Carrot Apple Bread

Carrot Apple Bread is a deliciously moist and flavorful loaf that brings together the natural sweetness of apples and the earthy goodness of carrots. This quick bread is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a warm and comforting treat perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert. It’s a great way to use up fresh produce and enjoy a healthy, homemade bread.

Ingredients

• 1 large egg
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ⅓ cup liquid-state coconut oil (canola or vegetable oil may be substituted)
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup sour cream (lite is okay; Greek yogurt may be substituted)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch salt, optional and to taste
• ¾ cup grated carrots (about 1 large peeled and trimmed carrot)
• ¾ cup grated apples (I used 1 medium unpeeled Fuji; try Gala, Honeycrisp, or similar)

Instructions

1. Prepare the 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. If you prefer a taller loaf, you can use an 8×4-inch pan, but baking times may vary.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, light brown sugar, coconut oil (or your chosen oil), granulated sugar, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well combined.

3. Add Dry Ingredients:

• Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and optional salt to the wet mixture.
• Fold gently with a spatula or stir lightly with a spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent the bread from becoming tough.

4. Incorporate Carrots and Apples:

• Gently fold in the grated carrots and grated apples until evenly distributed throughout the batter. The batter will be very thick, which is what you want.

5. Bake the Bread:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
• Bake for 45 to 52 minutes (I baked for 50 minutes), or until the top is golden, the center is set, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.

6. Cool and Serve:

• Allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips

• Choosing Apples: Use firm and sweet-tart apples like Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture.
• Grating Carrots and Apples: Use a medium grater to ensure the pieces are small enough to blend into the batter evenly.
• Batter Consistency: The batter should be very thick. This ensures that the moisture from the apples and carrots doesn’t make the bread too dense or soggy.
• Cooling Time: Letting the bread cool completely before slicing helps it set and makes it easier to cut clean slices.

Enjoy this delicious Carrot Apple Bread as a wholesome and tasty treat that combines the best of fruit and vegetable goodness in one loaf!