This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

If you love classic carrot cake, you’ll love this carrot cake spice bread topped with cream cheese frosting! Perfect for breakfast or as an afternoon snack, this spiced and tender quick bread recipe captures all the cozy flavors of carrot cake – my favorite blend of spices is a custom mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.

Carrot Cake Spice Bread
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and we’ll send it straight to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

The quick bread batter goes from the mixing bowl to the oven in just a few minutes, making this carrot cake spice bread the perfect treat for whenever a craving strikes!

Carrot Cake Spice Bread

Topped with swirls of lemon cream cheese frosting and a shower of pastel sprinkles, I’m dreaming of spring with this recipe and I think you’ll do the same!

Carrot Cake Spice Bread

Craving more carrot cake?

Did you try this Carrot Bread Recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and rating below!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Carrot Cake Spice Bread

Carrot Cake Spice Bread

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
  • Author: Laura Kasavan
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 58 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
  • Yield: 1 loaf, 12 slices
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Bake
  • Cuisine: American
Save Recipe

Description

If you love classic carrot cake, you’ll love this carrot cake spice bread topped with cream cheese frosting! Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat, this quick bread recipe captures the cozy flavors of carrot cake.


Ingredients

Bread

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ginger
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp cloves
  • 3/4 cup reduced-fat buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 large egg, at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled (or vegetable oil)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/4 cups finely grated carrots

Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
  2. Make bread: Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Combine buttermilk, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla in a medium bowl; add to flour mixture and fold in until almost combined. Fold in grated carrots.
  3. Scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth with an offset spatula. Tap pan sharply to remove air bubbles.
  4. Bake bread for 54 to 58 minutes, until the top is golden and springs back to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs attached. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes; carefully remove bread from pan and cool completely.
  5. Make cream cheese frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, salt, and lemon zest on medium speed until combined. Mix in powdered sugar on low speed, then increase to medium and beat until light and airy. (If frosting is too soft to use immediately, chill for 10-15 minutes in the refrigerator).
  6. Use an offset spatula to spread cream cheese frosting over bread. If desired, decorate with sprinkles. Chill bread for 30 minutes to set frosting before slicing and serving.
  7. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

Carrot Cake Spice Bread

Meet Laura

Hi, I'm Laura and I'm so happy you're here! Welcome to Tutti Dolci Baking Recipes, a baking blog celebrating all things sweet! I share approachable baking recipes and elevated classic desserts for every home baker. My goal is to inspire you to bake from scratch with kitchen-tested recipes you can count on.

You'll also love:

Leave a comment

If you love this recipe, please consider leaving a star rating when you post a comment to help other readers. If you have a question, I'd love to hear from you too.

As always, thanks for your feedback!

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

Share your photo!Inspire others by uploading an image of your creation along with your review. The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image. Drop files here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments

  1. This was so good! Moist, cakey, and has the perfect mix of spices. I used whole grain flour and added extra cinnamon too. I found even without the frosting it’s sweet enough to enjoy on its own. Loved this one!

  2. Hi Laura
    I’ve pinned this and hope to make ASAP. I’m not a huge fan of cream cheese frosting, any suggestions?
    Happy spring
    Robyn

    1. Hi Danielle, I would use the batter from my classic carrot cake and divide that between 2 8×8″ pans for carrot cake bars, or bake in a 13×9″ pan for a sheet cake. Hope that helps! 🙂

  3. This bread looks delicious. It is perfect for when you do not need a big layer carrot cake! I cannot wait to make it.