Description
A moist, nutty loaf filled with fresh carrots, warm spices, and browned butter, finished with a silky cream cheese icing. Perfect for cozy afternoons or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (226g), browned for nutty depth and richness.
- Brown Sugar: 3/4 cup (150g), adds moisture and deep caramel notes.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup (50g), for a clean, sweet balance.
- Eggs: 3 large, provide structure and richness.
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons, adds warmth and rounds out the flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 3/4 cups (220g), the structural base of the loaf.
- Baking Powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons, for a gentle rise.
- Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon, works with the brown sugar’s acidity to lift.
- Cinnamon: 1 1/2 teaspoons, brings cozy spice.
- Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon, adds a subtle earthy sweetness.
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, balances all the sweetness.
- Carrots: 2 cups finely grated (about 3 medium), moist and sweet.
- Cream Cheese: 4 oz (113g), softened, forms the creamy icing base.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup (120g), sweetens the icing.
- Milk or Cream: 1–2 tablespoons, for smoothing the icing texture.
- Lemon Juice: 1 teaspoon, for a touch of brightness in the icing.
- Optional Chopped Walnuts: 1/2 cup, for a crunchy, nutty bite.
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Combine Ingredients: Brown the butter until golden and nutty. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, whisk eggs, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla. Stir in the cooled butter. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Fold into the wet mix. Stir in carrots (and walnuts if using).
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Assemble the Dish: Tap gently to remove air bubbles and settle batter evenly.
- Cook to Perfection: Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack.
- Finishing Touches: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and lemon juice until smooth. Ice the fully cooled loaf generously.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice, serve, and savor with tea or coffee.
Notes
- Use freshly grated carrots for maximum moisture and flavor.
- Cool loaf completely before icing to avoid melting.
- To freeze, wrap slices individually and store up to 3 months.
- Let refrigerated loaf come to room temp before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: carrot cake loaf, brown butter dessert, cream cheese icing, cozy loaf cake, easy carrot cake, loaf recipes, fall baking, holiday carrot cake