The most epically moist and delicious Healthy Chai-Spiced Carrot Banana Bread loaded with warming spices and topped with the most amazing cream cheese frosting. 100% whole grain and vegan!
If I come back in another life as a baked good I WILL BE THIS BREAD OF ALL BREADS.
Sweet, sassy, fun, unique...you picking up what I'm throwing down? I'm twinning with this dream loaf! I legitimately think that a) this is my favorite blog recipe ever and b) these are my favorite photos ever.
And even though this may look like just another recipe to you, it feels really, really symbolic to me. Like the universe blessed me with this high vibin' frequency to produce something so epically luscious and drop dead gorgeous for your face.
I MEAN CAN YOU EVEN WITH THIS?
You bet your hiney that I took my Vegan Chocolate Chunk Banana Bread recipe and modified it to make this chai-spiced carrot banana bread version packed with pecans and fun chai spices and cream cheese frosting (I used my homemade Vegan Cashew Cream Cheese) because...life is too short to not put cardamom in your carrot cake.
The reason this recipe is meant to be is because despite working wild hours and wondering if I'm going insane, I felt better today staring at this carrot cake than I've felt in a long time.
It was that feeling that keeps me inspired. Simple but so strong. It all felt full circle---the past, the present, and the future.
I know what I was put on this earth to do and I'm doing it.
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Healthy Chai-Spiced Carrot Banana Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 70 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 mins
- Yield: 10 slices 1x
- Category: Snacks
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
The most epically moist and delicious Healthy Chai-Spiced Carrot Banana Bread loaded with warming spices and topped with the most amazing cream cheese frosting. 100% whole grain and vegan!
Ingredients
For the bread:
- 2 tbsp ground flax + 6 tbsp water
- ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 cup grated carrots (2 large carrots)
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour*
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp cardamom
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp allspice
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 ½ cups mashed banana (3 medium, very over-ripe bananas)
- ½ cup coconut sugar (or cane sugar or ⅓ cup maple syrup)
- 2 tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup chopped pecans, plus more for topping
For the cream cheese frosting:
- ⅓ cup cream cheese of choice, softened (I used homemade vegan cashew cream cheese)
- ⅓ cup organic powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 5x9inch loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, stir together flax and water. Set aside to thicken. Melt coconut oil in a small bowl and set aside to cool. Grate carrots and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- In a medium bowl, stir together mashed banana, grated carrot, sugar, coconut oil, milk, vanilla extract, and flax mixture.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. Gently fold in pecans. Pour into prepared baking dish and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, covering with foil after 50 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make frosting by beating together cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla (I used a hand mixer) in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Remove bread from oven and cool in pan for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on wire rack. When bread has cooled, spread with frosting and top with a sprinkling of pecans. Slice and serve!
Notes
*For a gluten-free version, readers have had success with substituting 2 cups 1:1 GF baking flour OR 1 ½ cups GF baking flour + ½ cup almond meal.
Niki says
Such a great recipe! I’ve made it in muffin tins too.
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
I’m so glad, thank you!
Amanda Olson says
Ah-mazing! I'll be making this for the third time as soon as my bananas get a little more ripe!
Alexis Joseph says
I love it!! Thanks so much, Amanda 🙂
Julia Orloff says
this recipe is INSANE! I made it with spelt flour and literally just cinnamon because I didn't have any other spices haha. I also used simple mills vanilla frosting on top...10/10 amazing. So tasty, perfect texture, everything about this is perfect.
Alexis Joseph says
I love it!! Thank you so much, Julia!!!
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmmm I love it!! Thanks a ton for the feedback, Julia!
Megan says
This is so good! It makes the house smell so cozy and amazing as it bakes. And then by some magic, it tastes even better than it smells!
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmm love when that happens!
Jenny says
I just made this yesterday and it literally combines ALL of my favorite things!! I love how you have so many vegan recipes but they can also be easily tweaked to use eggs (that's what I did with this bread since I didn't have any flax seeds) Love love love all the flavors--your recipes are definitely giving me something to do during quarantine 🙂
Alexis Joseph says
Wonderful! I agree--it's nice to have options with recipes to mess around with whatever you have on hand. Happy eating!
Kat Lozano says
This bread came out wonderful!!
Alexis Joseph says
I'm so glad to hear that, Kat! Thank you for reviewing!
