Classic Carrot Bread

Finding a healthy snack is challenging, but finding a healthy snack to put in a kid’s lunchbox, something that they will actually eat, can be painful. It’s not easy to find a recipe that is full of nutrients, made with real food/not overly processed, nut-free, simple, easy to make and something they will enjoy. The struggle is real. And that’s exactly why I love this Classic Carrot Bread!

IT’S BACK TO SCHOOL TIME:

I think most of us have the best intentions when it comes to eating healthy and feeding our kids healthy food. But when I’m staring down the barrel at an empty lunch bag, I’ve got no plan and nothing healthy in the fridge or freezer, it’s enough to make me assume the fetal position and remain that way until the end of June. Parenting is hard, but lunch doesn’t have to be. This carrot loaf can help! I recently saw this on Facebook and it pretty much epitomizes what it’s like to parent in 2017. This carrot bread is healthier than many recipes because it doesn’t have a glaze or icing. The extra sugar and calories are just not necessary. Plus, this carrot loaf is so good that it should be eaten straight up, maybe with a little old skool butter, if you like. Plain and simple. Classic. If you are looking for similar recipes, my Old Fashioned Date Nut Loaf  is another classic that has stood the test of time, having been handed down through six generations. It’s healthy, chock-full of real, whole ingredients and perfect for the lunch bag. MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER: I am always looking for ways to make like easier. When I make this carrot bread, I shred a bunch of carrots in my food processor and freeze them in 1 or 2 cup bags. Why do something twice, when it can be done once, right? Then I simply defrost the carrots when it’s time to make this bread or whatever else I’m making with shredded carrots. You can even use your extra frozen carrots to make this Award Winning Creamy Carrot Soup! I often double this recipe so I can have an extra loaf in the freezer. That also makes my life easier. And it’s not just for the kids – us parents want healthy snacks and desserts too! So if you are looking for an easy, nutritious snack or dessert that is made with real food, this carrot bread is for you. It may not solve all your parenting problems, but it will make packing lunches a whole lot easier.

Print

Classic Carrot Bread

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine North American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings 10 slices

Author Terri from the blog Food Meanderings

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ¾ cup plain yogurt
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup shredded carrots

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9X5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Combine flours, spices, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl beat egg till fluffy, beat in oil, then add in yogurt, sugar, and vanilla. Stir in carrots. Add flour mixture and stir until combined.
4. Pour into prepared loaf pan.
5. Bake at 350F for approximately 50 minutes or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted comes out clean.
6. Let cool in pan 5 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely.

Recipe Notes

Shred tons of carrots with food processor then freeze them in 1 or 2 cup bags (I do both)

Thank you to Terri for being our guest blogger today! Terri is the owner and creator of Food Meanderings. She is a competitive home cook and baker, recipe developer, food writer, and cake decorator. Her original and award winning recipes have been published in Taste of Home magazine, Saltscape Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens Family Circle Hometown Cooking Cookbook, The Farmer’s Almanac (2017), The Old Farmer’s Almanac Readers’ Best Recipes 25th Anniversary Edition Cookbook (2016), Safeway Destination Cheese Champions, among other publications and on several websites. She is a happily married mom of two that loves everything food. By day she works as a Project Manager in the health care field.

Did you make this recipe? Have a meal planning tip to share? Tag @365daysofeasyrecipes on Instagram . I’d love to see!