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Carrot Loaf Creamy Treat

Featured in Irresistible Desserts.

Soft and luscious, this carrot loaf is a dream baked treat with a tangy cream cheese center. A touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger adds comforting spice, while a buttery streusel crumb adds the perfect crunch. Grated carrots lend natural sweetness, and optional pecans or walnuts up the crunch factor. Whether enjoyed plain or paired with coffee, this loaf is an easy go-to for gatherings or a cozy treat at home.

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Ranah
Updated on Thu, 08 May 2025 17:51:23 GMT
A single slice of moist carrot loaf with creamy filling. Pin it
A single slice of moist carrot loaf with creamy filling. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

This spiced carrot loaf brings together old-fashioned carrot cake flavors with an unexpected cream cheese middle and a crispy streusel on top. The carrots and sour cream work together to keep everything moist while that tangy cream cheese center makes each bite something special.

I whipped this up when my sister wanted something for her birthday that wasn't just regular carrot cake. Now we can't have a spring get-together without it - it shows up at pretty much every family event.

Ingredients

  • Fresh carrots: grate them yourself for the juiciest results - the bagged shredded ones won't give you the right moisture
  • Cream cheese: grab the block kind that's full fat, not the stuff in tubs which has extra things that mess up baking
  • Sour cream: this keeps the cake soft and moist without making everything too greasy
  • Ground spices: nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger team up to create that warm, cozy flavor you need in good carrot cake
  • Chopped nuts: you can skip these if you want, but they add nice crunch and a toasty flavor that works well with the sweet spiced batter

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Pan:
Put parchment in a 9x5 inch loaf pan with extra hanging over the sides so you can lift it out later. Don't skip this part or the cream cheese middle will make everything stick badly.
Make the Streusel:
Mix your dry topping stuff together and pour in melted butter. You want it to look like chunky crumbs that stick together when you squeeze them. If it seems too dry, add a tiny bit more butter. This makes that amazing crumbly top everyone loves.
Mix Carrot Cake Batter:
Start by mixing all wet things really well, making sure eggs are completely combined. Then carefully fold in your freshly grated carrots. Add dry ingredients and stir just until the flour disappears. Don't mix too much or your cake will turn out tough.
Prepare Cream Cheese Filling:
Mix cream cheese stuff slowly just until smooth. Don't whip it too much or it'll puff up and sink during baking. The cream cheese needs to be sitting out for a while before using it or you'll get lumps.
Layer the Components:
Put half your carrot mix in first, then add all the cream cheese mix, and finish with the rest of the carrot batter. Use a spoon back to spread everything out carefully so the layers stay separate.
Top and Bake:
Scatter streusel all over the top and stick it in your hot oven. Cover loosely with foil about halfway through cooking so it doesn't get too brown. It's done when you poke the carrot cake part with a toothpick and it comes out mostly clean with a few wet crumbs.
A slice of carrot cake on a plate. Pin it
A slice of carrot cake on a plate. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Proper Storage

Keep this loaf in your fridge because of the cream cheese inside. It'll stay good for about 5 days if you cover it well. Take it out about 20 minutes before you want to eat it so the flavors wake up. When it's cold, the cream cheese part gets firm which makes for an interesting texture difference.

Make Ahead Options

You can make this up to 2 days before you need it, which is super handy for parties. It actually gets tastier as it sits. If you want to keep it longer, wrap the whole loaf or single slices in plastic wrap and then foil and pop them in the freezer. Just move it to the fridge the night before you want to eat it.

Ingredient Substitutions

Want something a bit healthier? Swap out a third of your white flour for whole wheat and cut back the sugar by 2 tablespoons. You can use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream - just use the same amount. If nuts aren't your thing or cause allergies, leave them out completely or try toasted pumpkin seeds for that nice crunch without the allergy worry.

A slice of carrot cake on a plate. Pin it
A slice of carrot cake on a plate. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I keep the loaf soft?

Use fresh carrots, oil, and sour cream for a moist texture. Keep an eye on bake time and cover with foil if it's browning too fast.

→ What if I skip the filling?

No problem! The loaf will still be amazing. Feel free to toss in extra nuts or sprinkle in more spice for a twist.

→ What if I have a smaller pan?

A pan size of 9x5x2 ½ inches works best. For smaller pans, reduce batter volume or split between several pans to avoid spillage.

→ What nuts pair well in this loaf?

Pecans and walnuts both add crunch and complement the loaf's spiced flavors perfectly.

→ How far ahead can I prep this?

This loaf keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure it's fully cooled before sealing in plastic wrap or an airtight container.

Carrot Loaf Cream Filling

Tender carrot loaf with zesty cream cheese filling and warm spices.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
60 Minutes
Total Time
75 Minutes
By: Ranah


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 1 loaf

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Crumbly Cinnamon Topping

01 25 grams light brown sugar
02 50 grams granulated sugar
03 Dash of salt
04 85 grams all-purpose flour
05 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 56 grams unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

→ Carrot Layer

07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 66 grams granulated sugar
09 1/4 teaspoon salt
10 66 grams light brown sugar
11 2 eggs
12 150 grams grated carrots
13 166 grams all-purpose flour
14 80 ml vegetable oil
15 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
16 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
17 56 grams sour cream
18 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
19 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
20 1/3 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans, optional)

→ Creamy Filling

21 226 grams cream cheese, softened
22 23 grams all-purpose flour
23 1 egg
24 50 grams sugar
25 1 teaspoon vanilla

→ Drizzle

26 40 grams powdered sugar
27 2–3 teaspoons milk

Instructions

Step 01

Set the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9x5x2.5-inch loaf pan with baking spray, then line it with parchment paper so it hangs over the edges for easy removal.

Step 02

Stir the granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and flour together in a small bowl. Pour in the melted butter, then use a fork to create crumbly pieces. Leave it aside for now.

Step 03

Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt in a small bowl. Give it a good stir and keep it handy.

Step 04

Whisk the eggs, both sugars, sour cream, oil, and vanilla in a big bowl. Once combined, gently fold in the shredded carrots with a spatula.

Step 05

Bit by bit, add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until you don't see dry flour anymore. You can fold in nuts at this point if you'd like.

Step 06

Blend the cream cheese, sugar, flour, egg, and vanilla in another bowl. Use low speed and stop mixing as soon as it’s smooth.

Step 07

Spread half the carrot batter into your lined pan. Pour the cheesecake mixture over it and evenly spread it out. Add the rest of the carrot batter on top, followed by a thick layer of the streusel.

Step 08

Let it bake for 55–65 minutes. If the top starts getting dark around 25–30 minutes, cover it loosely with foil. It’s ready when a toothpick comes out with just a few crumbs stuck to it.

Notes

  1. Make sure to use the right pan size (9x5x2.5-inch) or the batter and toppings might overflow.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x5x2.5-inch loaf pan
  • Bowls for mixing
  • Whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Electric mixer
  • Parchment paper

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy
  • Contains gluten
  • Could contain nuts if added

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 310.5
  • Total Fat: 15.7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 38.2 g
  • Protein: 4.6 g