Applesauce Carrot Cake Loaf with Streusel Topping
Moist applesauce carrot cake loaf with a crunchy streusel topping. A flavorful option for breakfast, snack or dessert!
My biggest gripe about movies that are remakes is when they don’t follow the original storyline. They leave out huge parts for the sake of an easier/shorter/cheaper to make movie. Eh hem… Harry Potter. I know those were already huge budget films that were several hours long. So adding everything in would’ve been hard. But, there were big things left out of some of those that still bug me.
Or they change things drastically. Case in point… Jem. Yes, we’re going to have a discussion about Jem. Stay with me. I promise this is going somewhere…or skip ahead to the recipe.
I loved the cartoon growing up. What 80’s girl didn’t? It was fun and quirky. BTW… there are 3 full seasons on Netflix if you’re interested in ever watching it again. When rumors came out about a movie, I was intrigued. I wasn’t ready to run out to the theater and watch it, but I knew I’d eventually see it. Surely my girls would enjoy it.
We finally had the chance to watch it yesterday. My expectations were low. I was sure it would be cheesy, and it was. My issue with it is that they drastically changed it. It didn’t follow the same storyline as the cartoon. So, why call it Jem if it’s not going to really be Jem?
With that being said, it wasn’t horrible if you can get past the major issues. It did have a good theme and reminders…a girl taking risks to find who she really is, never forgetting family etc. I know the kids enjoyed it. And, I’ll admit I’m at least tempted to get the soundtrack, or maybe a song or two. I’m a sucker for a fun song.
I’ve fully jumped into all things Spring and I’m not going back. I know Spring technically doesn’t start for a few more weeks, but I’ve been itching for it to get here for aaaages. I’ve been craving all things lemon and carrot cake. Don’t be surprised if there is a lot more of those flavors to come.
I’m a huge fan of carrot cake. Which is surprising since I’m typically not a fan of carrots but thankfully anything carrot cake flavored doesn’t taste like carrots if it’s done right. It’s a great addition for moisture, color and sometimes texture.
This loaf disappeared! Everyone loved it. My kids were especially fond of the streusel topping.
Add this easy applesauce carrot cake loaf to your Spring baking plans! This is an absolute must make!
Applesauce Carrot Cake Loaf with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
Streusel:
- 1/4 C all purpose flour
- 2 Tb light brown sugar
- 1 Tb granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 2 Tb unsalted butter, melted
Batter:
- 2 Tb vegetable oil
- 1/3 C applesauce
- 1/4 C light brown sugar
- 1/2 C granulated sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 C carrots, finely shredded
- 1 1/2 C all purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease remaining short sides of pan. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine dry streusel ingredients. Pour in medlted butter. Blend together with a fork or spoon, breaking up larger pieces. Set aside.
- Finely shred carrots, chopping as desired to break up any larger pieces.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine vegetable oil with applesauce. Mix in sugar, followed by eggs and vanilla. Mix until fully combined. Add cinnamon, salt and baking powder, mixing until just combined. Add carrots, followed by flour, mixing until no streaks remain. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Use a spoon to sprinkle streusel topping over batter.
- Bake for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan.
- Carefully remove loaf by pulling up and outwards on parchment paper. Remove parchment paper and slice into desired thicknesses.
- Store in an airtight container for up to several days.
Notes
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This cake looks amazing. The crumb topping puts it over the edge. No frosting means it’s not really cake so we can call it breakfast and still have dessert later.
Thanks Emily! And yes, it’s perfect for breakfast or dessert!
I loved Jem too. I totally forgot they made it into a movie. Now I want to see what you mean. I don’t really remember the plot from the show though so maybe it won’t bother me. The girls have a “snow” day today so maybe we’ll stream it this afternoon. Love this carrot cake loaf so much too and that it is relatively low in oil. So many carrot cakes have too much oil.
I have a feeling your girls might enjoy it. I hope they enjoyed their snow day! :)
I’ll take two slices, please! I can’t resist carrot cake and that streusel topping looks incredible.
Thanks Ashley!
OH WOW – I see why your kids loved that streusel topping – it looks freaking fantabulous! This cake-loaf would maybe last 20 minutes out of the oven in our house!
Thanks Shashi!
I can’t believe how incredibly moist this carrot cake loaf looks! That applesauce worked it’s magic! Wish I had a piece with my coffee this morning!
Thanks Danae!
When do you put on the topping? Is it at the same time that you pour the batter into the pan?
Whoops! Thanks for catching that omission. Yes, add the streusel after adding the batter to the pan.
Rachel this as so many delicious ingredients and it must be a real crowd pleaser. I’m going to make this for my colleague’s leaving party xoxo
Thanks so much! I hope everyone enjoys it! :)
This recipe looks great. I’m got ingredients lined up ready to go but have
1 question. Is 1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder enough or should it be a bit more? Thanks
Follow the ingredients as listed for best results. :)
You forgot to add amount of carrots in the recipe.
It’s there…It’s the second to last ingredient, just before the flour. You’ll need 1 1/2 cups. Enjoy! :)
I doubled the topping since I made these as muffins. They are very tasty! My kids approved. I will definitely make them again.
So glad everyone enjoyed them!