This delicious moist carrot cake loaf with streusel is more easier to make than it looks. It’s dense, yet ultra soft and flavored with brown sugar, cinnamon and ginger. Made with a delicious crunchy sweet streusel topping. This carrot loaf will become a staple in your kitchen. This recipe makes one loaf.. Easy to double for more.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan. Use parchment paper for an easy release. Makes one 9x5" loaf. Double recipe for 2 loaves.
INGREDIENTS
8-oz. package cream cheese (soften) 1 package
1/2 cup vegetable oil, plus more for pan
2¼cups all-purpose flour
2tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. ground ginger
2 tsp. ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
1¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided
¾ lb. carrots (11/2 cups grated)
1¾ cups sugar, divided
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Start by getting that 1 lb. cream cheese to room temperature. See option if you sew in a hurry!
Place a rack in middle of oven; preheat to 350°. Lightly grease a 9x5" loaf pan with vegetable oil or non stick spray. Line pan lengthwise with parchment paper, leaving about a 2" overhang. Make sure you use the right size pan to prevent batter over flow.
Whisk 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp. baking powder, 2 tsp. ground ginger, ¾ tsp. baking soda, 2 tsp. cinnamon, and 1½ tsp salt into a medium bowl.
Grate 3/4 lbs of carrots using a grater or food processor. If you do not have a scale to weigh it should measure 1 1/2 cups.
In a large mixing bowl add the 8oz (1 package) cream cheese and mix until blended. Add 1½ cups sugar. Mix until nice and fluffy. Add crack 2 eggs one at a time mixing until smooth. Slowly stream in ¾ cup vegetable oil, mixing until it has blended. Add 2 tsp. vanilla extract and continue mixing. Your wet ingredients are ready when it is nice and smooth.
Using your hands or large spoon add the grated carrots to the flour mixture and coat well. Watch video for instructions
Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and fold until well blended.
Pour into prepared loaf pan and set aside. Now make the streusel for the loaf. This is an option. You can skip this step and make cream cheese frosting while the cake bakes. This is my written recipe for cream cheese frosting with twist.
STREUSEL INGREDIENTS
11/2 cups all purpose flour 1/3 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt ( a little less if using table salt) 3/4 cup butter, melted (1 1/2 sticks)
In a small bowl add the flour, sugars and salt mix until well blended. Now slowly add the melted butter, using a fork works best for me. Sprinkle onto carrot loaf .
Watch video for instuctions
Bake cake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 1 hr and 15 minutes. (Baking time will vary depending on the size and shape of your loaf pan, so if you aren't using a standard 9x5", start checking for doneness at the 1 hr mark and keep an eye on things.) Let cool 20 minutes, then remove from pan using parchment overhang. If the edges are sticking, slide a butter knife around the edge to help release. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.
OPTIONS
If you don’t have time to let the cream cheese sit out on the counter to soften for several hours remove from package and microwave 30 second increments to soften. DO NOT OVER HEAT.
You can use cream cheese frosting instead of streusel to top this delicious loaf. Click for my recipe. Spread on loaf after it has cooled completely.
Watch video for instructions
Add raisins, pecans, or coconut to loaf batter just before baking.
Watch this quick video for illustrated instructions