Carrot Apple Bread Recipe

Heavenly Carrot Apple Bread Recipe: Sweet Comfort in Every Slice

Crisp autumn mornings call for a delightful carrot apple bread that bridges comfort and nutrition.

Sweet aromas will dance through your kitchen as grated carrots mingle with chunks of fresh apples.

Warmth radiates from the oven, promising a tender, moist treat perfect for lazy weekend breakfasts.

Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic into every delectable slice.

Wholesome ingredients combine to create a breakfast marvel that feels both indulgent and nourishing.

Soft crumbs and subtle sweetness make this bread a crowd-pleaser for anyone seeking a delicious morning companion.

Let’s bake something extraordinary that celebrates seasonal ingredients and simple pleasures.

Why Carrot Apple Bread Is Warm And Wholesome

  • Boost Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with wholesome carrots and apples, this bread delivers a delightful punch of vitamins, fiber, and natural sweetness that makes every slice a healthy treat.
  • Simplify Baking Adventure: Beginner bakers can conquer this recipe with straightforward steps, basic ingredients, and foolproof mixing techniques that guarantee a delicious outcome.
  • Create Versatile Comfort: Perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert, this bread adapts to any moment, offering a warm, spiced experience that comforts and satisfies all ages.
  • Customize with Ease: Add walnuts for crunch, swap sugars, or experiment with spices to make this recipe your own personal culinary masterpiece.

What You’ll Need For Carrot Apple Bread

Main Ingredients:
  • Carrots: Fresh carrots provide natural sweetness and moisture to the bread.
  • Apples: Juicy apples contribute additional moisture and a subtle fruity flavor.
  • Flour: The primary structural component that gives the bread its soft texture.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a rich, tender crumb.
  • Vegetable Oil, Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Add moisture, sweetness, and depth of flavor to the bread.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile with its warm, aromatic notes.
Dry and Spice Ingredients:
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the bread rise and become fluffy.
  • Cinnamon, Salt, Nutmeg: Warm spices that create a comforting and complex flavor combination.
  • Walnuts: Optional ingredient that adds crunch and nutty richness to the bread.

Steps To Make Carrot Apple Bread From Scratch

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Pan

Warm up the oven to 350°F and coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan generously with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine and sift the dry ingredients, breaking up any potential lumps and ensuring spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 3: Create Wet Ingredient Blend

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs until well beaten. Then add:
  • Vegetable oil
  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Vanilla extract

Blend until the mixture becomes smooth and develops a slight frothy texture.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Gently fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, stirring carefully to create a unified batter. Avoid overmixing to maintain the bread’s tender texture.

Step 5: Add Fruits and Nuts

Carefully incorporate into the batter:
  • Grated carrots
  • Grated apples
  • Chopped walnuts (optional)

Ensure ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Transfer to Baking Pan

Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top, creating an even surface for consistent baking.

Step 7: Bake the Bread

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55-60 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Remove from oven and let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely. Slice and enjoy the moist, spiced bread at room temperature.

Tips For Moist Carrot Apple Bread

  • Prevent Soggy Bread: Pat grated carrots and apples dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfectly textured loaf.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Toast walnuts briefly before adding to the batter to enhance their nutty richness and bring out deeper, more complex flavors.
  • Check Baking Precision: Use an instant-read thermometer to confirm internal bread temperature reaches 200°F for guaranteed doneness without overbaking.
  • Storage Secret: Wrap cooled bread tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain moisture and freshness for up to 5 days at room temperature.
  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to maintain the bread's structure and texture.

Tasty Twists On Carrot Apple Bread

  • Zucchini Apple Swap: Replace carrots with shredded zucchini for a lighter, moisture-rich quick bread with similar texture and subtle green flecks throughout.
  • Gluten-Free Garden Bread: Substitute regular flour with almond or coconut flour and add extra binding agents like xanthan gum to maintain the bread's structure and softness.
  • Tropical Fruit Fusion: Incorporate diced pineapple and coconut flakes alongside apples and carrots for a Hawaiian-inspired version with vibrant flavor profile and exotic undertones.
  • Spiced Harvest Remix: Enhance the spice blend by adding ground cardamom, increasing cinnamon quantity, and including nutmeg for a more intense, warming seasonal sensation.