Erica says
This bread is BOMB! Moist, flavorful and I feel good eating it. I love that she creates healthy foods that also taste UH-mazing. I made a few substitutions and it still turned out great. I didn’t make mine vegan, used GF flour and had walnuts on hand so I used those instead of pecans. Basically, you have no reason not to make this loaf. DO IT!
Alexis Joseph says
How awesome that GF flour worked!! Can I ask which one you used? So happy that you made it your own and it came out bomb!!
Alexis says
Mmmm love it! The more carrot the better 🙂
Melissa says
This is amazing. I just made it yesterday and it's so moist and perfect. I added raisins and also did 1.5 cups of carrot instead of just 1 cup -- it was an accident, but turns out it worked well!
Alexis says
Mmmm love it! The more carrot the better 🙂
Friv says
Looks so yummy!! I'll try it home.
Jessica says
That's really helpful to think about apple sauce instead of bananas. Thank you 🙂
Christy says
Hello! I love your blog. I read it every week for food inspiration + positive vibes, which you always deliver on. You are so bubbly and personable. I tried your recipe on Friday, and it was AMAZING! I made a loaf, and me + my roommates devoured the whole thing over the weekend. It’s a perfect snack, dessert or even breakfast (don’t tell my mom hahaha)!If anyone is interested, I didn’t have bananas so I substituted it for 1 1/2 of unsweetened applesauce, and it was perfect. Thanks so much! - Christina
Jessica says
That's really helpful to think about apple sauce instead of bananas. Thank you 🙂
Kay H. says
You are definitely a busy lady!
Next time I make this, I am switching the flax with eggs, trying a bit more coconut oil, adding more ginger and allspice and salt. I added both cane sugar and some maple syrup, but felt this was a bit bland. I agree with the readers who recommended a shorter baking time. Good concept, but needs a little tweaking for my taste. That is the beauty of a recipe like this.
Alexis says
Hi there! The loaf is super moist per the recipe—are you spooning and leveling the flour versus packing it in? Oven temps do vary as well. Enjoy!
Heather Groblebe says
I made this delicious bread last night. It was everything I'd hoped it would be. ? It has the taste of an exotic banana bread, so warm and aromatic. Moist, tasty and delightful. Bravo!
Alexis says
Thank you so much! If you could leave a star rating I’d be so grateful!
Penny says
Hey, Alexis! I absolutely love this recipe--it's so creative! I'm usually a pb&chocolate banana bread gal, but this chai banana bread ruled! Awesome hybrid of carrot cake and banana bread. I add 1/2 a teaspoon of ginger and cinammon to the cream cheese frosting--SOO freakin' good! I have celiac, so I used 1 cup of oat flour and one cup of gluten free pancake mix, which worked PERFECTLY (oat flour can gte heavy as I'm sure you know). Love you girl!!
Alexis says
Omg I love your additions! And how fun that pancake mix worked! Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
Kristin says
holy moly, this looks amazing. thanks for hustling and sharing the fruits of your labor with us! i'm going to plan to make this bread this weekend!
Stephanie says
Made this this week and it’s one of my new favorite quick breads. The frosting amount was just enough to sweeten it up without being too much. Plus my kids loved frosting the bread for me. I think the spices were a little too much for my kiddos but that’s fine because I have the whole loaf to myself now. ? I also found that baking for 70 mins was a bit too long. 60 was perfect.
Alexis says
Yay! You can totally leave the cardamom out and stick with cinnamon for the kiddos 🙂
Stephanie says
Made this this week and it’s one of my new favorite quick breads. The frosting amount was just enough to sweeten it up without being too much. Plus my kids loved frosting the bread for me. I think the spices were a little too much for my kiddos but that’s fine because I have the whole loaf to myself now. ? I also found that baking for 70 mins was a bit too long. 60 was perfect.
Alexis says
Yay! You can totally leave the cardamom out and stick with cinnamon for the kiddos 🙂
Jwiltz says
This was excellent. I think next time I am going to add extra carrots because it reminds me of my favorite carrot cake. I did add walnuts and dried blueberries to the batter and I forget the icing. I am not an icing person. Everyone that had it LOVED it! Since my spouse who is now eating better, thought it was plenty sweet and ate half of it?
