Gluten-free Carrot Apple Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting

This gluten-free Carrot Apple Bread is such a delicious sweet apple cake to make with a carrot cake twist. Plus it is iced with a homemade cream cheese frosting that is too die for.

It is almost apple season!!!! Even though it is always apple season over here. Because I eat an apple every single day. Not kidding – there isn’t a day that passes that I don’t crave an apple. Usually it’s around 1pm everyday and I am a crazy creature of habit like that.

This apple carrot cake though is a whole other level than just biting into an apple to snack on. It has the best of both worlds with apples, carrots and a cream cheese frosting. Plus I sprinkle some walnuts on top too because you know how much I love a good crunch! This makes for a delicious dessert recipe, sweet snack or you can serve it for a brunch! It’s one of those recipes that always hits the spot. And as you’ll see below, you can easily make this dairy-free too if you prefer.

Tip: when the bread is in the oven, cream together the cream cheese frosting to smear on top! You won’t regret it.

What ingredients are in gluten-free carrot apple bread with cream cheese frosting:

• Unsweetened applesauce – no subs for this. I look for organic unsweetened applesauce to use
• Coconut sugar – I don’t recommend subbing for maple syrup instead
• Non-dairy milk – any milk option like flaxseed milk, almond milk or oat milk
• Flax egg – or use 1 regular egg if you prefer. Either works here
• Almond flour – you can likely use gluten-free oat flour as well
• Gluten-free rolled oats -if you use oat flour, you only need 1/2 cup of oats
• Shredded carrots – squeeze out the moisture too if they are looking too wet
• Chopped apple – we also take the skin off, but personally preference! Any apple variety works
• Cream cheese – you can use vegan cream cheese or regular

How to make carrot apple bread:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with parchment paper
2. In a large bowl, mix together applesauce, coconut sugar, milk, flax egg and vanilla until smooth
3. Mix in the almond flour, oats, baking powder and spices until well combined
4. Fold in carrots and apples then add to bread dish and bake in oven for 40-42 minutes (I stick a toothpick in and when it comes out clean – it is ready!)
5. While the bread is baking, make the cream cheese frosting by creaming together the cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla with hand mixer
6. Spread the frosting on the carrot cake when it is cool and slice and enjoy!

Best tips for success making carrot apple bread:

• You can use any apple variety you’d like here. I look for honey crisp usually or pink lady to bake but really any kind works! I am a sucker for sweeter apples
• The cream cheese frosting is technically optional but I think it makes it taste even more amazing. Who doesn’t want a cream cheese frosting?! YUM
• This recipe can easily be vegan and/or dairy-free but using flax egg and vegan cream cheese instead of regular
• I love making this as a dessert, sweet snack or breakfast bread all year around! And it tastes killer with some vanilla ice cream on the side too
• To see if the loaf is done, stick a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean then you are set! If not, then bake longer

A few other delicious apple and carrot recipes to make:

Crazy Good Vegan Apple Cobbler (gluten-free)

The Best Healthy Apple Bread Ever (vegan + gluten-free)

The Best Damn Vegan Carrot Crumb Cake (gluten-free)

Vegan Carrot Cake Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting