Imagine a carrot bread recipe that's not only delicious but highly nourishing as well. Don't just imagine it, you can eat it too with this Kefir and Carrot Bread Recipe that's stuffed full of all the goodness of fruits, seeds, and whole grains. Easily made ahead of time and enjoyed throughout the week
We love our homemade sweet loaves made with fruits and vegetables around here, why not try this Healthy Pumpkin Bread with Apple and Granola next?
Kefir and Carrot Bread Recipe
This kefir and carrot bread is stuffed full of all the goodness fruits, seeds and whole grains have to offer.
The first glimpses of spring are starting to shine through, and I for one am SUPER excited!!!
I whipped up a sweet carrot bread to enjoy in the sun for afternoon tea with a cup of tea.
Paired with some Naturally Sweetened Honey Loquat Butter and it was positively glorious.
Ingredients
For some reason, the coming of spring always brings to mind visions of carrot cakes for me, but when it comes down to it you may as well be eating a candy bar with a lot of the recipes around!
This Kefir and Carrot Loaf is still sweet and delicious, and still tastes like spring, but is full of only good things.
It is naturally sweetened and can totally be eaten for breakfast, or an afternoon snack!
You will need:
- grated carrots;
- whole milk kefir: substitute with some buttermilk if that is easier to find;
- fresh orange or pineapple juice;
- maple syrup: sub with honey or other liquid sweetener of choice if prefered;
- raisins: sub with chopped dates or prunes;
- sunflower seeds;
- coconut oil: this is used instead of vegetable oil, which is normally used in a sweet bread like this. Feel free to use veegtable oil if you prefer;
- eggs;
- pure vanilla extract;
- whole wheat flour;
- ground flax seed: this can be found in the health food section, or you can make your own by simply blitzing whole flax seeds in a blender;
- wheat germ: this can be found in the health food section or cereal aisle of most grcoery stores;
- baking soda;
- ground cinnamon;
- ground nutmeg.
I know the list looks long, but it is made up of pretty simple everyday ingredients.
Tips Tricks and Substitutions
I used some kefir in place of the traditional buttermilk called for in a carrot bread like this.
If kefir isn't something you tend to have on hand then go on ahead and use buttermilk instead.
You can always make your own kefir using a handy guide like this one from Live Eat Learn.
Storing and Freezing
Allow the bread to cool completely before storing.
Store in an airtight container, or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap to keep in moisture.
This bread freezes really well.
TIP: make two loaves at a time and cut one into slices. Line the slices onto a baking sheet and pop them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer from the baking sheet to a large ziplock bag and pop back in the freezer. Just remove as much as needed the night before you want to enjoy it and give it a bit of a toast in the morning. Slather with some butter or honey and you are good to go.
I hope you love this lightened-up spring family favorite as much as we do.
I love hearing from you, so be sure to pop back and leave a comment if you give it a try.
Happy Eating
xx
Recipe
Kefir and Carrot Bread Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1 cup whole milk kefir
- ½ cup fresh orange or pineapple juice
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- ½ cup flax seed, ground
- ½ cup wheat germ
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325F and lightly oil a loaf tin (I used fractionated coconut oil)
- Pop the carrots, kefir, juice, maple syrup, raisins, sunflower seeds, coconut oil, eggs and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Beat ingredients together until well combined
- In another bowl, combine the flour, flax seed, what germ, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Fold the dry ingredients gradually into the carrot mixture until well combined
- Place the batter into a lightly oiled loaf tin and bake for about one hour, or until a skewer inserted into the centre of the load comes out dry. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before removing from the tin.
Alyssa @ A Bite of Inspiration says
This recipe looks so good! I'm a big fan of kefir, but have never baked with it before. I'll have to try this! Perfect for spring entertaining.
Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health says
We are on the same page here! The moment the days become warmer, I start to think about carrot cakes hehe This carrot loaf looks absolutely delicious Donna. Love that is super nutritious and made with all healthy ingredients. Yup, it's perfect for enjoying with afternoon tea. And for breakfast. Or as office snack 🙂 Pinning and sharing this!
Donna1 says
Oh thank you Natalie! It definitely is perfect for all those occasions 🙂
Molly Kumar says
The cake looks so gorgeous Donna and such great flavor combination. I'm a sucker for herbs/spices fusion and this sounds delicious. I would definitely try it soon.
