Carrot & Apple Loaf with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients

• - 120g butter, room temperature
• - 190g packed brown sugar
• - 40 ml vegetable or canola oil
• - 2 eggs
• - 120ml whole milk
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• - 160g grated red apples
• - 160g grated carrots
• - 60g pecans, chopped
• - 1/2 teaspoon salt
• - 2 teaspoon baking powder
• - 290g all-purpose flour
• - 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• - 320g cream cheese, room temperature
• - 1/4 cup powdered sugar (add more if desired)
• - 1 teaspoon vanilla powder/extract
• - 1/4 cup chopped pecans (for topping)

Instructions

1. 1

   For the loaf:

2. 2

   1. Preheat the oven to 180C/375F and line the loaf pan with baking paper, leaving an overhang on each side to make it easier to remove the loaf once baked.

3. 3

   2. Place the butter, packed brown sugar, and oil in a mixing bowl. Use an electric beater to whisk the butter until light and creamy.

4. 4

   3. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and milk and continue to mix.

5. 5

   4. Add the carrots, apples, and pecans and mix until just combined.

6. 6

   5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.

7. 7

   6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.

8. 8

   7. Pour the mixture into the loaf pan and spread the batter out evenly.

9. 9

   8. Bake the loaf for 60 - 85 minutes or until golden and a fork inserted comes out clean.

10. 10

    9. Remove from oven and allow to cool before frosting.

11. 11

    For the frosting:

12. 12

    1. Place all the ingredients (except the nuts) in a mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese until soft and fluffy.

13. 13

    2. Once the loaf has cooled, top the loaf with the cream cheese frosting and sprinkle the top with nuts.

14. 14

    3. Serve with a little extra frosting on the side, if desired.