Description
A moist and spiced carrot cake loaf swirled with a rich cream cheese filling, perfect for brunch, dessert, or tea time.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups grated carrots (about 4 medium carrots)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup crushed pineapple, drained (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 1 large egg (for filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. Refrigerate.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy.
- Stir in grated carrots, vanilla extract, and optional pineapple.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
- Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Gently spread the cream cheese filling over the batter, avoiding the edges.
- Top with remaining batter and smooth the top.
- Bake for 50–60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cover loosely with foil after 30 minutes if browning too fast.
- Cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- You can omit the pineapple if desired for a more traditional texture.
- Add chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for extra flavor.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened for a smooth filling.
- Let the loaf cool fully before slicing to preserve the layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: carrot cake loaf, cream cheese filling, spiced loaf, Easter dessert, easy carrot cake