The Ultimate Carrot Cake Loaf

This homemade carrot cake loaf is a must-bake! It’s incredibly moist, filled with just the right amount of sweetness, and topped with an ultra-creamy brown butter cream cheese frosting. The combination of carrots, pineapple, and coconut gives it incredible flavor and texture. Whether you’re making it for Easter, a weekend brunch, or just because, this loaf is an easy way to enjoy a bakery-style treat at home.

With spring and Easter on the horizon, I have been thinking about recipes that I love and that will suit the season. While brainstorming and considering what I’ve shared here on Inspired by Charm, I realized there was a need for a carrot cake-inspired quick bread so that’s what I decided to make.

The result was this easy and delicious adorable Carrot Cake Loaf with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• This carrot cake loaf delivers all the classic flavors you love—warm cinnamon, sweet carrots, and a hint of nuttiness—without the hassle of layering and frosting a full cake. It’s an easy, no-fuss way to enjoy a bakery-style treat right at home.
• I love a carrot cake filled with shredded carrots, pineapple, coconut, and nuts. They give this loaf such rich depth of flavor (and that’s exactly what this recipe has)!
• The brown butter cream cheese frosting takes this dessert to the next level. (Brown butter has that effect.) It definitely amps up the flavor from predictable to unexpected in the best possible way.
• And let’s be honest—those tiny piped frosting carrots? Absolutely charming. They add a playful, festive touch that makes this loaf extra special for spring gatherings, Easter celebrations, or just an everyday sweet treat.

Alright my friends, let’s strap on our aprons, grab some bowls, and whip up this delicious loaf.

Ingredients

Carrot Cake Loaf

• All-purpose flour – The foundation of the loaf, giving it structure while keeping it soft and tender.
• Brown sugar – Adds deep, rich sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor, which pairs beautifully with the warm spices.
• Baking soda – Helps the loaf rise, creating a light and airy texture.
• Ground cinnamon – Brings in warmth and spice, giving the loaf that classic cozy carrot cake flavor.
• Kosher salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Eggs – Provide structure and richness, helping bind everything together.
• Unsalted butter – Adds moisture and richness to the loaf, making it soft and flavorful.
• Grated carrots – The star of the show! They add natural sweetness, moisture, and a pop of color.
• Crushed pineapple – A secret ingredient that makes the loaf extra moist while adding a subtle fruity sweetness.
• Shredded coconut – Brings a hint of tropical flavor and a little texture to every bite.
• Vanilla extract – Rounds out the flavors with its warm, sweet aroma.
• Buttermilk – Keeps the loaf tender and soft while adding a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
• Chopped walnuts (optional) – Add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor, making each bite even more delicious.

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

• Unsalted butter – Browned to perfection, it adds a nutty, caramel-like depth to the frosting.
• Cream cheese – The key to a rich, tangy, and ultra-creamy frosting.
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens the frosting while keeping it smooth and easy to spread.
• Kosher salt – Just a pinch enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth, making the frosting even more flavorful.
• Milk – Helps adjust the consistency, ensuring the frosting is silky and spreadable.
• Food coloring (optional) – Used to create those adorable little piped carrots for a festive touch.

Alright my friends, let’s strap on our aprons, grab some bowls, and whip up this delicious loaf.

How to Make

And now it’s time. Let me show you how easy it is to make this Carrot Cake Loaf. I’ll walk you through the steps below. You can also find a full ingredient list and detailed instructions for these bars in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line two 8×4-inch loaf baking pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.
3. Whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Set aside.

4. In a large bowl add the eggs, melted butter, carrots, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine.
5. Stir in the flour mixture, then fold in the walnuts.

6. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared baking pans.
7. Bake for 60 minutes.
8. Cool the loaves in the pan for about 10 minutes and then remove them from the pan and allow them to completely cool on a wire rack.

9. To prepare the frosting, start by making the brown butter.
10. Add the brown butter and cream cheese to a bowl and beat with an electric mixer to combine.
11. Add the powdered sugar, salt, vanilla, and milk. Beat slowly to combine.

