Easy, simple and straight forward, this carrot cake loaf is a perfect everyday spice cake just loaded with flavour. Filled to the brim with nuts, this cake loaf is delicious on it’s own or with a frosting. I adore it with a buttery cinnamon streusel!
I feel like spice cakes, more specifically carrot cakes, have no season. They can be enjoyed throughout the year and are adored by many. I love carrot cake and can eat it in any shape or form. I adore it the classic way, smothered in cream cheese frosting, but even a simpler version can satisfy those cravings.
This carrot cake loaf is just like that. A simpler version of a classic carrot cake with almost half the time and effort an actual carrot cake would take.
This recipe is similar to my Autumn Spice Cake and these Gingerbread Muffins. It’s an easy, no mixer required recipe that can be whipped up in minutes and is pretty much failproof.
Key Ingredients
- Spices: I used cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg but feel free to add any spices you like such as cloves or cardamom.
- Soft brown sugar: please do not leave this out. Brown sugar is a key ingredient to this cake, probably the most important one.
- Applesauce: you can use either homemade or store bought just make sure to use it. It adds so much texture to the cake, I love it!
- Carrots: make sure to grate your own carrots. The moisture in freshly grated carrots is key to the cake’s texture.
- Walnuts: this may not seem like a must have but it totally seals the deal of this cake. Just a small amount but makes a world of a difference so please do include. Pecans can be used instead or even a mixture of both.
- Raisins/dried cranberries: these are optional but can definitely be tossed into the batter. Same goes with coconut. If you like that flavour combination with carrot cake, go ahead and add in some desiccated or shredded coconut with the dry ingredients.
Toppings
- Streusel: I use a delicious buttery cinnamon streusel to top this loaf. Super easy to make and adds soo much extra flavour.
- Cream cheese glaze: this carrot cake loaf if just as delicious with a simple cream cheese glaze, slathered on top while the cake is still warm. Cream cheese and carrot cake is a match made in heaven.
- Caramel: I love the combo of carrot cake and caramel, just drizzle some on top of the cake or on each slice once you cut and serve the cake.
- Powdered sugar: of course if you want to leave out frosting altogether and top with a dusting of powdered sugar, that would be great too.
The cake is also just perfect on its own without anything added! Feel free to play around with the add-ins and toppings. I would suggest to make the cake for the first time as written in the recipe card below, then make any adjustments.
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