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Carrot Apple Bread Recipe

4.4 from 56 reviews

This Carrot Apple Bread is a moist, flavorful quick bread combining the natural sweetness of grated apples and carrots with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect for breakfast, snack, or a light dessert, it’s made with wholesome ingredients including coconut oil and sour cream for a tender crumb and rich texture. The recipe yields a deliciously spiced loaf with a golden crust and a moist center that pairs wonderfully with butter or cream cheese.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/3 cup liquid-state coconut oil (canola or vegetable oil may be substituted)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup sour cream (lite is okay; or Greek yogurt may be substituted)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch salt (optional and to taste)

Fresh Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup grated carrots (about 1 large peeled and trimmed carrot)
  • 3/4 cup grated apples (about 1 medium unpeeled Fuji apple; Gala or Honeycrisp can be substituted)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×5-inch loaf pan with floured cooking spray or grease and flour the pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the egg, light brown sugar, coconut oil, granulated sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. Whisk these together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt to the wet mixture. Fold gently with a spatula or stir carefully with a spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
  4. Incorporate Carrots and Apples: Gently fold in the grated carrots and grated apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter. The batter will be thick, which is expected.
  5. Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the thick batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to an even layer.
  6. Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 52 minutes, ideally around 50 minutes. The bread is done when the top is golden, the center is set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
  7. Cool and Serve: Let the bread cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove the loaf from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve once cooled to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • If using an 8×4-inch loaf pan, baking time may vary; monitor closely to avoid under- or over-baking.
  • Substitutions: Coconut oil can be swapped with canola or vegetable oil; sour cream can be replaced with Greek yogurt.
  • For best flavor, use fresh Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp apples; leave the peel on for added texture and nutrients.
  • Do not overmix the batter as it can make the bread dense and tough.
  • Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.

Keywords: carrot apple bread, quick bread, cinnamon bread, autumn bread, moist bread, easy bread recipe, homemade bread