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Whole Wheat Carrot Cake | Bread

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Whole Wheat Carrot Cake is a simple, quick, and deliciously moist cake. Grated carrots added to the batter adds to the moistness of the cake as well as give it a light texture. Walnuts or pecans are added to give it a nice crunch and cinnamon for flavour and taste.

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake is a simple, quick and delicious moist cake. Grated carrots added to the batter adds to the moistness of the cake as well as give it a light texture. Walnuts or pecans are added to give it a nice crunch and cinnamon for flavour and taste. A slice of cake is served, seen in the background is the whole loaf

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Carrot Cake or Carrot Bread?

There is a lot of discussion on the net for the difference between a cake and a bread. For me, a cake is something where the sugar is beaten with some fat to make it light and fluffy. Then the flour and rest of the ingredients added.


Technically a bread is something where we add the yeast (sourdough or yeast) to the flour and water mix and let it rise. A bread generally does not have much sugar, except for a few like Challah Bread.

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake is a simple, quick and delicious moist cake. Grated carrots added to the batter adds to the moistness of the cake as well as give it a light texture. Walnuts or pecans are added to give it a nice crunch and cinnamon for flavour and taste.


Vegetable or Fruit in Bread

But yes now, quick bread such as this carrot cake or, Zucchini chocolate bread, Banana Bread, Pumpkin Bundt Cake where the cake has some vegetable or fruit are now called as bread. They are also generally baked in a loaf tin or are like one bowl cakes. So whatever you call them. For me, this is a cake, but yes I give the name as bread too for those who like to call it bread.


Sneaking Veggies in Cake or Bread

I love to sneak veggies in cakes. A good way to add something healthy to what your child loves. They will not understand until they see it except for a few where the veggies add color or if you grate it a bit thick. Secondly adding veggies make the cake moist and light. So go on and experiment with different veggies in your cake.

Slice of Whole Wheat Carrot Cake


Whole Wheat Cake or Atta Cake

I like to use whole wheat flour or the Atta which we use to make for our Indian Rotis. I have stopped using All purpose flour or maida in cakes. If the process and the recipe are followed the cake from whole wheat also comes out nice. At times they might be a bit denser than all-purpose flour as flour varies. Also, I find that the plain flour or the maida cakes are sweet compared to the whole wheat cake with the same quantity of sugar.


Today’s recipe process of Whole Wheat Carrot Cake

I have been baking this cake for more than 7 years now. And every time I fall in love with this beauty. Earlier I used to make it round shape and now I bake it in a loaf tin. It’s your choice. At times I have used this cake as a base for a birthday cake as well with a nice frosting. I have adapted this recipe from here with my tweaks.


I love to add more walnuts or pecans in this cake or bread. You can add a bit less if required. But adding the same adds to the crunch and gives a nice texture to the cake.

The process is quite simple. Sift the dry ingredients. Beat the eggs, add the sugar, oil, and vanilla extract. Add in the dry ingredients and mix. Then fold in the carrots and the chopped and roasted nuts. Pour in the batter in a prepared loaf tin and bake it. That’s it, easy right? If you are interested in any of the recipes below, before proceeding to today’s recipe of Whole Wheat Carrot Cake, check the links below.


Can this cake be stored?

This cake stays good for 1-2 outside, 4-5 days in the fridge. If you wish to store longer, slice and store it in the feezer. It can be stored for upto 6 months. Defrost and use as required.


Few more Vegetable/Fruit Cake Ideas on my blog

Zucchini chocolate Whole Wheat Bread
Zucchini chocolate Whole Wheat Bread which is quick to make and is moist, light and a perfect chocolaty treat for all age groups.
Check out this recipe
Zucchini chocolate Whole Wheat Bread
Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Whole Wheat Banana Bread is deliciously moist bread made using ripe bananas to be enjoyed as an evening or a travel snack or a treat for your kids lunchbox.
Check out this recipe
Whole Wheat Banana Bread
Double Chocolate Whole Wheat Banana Bread
This Double Chocolate whole Wheat Banana Bread is overloaded with chocolate flavours. It is super moist and light and a delicious chocolaty treat.
Slices of close up texture of double Chocolate Whole Wheat Banana Bread on a brown board.
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bundt Cake
This Pumpkin Cake is so moist and is made with the spices available at home, a perfect recipe for this fall.
Check out this recipe
Pumpkin Bundt Cake is a fall favourite moist whole Wheat cake, made using fresh pumpkin puree and lightly spiced with cinnamon and ginger
Gluten free Double Chocolate Banana Bread
This Gluten Free Double Chocolate Banana Bread is loaded with chocolate and is gluten free, dairy free, nut free and sugar free.
Check out this recipe
Gluten Free Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Whole Wheat Butternut Squash and Apple Muffins
Whole Wheat Butternut Squash and Apple Muffins are deliciously light, moist and loaded with the goodness of oats and fruits.
Check out this recipe
Whole Wheat Butternut Squash and Apple Muffins are deliciously light, moist and loaded with the goodness of oats and fruits.
Fudgy Chocolate Apple Brownies
Fudgy Chocolate Apple brownies are a fudgy, moist and delicious fall treat loaded with apples and some chocolate.  
Check out this recipe
Apple brownies stacked one above the other. Seen along side is a tray of baked apple brownie along with some flowers.