Donna1 says
Thanks Molly! Hope you love it 🙂
Hanady Awada | Recipe Nomad says
Oh a hot carrot bread straight from the oven with a cup of tea sounds so yummy right now! I love that you used kefir! It's so healthy and nutritious!
Donna1 says
It is, we love it!! Now I want some straight from the oven with a cup of tea 🙂
swathi says
I haven't tried Kefir yet, your carrot loaf looks so perfect with some tangy cheese it is going to be great breakfast.
Donna1 says
Oh you should try it! If you like tangy cheese you will love kefir - its like a super creamy and tangy yogurt drink, so good!
Julie | Bunsen Burner Bakery says
I've had kefir to drink before, but never thought of baking with it! Such a great idea. And love that this is a freezer friendly bread - I love baking on free weekends and stashing things away for weekends with company!
Donna1 says
Me too Julie!! Life just gets so busy it is handy to have something squirreled away in the freezer 🙂
Jeanette Marshall says
Could coconut or almond flour be substituted for the whole wheat flour?
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
Anything with kefir gets a thumbs up from me! Making a loaf like this that isn't just yummy but has added nutritional benefits - sounds great!
Donna1 says
Exactly 🙂
ManilaSpoon says
I love kefir and often buy it because my children enjoy it, too! I bet the kefir adds not just moisture but extra flavor to this gorgeous loaf. Perfect with a cup of tea!
Donna1 says
My kids are addicted, it was actually them that got me to buy it after trying it at one of their friends houses 🙂
Megan Marlowe says
Wow, you have packed amazingly delicious flavor into this loaf. I love all the whole grains you packed into here too! Can't wait to make this loaf and enjoy a slice with a cup of tea.
Donna1 says
Haha I definitely packed a lot into one little loaf 🙂
Veena Azmanov says
I love baking with Kafir and this has carrots in it too. Yum.Looks so good. Love the color - Perfect for brunch. Now that summer is getting close - need to sort my brunch collection. Adding this one to the list. thanks
Donna1 says
I know right, the good weather shows up and suddenly everyone is all about brunch 🙂 Always nice to be prepared and have something easy and delicious to serve up!
Byron Thomas says
Oh my God, this sounds wonderful! I kept reading and scrolling and thinking, "Please cut the damn thing; I want to see what it looks like inside." And, then, finally, the glory shot comes and there it is. Such a beautiful and tasty looking loaf. I cannot wait to try this!
Donna1 says
Haha glad I was able to keep you in suspense Byron 🙂
Gillian Thompson says
I love the sound of this loaf, it would certainly get me out of bed in the morning. 🙂
Donna1 says
Especially straight from the oven! I need my husband to get up earlier and pop it in for me before I get out of bed on the weekends 🙂
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife says
I'm always looking for new bread recipes since we love making different loaves and this recipe looks fantastic. Love the carrots and sunflower seeds!
Donna1 says
We are completely addicted to home made bread as well - so much better than anything store bought (unless you have an awesome bakery close by 🙂 )
Christine McMichael says
This sounds amazing! Love that it has carrot in it. Perfect for a wholesome brunch!
Donna1 says
Exactly 🙂 And it is definitely coming up to that time of the year when brunches seem to be the thing to do!!
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ says
Spring is one of my favorite seasons. I just love to start seeing everything blooming again. This carrot loaf sounds so delicious and healthy too. I've never cooked with kefir. Think I need to give this a try.
Donna1 says
Mine too, it is definitely so uplifting to start seeing all the blooms come in. Our garden is starting to look so pretty already, and it just makes me so happy every time I look out the kitchen window 🙂 You should definitely try cooking with kefir, it is such a versatile ingredient, and so full of goodness!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Kefir is such a healthy ingredient to cook/bake with. So much nutrition, and it makes things, especially in baking, so fluffy. I would eat this delicious loaf for breakfast!!
Donna1 says
It is isn't it!! We have been loving it in our smoothies as well - so creamy!!
Sandhya Ramakrishnan says
What a wonderful idea to use all whole grains and natural sweeteners. I am a big fan of whole grain breads as I love the nuttiness and the earthiness of the loaf. This sure says spring to me and I am so ready for it.
Donna1 says
Oh I am so ready for it too 🙂 I am definitely a fan of the nuttiness and earthiness wholegrain bring to a baking - plus they keep your belly satisfied for much longer, which is always a plus, especially when there are little snack monsters around!!