12. Once your loaves are completely cooled, spread the frosting onto the top.
13. Use colored frosting to pipe small carrots on top of the frosting.

And with that, your Carrot Cake Loafs are complete!

All that’s left to do is slice and enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Tips

• I think the piped frosting carrots on this carrot cake loaf are adorable, but if you’re looking for something less fussy, you can just leave them off or garnish the frosting with chopped walnuts.
• You can enjoy this carrot cake loaf on the same day. If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, they can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
• If you’re looking to make this recipe in advance, the loaf will freeze nicely. I typically don’t recommend freezing cream cheese, so I would freeze the loaf without the frosting, and add the frosting once the loaf defrosts and you’re ready to serve it.
• For this recipe, I used sweetened shredded coconut, but unsweetened coconut would also work. In addition, a handful of raisins may be added to the recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this into muffins or a different cake shape?

Yes! You can bake the batter in muffin tins, a bundt pan, or even as a single-layer cake. Just adjust the baking time—muffins will take about 20-25 minutes, and a bundt cake may need closer to 50-60 minutes.

How should I store leftovers?

Since the frosting contains cream cheese, store the loaf in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Let it come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.

Can I freeze the frosted loaf?

Yes! To freeze, place the frosted loaf on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

More Sweet Recipes You’ll Love

• Mixed Berry Pound Cake
• Cinnamon Nut Quick Bread
• Apple Fritter Bread
• Cinnamon Roll Bread
• Lemon and Blueberry Bread

And that’s a wrap on this delicious Carrot Cake Loaf with Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting. Whether you’re whipping this up for the upcoming Easter holiday or just craving a slice of carrot cake, I sincerely hope you enjoy this recipe.

I hope you’ll try baking this carrot cake loaf. If you do, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Carrot Cake Loaf

This Carrot Cake Loaf topped with decadent Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting is packed with delicious flavor from shredded carrots, pineapple, coconut, and walnuts. It’s a delightful sweet treat perfect for any occasion.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Bread, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: brown butter, carrot cake, cream cheese frosting, quick bread

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 4430kcal

Ingredients

Carrot Cake Loaf

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup unsalted butter melted
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 8 ounces crushed pineapple in juice drained
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts optional

Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2-3 tablespoons milk
• food coloring optional

Instructions

• Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line two 8×4-inch loaf baking pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl add the eggs, melted butter, carrots, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and buttermilk. Whisk to combine. Stir in the flour mixture, then fold in the walnuts. Mix until everything is evenly distributed.
• Divide the batter between the two prepared baking pans. Bake for 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. (To prevent over-browning, loosely cover the loaves with aluminum foil towards the end of the baking process.)
• Cool the loaves in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pan and allow them to completely cool on a wire rack.
• In the meantime, prepare the frosting. Start by making the brown butter by placing the butter into a skillet over medium heat. Stir while cooking the butter. Once melted, wait for the butter to foam up and then subside. At this point, you should notice little brown bits at the bottom of your pan as well as a nutty aroma. Remove the butter from the heat, then transfer the butter to a heatproof bowl. Place the bowl into the freezer for about 10 minutes to allow the butter to return to a solid form.
• Add the brown butter and cream cheese to a bowl and beat with an electric mixer to combine. Add the powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla and beat slowly to combine. Add as much milk as needed to achieve a smooth consistency.
• Optional: Remove two small (about 1/4 cup) portions of the frosting and place them in separate bowls. Use gel food coloring to dye one portion orange and one portion green. Transfer to a piping bag and cut off a small portion of the tip.
• Once your loaves are completely cooled, spread the frosting onto the top. Use the colored frosting to pipe small carrots on top of the frosting.
• Enjoy immediately or store sealed in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 4430kcal | Carbohydrates: 554g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 234g | Saturated Fat: 131g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 30g | Monounsaturated Fat: 54g | Trans Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 748mg | Sodium: 1678mg | Potassium: 1762mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 389g | Vitamin A: 27759IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 597mg | Iron: 15mg