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Cozy Apple Carrot Bread with Easy Cream Cheese Frosting

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A tender, spiced quick bread made with grated apple and carrot, topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. Perfect for fall baking, breakfast, or dessert.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (120g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 cup (about 2 medium carrots) finely grated carrots
  • 1 cup (about 1 medium apple) finely grated apple (firm sweet-tart variety like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith)
  • 4 oz (113g) block cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and applesauce until smooth.
  4. Fold in grated carrots and grated apple. The mixture will be loose.
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and fold gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. If top browns too quickly, tent with foil after 40 minutes.
  7. Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using parchment and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before frosting.
  8. For frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat until combined. Add 1 tablespoon milk and beat; add more milk for thinner consistency. Spread over cooled loaf.

Notes

For clean slices, refrigerate frosted loaf for 20 minutes before cutting. Squeeze excess liquid from grated apple to prevent soggy bread. Use room temperature eggs for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: apple carrot bread, cream cheese frosting, fall baking, quick bread, one bowl, easy recipe

Find it online: https://emacrave.com/cozy-apple-carrot-bread-with-easy-cream-cheese-frosting/