eggs and sugar. Beat them together.
    • To the large mixing bowl stir in the flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and milk to create a batter.
    • Pour the batter into the loaf tin and bake in the centre of an oven for about 35-40 minutes. Check the cake is cooked by inserting a skewer into the centre. It should come out clean.
    • Once cooled, put the loaf tin on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Then turn out the cake, remove the piece of greaseproof paper from the bottom and allow to cool further.

    For The Cream Cheese Topping: -

    • While the cake is cooling make the cream cheese topping. Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and stir in the cream cheese. Beat well together.
    • Once the cake has cooled completely, spread the topping all over the top using a palate knife and decorate with the chopped mixed nuts.
    • Keep the finished cake in an airtight container. Slice as required.
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Notes

    *Optional and not included in the nutritional label.
    The loaf cake makes approximately 15 slices.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 155kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 218mg | Potassium: 159mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2338IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 58mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutrition Label

    Nutritional information provided below is calculated using paid for online tools and the exact ingredients and quantities used above.

    Nutrition Facts
    📋 Best Carrot Cake Loaf
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 155 Calories from Fat 54
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 6g9%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Trans Fat 0.002g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
    Monounsaturated Fat 3g
    Cholesterol 29mg10%
    Sodium 218mg9%
    Potassium 159mg5%
    Carbohydrates 22g7%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 9g10%
    Protein 4g8%
    Vitamin A 2338IU47%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 58mg6%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Rate The Recipe

    If you’ve made this best carrot cake loaf recipe, or any other recipes on Neil's Healthy Meals, then please let me know.

    I’d love to hear what you think of my recipe in the comments below and please do rate my recipe 5* if you like it! 🙂

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sherry

      October 06, 2022 at 9:47 am

      5 stars
      i do love carrot cake but i probably love the icing more! :=) I would have to use full fat cream cheese - sorry 🙂

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 06, 2022 at 12:25 pm

        No need to apologise Sherry! The option is always there to use whatever ingredients you want! 🙂

        Reply
    2. David @ Spiced

      October 06, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      5 stars
      As soon as I saw carrot cake, you had my attention! I do love carrot cake, and I'd love to try out your version sometime soon. Looks delicious, Neil!!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 06, 2022 at 2:29 pm

        Thank you David! Yep it's definitely delicious and that I would recommend you try! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Michelle

      October 07, 2022 at 12:40 am

      5 stars
      Such serendipitous timing! My mom left me a huge bag of carrots -- looks like I'll have to give your recipe a try!! Looks delish!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 07, 2022 at 5:23 am

        Now you have no excuse to give this recipe a try Michelle! Ha Ha! Thank you and hope you enjoy it!

        Reply
    4. Kelly | Foodtasia

      October 07, 2022 at 3:33 am

      5 stars
      A beautiful loaf cake, Neil! The cream cheese icing is swoon-worthy!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 07, 2022 at 5:24 am

        I don't think a carrot cake is a carrot cake without some delicious cream cheese icing on top. Sounds like you agree Kelly! Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Chef Mimi

      October 07, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      5 stars
      This looks fantastic! And it’s healthy!

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 08, 2022 at 6:39 am

        Thanks Mimi! I would say it's "healthyish". But definitely healthier than a lot of other similar recipes out there. Thanks for your comment and I hope you are well!

        Reply
    6. Linger, Kristy Murray

      October 12, 2022 at 12:27 am

      5 stars
      I absolutely love how simple this carrot cake loaf is but also that you have made it healthier and with all the flavor and deliciousness of a regular carrot cake. And there is nothing better than cream cheese icing that tops the cake. Thanks so much for sharing, Neil. It's such a perfect recipe for the season.

      Reply
      • Neil

        October 12, 2022 at 5:45 am

        I tried to make it as simple as possible Kristy, with all the same flavours of a regular carrot cake. So far I've getting positive emails about it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Hope you are well!

        Reply
    7. Monika

      December 06, 2022 at 3:26 pm

      Hi! Is the loaf pan an 8' x 4' or a 9' x 5'? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Neil

        December 06, 2022 at 3:45 pm

        Hi. It's the one in the equipment list which is 6.1D x 9.4W x 2.5H.

        Reply

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