And before I proceed to the recipe, Have you tried my Lemon Cake which is free of baking powder and baking soda, i.e. it does not uses any leavening agent. Leaving a link below, if you are interested in checking the recipe,

Lemon Cake (No Baking Powder, No Baking Soda)
This Lemon cake without any baking powder or baking soda (i.e. without leavening agent), is very light, spongy, lemony , sweet and Refreshing.
Check out this recipe
Lemon Cake (No Baking Powder, No Baking Soda)


Recipe is updated today, i.e. 2nd October 2020, with step by step pics and more detailed instructions.


So here goes the recipe for Wholewheat Carrot Cake|Bread

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake is a simple, quick and delicious moist cake. The cake is perfect for tea time or any festive celebrations.

Whole Wheat Carrot Cake

Made with the goodness of Carrots, this whole wheat carrot cake is moist and a healthy treat for kids and adults alike
4.88 from 16 votes
Print Pin Rate Save
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: International
Keyword: Cakes, Carrot, Kids Food, PartyFood, Vegetables, Whole Wheat Cake
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Author: Renu Agrawal-Dongre

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Grater/Food Processor
  • Baking Loaf Tin (23.5 *13.3*6.99 cm)

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups  340 gms shredded raw Carrots (I roughly put it around 2 1/2 cups, a bit more or less is fine, but not too much)
  • 4 large eggs
  • cup 240 ml vegetable, sunflower (Any flavourless oil can be used)
  • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 Cup (260 gms) Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon (Optional)
  • 1 1/4 Cups (250 gms) Dark Brown Sugar
  • 1 Cup (100 gms) Pecans or Walnuts or Almonds

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 180 Deg Celsius.
  • Line a Loaf pan with liner or one can just spray or grease the pan with oil. Dust it with some flour.
    Dusting the loaf tin
  • Dry roast the nuts in a pan or in the oven for 7-8 minutes until they are fragrant.
  • Let them cool down completely. Chop it into smaller pieces and keep aside.
  • Grate the Carrots using a medium size grater.
  • In a large bowl, sift together the whole wheat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon.
  • In another large bowl beat the eggs using a whisker or your hand mixer, until light and frothy. (around 2 mins with whisker , 1 min with the hand mixer)
    beaten eggs
  • Then add the oil, sugar and vanilla extract and beat until well blended. (around 3-4 minutes)
  • Add in the dry mixture and mix just until incorporated.
    Adding of dry mixture in the batter
  • Be sure to scrape or mix from the bottom. Sometimes the flour remains at the bottom
  • Add in the grated carrots, and nut mixture.
  • Fold into the flour mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not over mix.
  • Fill in the Loaf pan to 2/3rd with batter and bake for 55-60 minutes or until they are springy or a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean.
    Cake Ready to be baked
  • Keep your eye after 45 minutes.  Remove from oven and place on a wire rack and let it cool completely.
    Just out of the oven
  • Yummy and healthy Whole Wheat Carrot Cake is ready.

Notes

  • 1 Cup = 240 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml
  • Baking time varies and depends on your oven. Keep an close to the baking times mentioned above. 
  • If your oven is too hot, it is best to reduce temperature by 5-10 Deg C while baking
  • I have used a large loaf tin here.
  • Instead of a loaf tin a round tin can be used. Baking time will however vary depending on the pan used.
 
 
Tried this recipe?Share your feedback @cookwithrenu_ad or tag #cookwithrenu_ad
Disclaimer: I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.


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Whole Wheat Carrot Cake is a simple, quick and delicious moist cake. Grated carrots added to the batter adds to the moistness of the cake as well as give it a light texture. Walnuts or pecans are added to give it a nice crunch and cinnamon for flavour and taste.


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Whole Wheat Carrot Cake | Bread


Whole Wheat Carrot Cake | Bread

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Recipe Rating




AMH

Thursday 15th of April 2021

Lovely recipes, I used a little less sugar so that I could make it more like bread. I toasted this in the morning with butter and it was delicious! I also added sultanas.

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Friday 16th of April 2021

Thank you so much for your feedback. Glad you liked it.

Deepa

Saturday 2nd of January 2021

Thanks for the recipe. It turned out really well.

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Saturday 2nd of January 2021

Thank you so much for your feedback. If you can please rate the recipe as well, as it helps others. Thanks, Renu

Elza Varghese

Saturday 7th of November 2020

Hi Renu, as excited as I am about the number of whole wheat recipes you have here, I’m quite apprehensive about baking with atta and what it does to the texture of cakes. Q1: what size of round pan did you use for the same amount of bake time? Q2: can I halve this recipe? If so, what about the measure of raising agents?

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Monday 9th of November 2020

hi, You can go with 2- 9*2 inches round pan with this one. The remaining measures would remain the same. Baking time around 25-30 minutes.

Thanks, Renu

Kalyani

Thursday 15th of October 2020

... and of course the cake looks gorgeous, esp that slice.. perfect with a cup of tea :-)

Kalyani

Thursday 15th of October 2020

veggie based cakes / breads are super moist and nutritious too.. am missing my oven now.. Is this the same bread your niece baked from your blog ? If I ma not mistaken, I think I saw ur IG / FB post on the same

Renu Agrawal Dongre

Thursday 15th of October 2020

Thank you, very much. No she baked this, Whole Wheat Banana Bread, and now she baked it 3 times already.