Ready to bake something that is cozy and packed with flavor? This recipe combines fresh veggies, sweet apples and a touch of spice.
It’s a perfect appetizer if you are looking to try something new and it’s sure to impress. So, let’s dive right into it.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 eggs room temperature
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 3¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 2½ tsp baking powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of ground cloves
- pinch of ground nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup shredded zucchini
- 1 cup diced peeled apple
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- Cream Cheese Glaze/Frosting:
- ½ cup cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1-3 tbsp orange juice as needed
Instructions
1. Preheat and Prepare: Heat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 8×4-inch loaf pans, or go the easy route and use baking spray with flour.
Line the pans with parchment paper for easy lifting, then set them aside.
2. Drain the Zucchini: Put the shredded zucchini in a clean kitchen towel. Gather the corners, twist tightly, and squeeze out as much moisture as you can.
Set the drained zucchini aside for now.
3. Whisk the Dry Mix: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
This fragrant mix will give the bread its cozy, spiced flavor. Set the bowl aside.
4. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, blend the melted butter and sugar until combined.
Add the eggs, orange juice, and vanilla extract, and whisk until smooth and creamy.
5. Combine and Fold: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Add in the shredded carrots, squeezed zucchini, chopped apples, and pecans.
Stir gently until everything is just combined—be careful not to overmix!
6. Pour and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the tops are golden and the loaves bounce back when pressed lightly.
7. Cool and Prepare the Frosting: Let the loaves cool completely before frosting. To make the cream cheese frosting, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
8. Finish and Frost: Slowly add in 2 cups of powdered sugar while mixing. Drizzle in orange juice until you reach the perfect frosting consistency.
Spread the frosting over the cooled loaves.
Now that your bread is frosted and ready, it’s time to enjoy your hard work. So, slice, and indulge in your delicious, moist bread!