Carrot Cake-Inspired Loaf Bread

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this carrot cake healthier than regular cake?

  The main ingredients in cake are typically flour, sugar, butter or oil, and leavening agents. This carrot cake is loaded with extra nutrition from a variety of healthy ingredients. Many of these add fiber, including the whole-wheat flour, walnuts, flaxmeal (ground flaxseed), cashew butter, raisins and carrots. Protein is bumped up with the eggs and yogurt—and whole-wheat flour, walnuts, cashew butter, and flaxseed contribute plant-based protein. The plant-based proteins also add healthy fat to this cake, as does the canola oil.

• Is this recipe vegetarian-friendly?

  Yes, as long as you eat dairy and eggs, this carrot cake is vegetarian-friendly.

• Can carrot cake loaf be made ahead?

  Absolutely. Bake the carrot cake loaf (Steps 1 through 3), let it cool, cover it with plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to three days. When you’re ready to serve it, whip up the cream cheese drizzle and pour it over the loaf.

  
  You can freeze a loaf, too, and it should be good for up to three months. Follow the same cooling and wrapping method but add a layer of foil over the plastic wrap. Then, slide the wrapped loaf into a freezer-safe zip-top bag. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw out on the countertop for a few hours. If pressed for time, you can also use a microwave or conventional oven to help speed up the process. Then, make the cream cheese drizzle. We like the convenience of freezing baked goods, and for loaves like this one, you can cut it up into slices before freezing if you want just a slice or two.

• What else can I do with flaxmeal?

  Mild, nutty flaxmeal is made from milled flaxseed. The oils have been extracted, and the nutrients are more available when the seeds are ground. You can use flaxmeal in cracker recipes and energy bars or sprinkle it over oatmeal, cold cereals and yogurt. It’s a perfect addition to salad dressings and soup, as well as to cookie, muffin and pancake batter and bread doughs. You can even sprinkle it over pasta or add it to meatloaf and meatballs.

• Can I use pre-shredded carrots?

  Pre-shredded carrots can be hard and dry, so they're not recommended. We like shredding fresh carrots in a food processor. Other useful tools include a julienne peeler, mandoline and box grater. You can also use a vegetable peeler with a fork and knife. With these methods, you can add a level of finger protection by wearing cut-resistant gloves.