I am really in the mood for Easter, I have been cooking up a storm making a few Easter themed treats. During the Easter break I am going to be away, so I want to be able to take a few healthy treats away. We are going to North Stradbroke Island, which is in the Moreton Bay area of Queensland, I have never been there, so I am really looking forward to it.
For this recipe I adapted my banana and pecan loaf to make this delicious carrot and date loaf and it turned out beautifully.
A funny story about this loaf… for the first time I decided to make a cooking video to demonstrate in person how to make this recipe. I have been wanting to make a video for ages so I thought that I would give it a go this weekend. It is not as easy as it looks, for a start Cameron my husband was laughing so hard that we had to stop, then my daughter was wanting to help me cook, then a visitor showed up, then the neighbor started mowing! Maybe I am just not meant to make a video! Anyway in the end I finished the video, it’s not a work of art by any stretch and I still have to work out how to edit it, but the viewer will get the idea on how to make this carrot and date loaf. When I upload it, I will be sure to let you know.
Anyway I hope that you enjoy this Easter recipe!
- 1 cup ground almonds (almond meal)
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- ½ cup dried dates, chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 3 eggs
- 2 ripe banana's
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Dash of vanilla extract
- 2 cups grated carrots
- ½ chopped walnuts
- Pre-heat the oven at 180 degrees and prepare a loaf pan lined with baking paper.
- In the food processor place the almond meal, coconut flour, dates, ginger, cinnamon and salt. Process until the mixture is combined and the dates are very fine.
- Place the dry mixture into a large bowl and set aside.
- Now place all of the wet ingredients into the food processor including the eggs, banana's, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil and vanilla.
- Blend in the food processor until smooth and combined.
- Add the carrots and chopped walnuts to the bowl of dry ingredients and then add the wet ingredients. Stir until combined.
- Place the loaf batter in the loaf tin and place in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean.
- Slice the loaf and eat warm straight from the oven or eat it once it has cooled.
I’m so exited to try this- thank you!
It’s so hard to find good paleo baking recipes!
Thanks for stopping by Harriet. I hope you enjoyed the loaf 🙂
Can you substitute baby food carrots for grated carrots?
Yes you can Sandy. x
I made this and it was absolutely divine. Another winner Caralee 🙂
Thanks Sheila xx
Your recipes are amazing Caralee. I purchased your book, truly inspiring. Just to double check when using the coconut oil when baking do you have to melt it and measure it melted or just measure out of the jar.
Hi Linda. Thanks for stopping by and I am so glad that you like the book 🙂 I usually measure it straight from the jar and then melt it if I need to. Happy cooking 🙂 xx
Thank you. Your website is also great for recipes. I love that you can just throw all the ingredients into the food processor.
Yum! I just made this and it is AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing the recipe it’s a goodie!
Hi Rowena. Thanks for your message. I am glad you loved it! 🙂
Caralee, in one of the photos, there is a ‘butter spread’ on the loaf. Can you tell me what you used as I assume it wasn’t butter?? Thanks!
Hi Melissa. It is actually just butter in this case. I don’t usually spread butter on anything but did on this day. xx
I love the sound of this and want go make it today but don’t have coconut flour can I just leave out or any ideas for a substitute?
Hi Connie. You can use almond flour but you will need double the amount. 🙂
Wow! Totally amazing cake, I put a bit too much oil in so will adjust that next time :).
Hi Ann-Marie. I love this cake too, thanks for stopping by xx
Looks great! I just started working on the prep then realized the temp for the oven is 180 degrees, is this correct?
Hi Melissa. Yes that is correct in Celisius 🙂 xx
Is 180 degrees correct? I have followed the directions, but at the end of the time, it is definitely not done!
Thanks-looks delicious
Hi Cathy. Yes that is correct 180 degrees celsius. I hope that it worked out for you. xx
Caralee, thanks for such a wonderful recipe. Because of the eggs though, it’s not dairy free.
What can I use as substitute?
Thanks so much I can’t wait to see the video even with all it’s bumps
Hi there
You could use chia seeds made into a gel to supplement the eggs. Say 1 table spoon of chia and 1/3 a cup of water, wait until the chia is gel like and then mix together.
Hi, this looks divine and something my girls would enjoy. They are allergic to nuts, was wondering what other flour I could use instead of almond meal? Any suggestions.
Hi Kate. You could try coconut flour (only 1/2 cup), quinoa flour, regular flour, or any other flour that suits as to make it nut free. This loaf is one of my favourites. 🙂 xx
I was looking for a recipe to replicate a loaf that is sold at a local deli and this is amazing. My problem is that I now have a WHOLE LOAF and not just one slice and it is so hard to stop eating it! Thanks so much for a great recipe, I love it.
Thanks Sharlene, I am glad that you are loving the recipe xx
Awesome recipe! Thank you for posting it 🙂 I was hoping for some tips on how to get a denser / dryer loaf like in your picture. Mine came out quick soggy looking even giving it an extra 10 minutes. It’s a tad wobbly and soggy in texture.
Hi Craig. Maybe in your oven you needed to leave it baking for a little longer, every oven is slightly different. It sounds to me that it was just not cooked for long enough. 🙂
I just made this for my coeliac husband and I feel like after a lot of baking fails (not your recipes) it was a wonderful suprise to have something gf that was delicious! The loaf was moist and not crumbly and you wouldn’t even be able to tell it was sugarfree as the dates and banana provide enough sweetness. Will definitely be saving this to make again!
Really great recipe, love the flavor. Baked mine in a cake pan, turned out sooooo goooood!
Hi Jen
Thank you for your message. I am glad that you love the recipe, it is a fav of mine too!
Caralee xx
I love this recipe but find in 180degree oven I had to cook for at least 45 mins. My oven is brand new so its definitely correct temp. Maybe your loaf tin is bigger ? Might be worth putting what size loaf tin you use please. Mine is quite deep.