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Carrot Walnut Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Walnut Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Carrot Walnut Loaf with Cream Cheese frosting is simple, moist, tender, and delicious. It's the perfect sweet recipe for spring!

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yields: 1 loaf
Recipe by Tessa Arias

Ingredients

For the loaf:

  • 2 1/2 cups (350 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup (200 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (300 grams) shredded carrots (about 6 to 7 medium carrots)
  • 1/2 cup (85 grams) California walnuts, roughly chopped

For the frosting:

  • 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 stick (113 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or paste
  • 2 cups (250 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
  • Chopped California walnuts, for garnish

Directions

Make the loaf:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 1/2 by 4 1/2-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs. Stir in the vanilla and carrots. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Stir in the walnuts.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake until a cake tester inserted comes out clean, about 65 to 75 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. At this point the loaf can be wrapped well and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

Make the cream cheese frosting:

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla on medium-high speed until very light, creamy, and smooth. On low speed gradually add in the sugar and beat until fluffy.
  2. Spread evenly over the loaf. Sprinkle with walnuts. Slice and serve, or cover and leave at room temperature for up to 8 hours, or in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.