Carrot & Date Loaf

✔ No refined sugar

✔ Kid-friendly

✔ Freezer-friendly

✔ Soft bakery-style texture

📝 INGREDIENTS (1 standard loaf — 10 thick slices)

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs, room temperature

• ¼ cup olive oil or melted coconut oil

• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Natural Sweetener

• ¾ cup chopped dates (Medjool preferred)

• ½ cup hot water (for soaking dates)

Produce

• 1½ cups finely grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)

Dry Ingredients

• 1½ cups whole wheat flour (or oat flour)

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp nutmeg

• ½ tsp salt

Optional Add-ins

• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

• 2 tbsp shredded coconut

• 1 tbsp orange zest

👩‍🍳 STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1: Prepare the Dates

1. Place chopped dates in a bowl.

2. Pour hot water over them.

3. Let soak 10 minutes to soften.

4. Mash lightly with a fork or blend into paste for smoother loaf.

👉 This step ensures natural sweetness spreads evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Pan

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).

• Line an 8½ × 4½-inch loaf pan with parchment or grease lightly.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl:

• Whisk eggs until slightly frothy.

• Add oil, applesauce, vanilla, and soaked dates (with soaking water).

• Mix until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Add Carrots

• Fold in grated carrots gently until evenly distributed.

Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl:

• Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step 6: Combine Batter

• Add dry ingredients to wet mixture.

• Stir gently just until no dry streaks remain.

• Do not overmix — batter should be thick but pourable.

Step 7: Bake

• Pour batter into prepared pan.

• Smooth top.

• Bake 45–55 minutes, until:

  • Top is golden

  • Toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or with moist crumbs

Step 8: Cool

• Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.

• Let cool completely before slicing for best texture.

🧊 STORAGE

• Room temp: 2 days (covered)

• Refrigerator: Up to 6 days

• Freezer: Up to 3 months (slice before freezing)

🔥 TEXTURE & FLAVOR NOTES

• Ultra moist from carrots + applesauce

• Naturally sweet from dates

• Light warm spice flavor

• Perfect plain or toasted with nut butter

🔄 VARIATIONS

🥑 Oil-Free Version

Replace oil with extra ¼ cup applesauce.

🌾 Gluten-Free

Use certified gluten-free oat flour.

💪 High-Protein

Add 2 tbsp vanilla protein powder and 1 tbsp milk.

🍌 Banana-Carrot-Date Loaf

Replace applesauce with mashed banana.

🥜 Nut-Free

Skip nuts — still delicious.

📊 NUTRITION (Approx per slice, 10 slices)

• Calories: ~165

• Protein: ~4g

• Fiber: ~3g

• Sugar: From dates only

🧮 WW POINTS (Approx)

➡ 4 points per slice

❓Q & A

Q: Can I blend the dates instead of chopping?
Yes — blending creates smoother sweetness.

Q: Why soak dates?
It softens them and improves moisture distribution.

Q: Can I make muffins instead?
Yes — bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes.

Q: Can I skip applesauce?
Replace with yogurt or mashed banana.