Shredded carrots and chunks of apples are the main flavors in this moist loaf cake that is later glazed with a vanilla-cinnamon icing. Loaf cakes are easy to make and make your house smell AMAZING while it’s baking up. Eat this for breakfast or as a snack…I mean it’s kind of healthy since there’s carrots and apples in it, right?!
I feel like this loaf cake is more of a “spring” recipe, but the cinnamon and nutmeg in it also felt like a much needed warm hug during these cold winter months. So I am giving you this recipe now. People who don’t blog don’t know it, but us bloggers are always making recipes WELL ahead of whatever holiday or season it is. It is January and I just made some Eggnog Scones that I can’t wait to share with you, but alas. I am saving it until next November or December to post. And I already feel like I am behind in coming up with recipes to share for Valentine’s Day!
But back to this loaf cake. So I am the official family baker, which means I make everyones birthday cake (or dessert of choice) to celebrate their birthday when we all get together. My mom and brother-in-law usually always ask for carrot cake. Since we were celebrating my moms birthday at a restaurant, I went with my carrot cake cupcakes just because they were easier to serve and eat. Here’s a picture of me and my sweet niece Abi…with mom’s cupcakes hehehe.
Ok…you are probably asking yourself what does this have to do with this loaf cake?? Well I had leftover grated carrots after making the carrot cake cupcakes, and I just didn’t want to throw them away, so I grabbed a couple Granny Smith apples that I had on hand and made this loaf cake. So good!!
And no loaf cake is complete without a nice glaze of icing on top!
Carrot Apple Loaf Cake with Vanilla-Cinnamon Icing
Print RecipeIngredients
- CARROT APPLE LOAF CAKE:
- 1/3 cup oil (I used canola oil)
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1/4 cup vanilla greek yogurt, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used Rodelle Baker's Extract)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
- 1 cup finely diced apples (approximately 2 peeled and cored Granny Smith apples)
- VANILLA-CINNAMON ICING:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons warm water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used Rodelle Baker's Extract)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350-degrees and line a metal 9x5-inch loaf pan with foil. Spray the bottom and sides of the pan with baking spray and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, affixed with the paddle attachment, add the oil, brown sugar and white sugar. Mix on medium-high speed until well combined. Change the mixer to low speed and slowly add the egg , greek yogurt and vanilla extract. Mix on medium-high until creamy. Change the mixer back to low speed and add the cinnamon, nutmeg, salt flour, baking powder and baking soda. Mix until just combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in the carrots and diced apples to the batter.
Pour batter into prepared pan and bake in 350-degree oven for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out without any batter on it. Allow cake to set and cool in the pan for 20-minutes before transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Once loaf cake has cooled completely, prepare the icing.
VANILLA-CINNAMON ICING: In a medium bowl, stir together the melted butter, powdered sugar, water, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Add more water or more powdered sugar to reach desired consistency. Pour and spread icing on top of cooled loaf cake. Allow the icing to set before cutting into desired sized slices.
Notes
Store loaf cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
A slice of of this cake is full of apple chunks and sweet carrot flavor (without actually really chewing carrots)…definitely make this loaf cake and then let me know what ya think!
XOXO,
Kelly
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2 Comments
thegardeningfoodie
January 21, 2020 at 4:57 AMThis is such a great combination for a loaf cake Kelly and it looks so good too. Thank you for the delicious recipe:)
Sharon Weiner
March 7, 2020 at 1:04 PMlooks great, any chance of just a crumb or nut topping instead of the icing