Simple and generously topped with cream cheese frosting, this super moist Carrot Cake Loaf is simply perfect!
When it comes to my favourite cakes, Carrot Cake is right up there! And when it comes to my favourite carrot cake recipe, this is it. This is the one my Mom always made and all these years later, it’s still the one I make.
My Mom always made this cake as a 9×13-inch sheet cake. Somewhere along the way, given my lack of restraint around it, I scaled back the recipe to make a smaller cake in loaf form. It satisfies the craving, without having too much sitting around to tempt me.
I have come to love the loaf shaped carrot cake. Even though it’s a loaf, served thickly sliced, it’s still a plate and fork kind of cake. The taller loaf also allows me to use a generous amount of cream cheese frosting, which is always desirable in my books :)
This time I made my carrot cake loaf plain (without nuts). Sometimes I add nuts (almost always walnuts). I never add pineapple (sorry pineapple in carrot cake lovers). No coconut or raisins, either. I always keep the spicing simple, with just some cinnamon. I find it simply perfect and I love that it stays fresh for days. Not that it lasts on my counter that long.
Cook’s Notes for Carrot Cake Loaf
As noted above, you can use this basic recipe to make a sheet cake or a two-layer cake (by doubling the recipe) or turn it into a loaf, as I’ve done here, a single layer 8-inch round cake or just use the batter to make some muffins.
This loaf stays nice and moist for several days, wrapped well and stored on the counter. This loaf also freezes well (even when frosted).
Carrot Cake Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting
Moist and light carrot cake, baked into a loaf and topped with a generous amount of cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients
Carrot Cake:
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots well packed
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 1 cup walnuts or pecans, finely chopped (optional)
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz. cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 Tbsp butter at room temperature
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups icing/confectioners' sugar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
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Line a 4 1/2 x 10-inch or 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
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In a large bowl with an electric beater or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the white sugar and oil. Add the shredded carrots and mix in. Add the egg and beat in. Stir in the flour mixture and mix until well combined.
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Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
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Bake in preheated oven for 40-50 minutes, or until a tester inserted in the centre comes out clean.
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Cool 15 minutes in the pan, then lift out to a cooling rack to cool completely.
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To make frosting: Beat together the cream cheese, butter and vanilla. Add the icing sugar and beat until fluffy and smooth.
Recipe Notes
This batter can also be used to make an 8-inch round cake or some muffins. Double the recipe (cake and frosting) to make a 9x13-inch sheet cake or an 8-inch round layer cake, with two layers.
Be sure to read the "Cook's Notes" in the original post, where I share some valuable tips, options, substitutions and variations for this recipe!
I’ve made this cake twice and it is delicious. Easily the best carrot cake I’ve ever eaten. However I’m having a problem and hope you can help me. Each time I made it I followed the recipe closely and didn’t change a thing. But both cakes sunk in the middle…what am I doing wrong?
So glad you are enjoying it, Molly! As for the sinking in the middle, this one (even in the best of circumstances) will sink slightly in the middle as it cools. I think it’s just a result of baking it as a taller loaf, rather than a shorter cake. It’s just a lot of cake to lift :) That said, if yours is sinking more than slightly, a couple of things to look at: baking time, making sure it is fully baked through and maybe leave it in the oven a few extra minutes even after it “tests clean”. Is your baking powder old and maybe doesn’t have quite the lifting power it should? Finally, making sure to measure the flour with the “stir it well, spoon it into the cup and level it with a knife” method. Even a bit more flour than intended can make it that bit heavier. Hope that helps
I can never resist carrot cake and this loaf is perfect!
Thanks so much, Laura!
Amazing flavour and super moist. The best part is icing a loaf that keeps and freezes well.
So glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth :) Thanks!
One of my favorite cakes topped with one of my favorite frostings! This is a keeper, my friend!!
Thanks Annie :)
Carrot cake is one of my faves! This one looks super flavourful and the only thing that would make it better is if I had a cuppa coffee to go with ;) Too bad I couldn’t grab a slice from my screen right now! Happy Monday to ya!
Thanks Dawn and to you, too!
Cooking for just my husband and I, I like your smaller version of carrot cake. Thanks!
Thanks Karen :)
I’m sending this recipe right off to my son Sean Jennifer! Carrot cake is his favorite! Bet he’ll bake a loaf this weekend!
I think he will enjoy it, Mary Ann! Thanks :)
You are wise to have scaled the recipe down to loaf pan size:) Carrot cake that looks this delicious is surely not getting left behind, I am with you! And I love that you leave pineapple/raisins out of it. This recipe might become my ‘go to’:)
Thanks Milena and I think you’ll enjoy this one. It’s everything I crave when I think of carrot cake :)
This kind of cake can’t be beat! Perfect for this time of year and any event. This loaf would be calling my name from the kitchen :)
Thanks Tricia :)