Perfect Pairings For Carrot Apple Bread

  • Pair with Creamy Companion: Whip up a vanilla bean cream cheese spread that complements the bread's warm spices and provides a smooth, luxurious contrast to the bread's texture.
  • Brew the Perfect Match: Select a chai tea or spiced black tea that echoes the cinnamon and nutmeg notes in the carrot apple bread, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
  • Morning Delight Sidekick: Serve alongside a light Greek yogurt drizzled with honey, which balances the bread's sweetness and adds a tangy, protein-rich dimension to breakfast or brunch.
  • Wine Elegance Pairing: Choose a late harvest Riesling with its subtle sweetness and fruity undertones that will beautifully highlight the apple and carrot elements in the bread.

How To Store Carrot Apple Bread The Right Way

  • Keep the carrot apple bread wrapped in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, maintaining its delightful moisture and soft texture.
  • Seal the bread in a sealed container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap, which helps preserve freshness for 5-7 days in the refrigerator, preventing potential spoilage from moisture-rich ingredients like carrots and apples.
  • Slice the bread before freezing, wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag or container, where it can remain fresh for up to 3 months without losing its delectable flavor and moist consistency.

Carrot Apple Bread FAQ

  • Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?

Yes, you can substitute up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Keep in mind this might slightly change the texture and make the bread denser.

  • How ripe should the apples and carrots be?

Choose fresh, crisp apples and carrots. Grate them just before mixing to prevent excess moisture and maintain the bread’s texture.

  • Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Absolutely! The bread stays moist for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, making it perfect for quick breakfasts or snacks.

  • Can I make this bread gluten-free?

Yes, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend as a direct one-to-one replacement for regular flour. Add a teaspoon of xanthan gum for better binding.

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Carrot Apple Bread Recipe

Carrot Apple Bread Recipe


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4.8 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 75 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Warm, spiced carrot apple bread brings comfort straight from Grandma’s kitchen, blending sweet apples with earthy carrots in a delightful quick bread. Each slice promises wholesome flavor and homemade goodness you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Fruit and Vegetable Ingredients:

  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1 cup grated apples
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and thoroughly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Sift together all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain and the spices are evenly distributed.
  3. Whisk eggs in a separate bowl until well beaten, then incorporate vegetable oil, both white and brown sugars, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly frothy.
  4. Gently fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring carefully to create a unified batter without overmixing.
  5. Carefully incorporate the grated carrots and apples into the batter, ensuring they are evenly dispersed throughout the mixture.
  6. If using walnuts, fold them into the batter gently, distributing them uniformly.
  7. Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to create an even surface.
  8. Bake in the preheated oven for 55-60 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean with minimal crumbs.
  9. Remove from oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. Slice and serve at room temperature, enjoying the moist texture and warm spices of the bread.

Notes

  • Grate carrots and apples fresh for maximum moisture and natural sweetness in the bread.
  • For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, adding xanthan gum for better texture.
  • Consider reducing sugar by using ripe bananas or unsweetened applesauce as natural sweeteners to make the recipe healthier.
  • Toasting walnuts briefly before adding to batter enhances their nutty flavor and provides a delightful crunch in every bite.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 205
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1.5 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
Truc Tran (Kris)

Truc Tran (Kris)

Senior Food Editor

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Vietnamese Food Evaluation Expert

Education

  • Hospitality (Commercial Cookery) at TasTAFE
  • Culinary Arts at Kendall College (Australia Branch in Sydney)
  • Vietnamese Cuisine Head Chef at HNAAu School (Vietnam, International Joint Training Program)

Truc Tran (Kris), an experienced food writer and editor, is great at exploring and describing global cuisines, from simple street food to fancy dining. In her writing, she skillfully mixes different flavors, cooking methods, and culinary traditions, showing the unique character of various cultures through their food and drinks. On azcuisines.com, Kris highlights her knowledge, especially in Asian cuisine and worldwide traditional dishes.

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