Usually, I have the whole thing to myself because the complaint is that the baked goods are not sweet enough. Now all I have to do is say, “It’s from Alexis at Hummusapien!”
Jwiltz says
This was excellent. I think next time I am going to add extra carrots because it reminds me of my favorite carrot cake. I did add walnuts and dried blueberries to the batter and I forget the icing. I am not an icing person. Everyone that had it LOVED it! Since my spouse who is now eating better, thought it was plenty sweet and ate half of it?
Usually, I have the whole thing to myself because the complaint is that the baked goods are not sweet enough. Now all I have to do is say, “It’s from Alexis at Hummusapien!”
Doreen says
this was quite yummy, I would say it's more of a breakfast kind of cake with tea, it almost tastes like a fruit cake..
i'm surprised at your cooking time?? It only took 35 min for mine to bake and I could have taken out 5 min earlier... what setting do you bake on? (fan or top/bottom grills...)?
Alexis says
Hmmm I baked mine in the middle of the oven. I used very mushy bananas. You could always add more sweetener if you prefer a sweeter cake but I thought it was perfect with the frosting!
Doreen says
this was quite yummy, I would say it's more of a breakfast kind of cake with tea, it almost tastes like a fruit cake..
i'm surprised at your cooking time?? It only took 35 min for mine to bake and I could have taken out 5 min earlier... what setting do you bake on? (fan or top/bottom grills...)?
Alexis says
Hmmm I baked mine in the middle of the oven. I used very mushy bananas. You could always add more sweetener if you prefer a sweeter cake but I thought it was perfect with the frosting!
madalin stunt cars 2 says
Girlllllll , I’m loving all these baked goods you’ve been posting!! Can’t wait to try this one. What’s your cream cheese recipe??
Alexis says
The full recipe is coming soon, but I laid out the recipe here! https://www.hummusapien.com/what-i-ate-this-week-15/
GoGoAnime says
These look so tasty! I love your blog! Definitely an inspiration for us newbies
Alexis says
Same amount!!
Cindy wilson says
What would the amount be if using AP flour?
Alexis says
Yep! 2 eggs 🙂
Kayla says
3 things make me happy about this post:
1) Your work ethic is SO inspiring, it pushes me to keep working at my corporate job until I can finally do what I love- restaurants/food!
2) These pics. I'm drooling. More inspo to up my photography game ASAP
3) I'm so glad I'm not the only one that gets "that feeling" from an awesome food picture/recipe/etc.
Love it, thanks and can't wait to try!!
Alexis says
Thank you SO much, Kayla!! Means the world 🙂
Laura O'Connor says
Could you substiture eggs instead of flax? If so, how may would you suggest?
Alexis says
Thanks so much Dixya! Glad you’re on the cardamom train 🙂
Alexis says
Yessss enjoy!
Meghan says
This look absolutely amazing. Putting on my need-to-make list!
Adrienne Sraver says
Had all the ingredients and whipped this up last night! Love the spice flavor and great texture.
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says
owning businesses or juggling jobs is not easy and i have a huge respect for you, always being open about your journey! and...yes to all things cardamom.
Emily @ Zen & Spice says
Yum! I love cream cheese frosting so this looks awesome. Congrats on the second store opening! That's so exciting!
Lisa says
My mouth is literally watering reading this recipe and looking at the pictures. I can't wait to try it! Thank you for all of your hard work that is trickling down to make me a better person. You continue to be so inspirational.
Alexis says
You’re the sweetest. You made my night, Lisa!
Hannah says
YUM! I was so excited to see this recipe. Thank you for sharing, can't wait to make it!
Kori says
I always have great success with Bob's Red Mill 1-for-1 all purpose GF flour! My husband has Celiac, and we both enjoy baked goods made with this blend.
Alexis says
Bobs GF 1 for 1 is amazing!
Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says
Looks SO DELISH! You're such a BOSS; keep rocking! <3
Nicole @ Laughing My Abs Off says
Looks SO DELISH! You're such a BOSS; keep rocking! <3
Courtney Glausi says
Girlllllll , I’m loving all these baked goods you’ve been posting!! Can’t wait to try this one. What’s your cream cheese recipe??
Isabella says
Wow, you're amazing! I can feel you so much rigth now, keep up your good work! 😉
I want to try this bread RIGHT NOW but do you have a gluten-free substitute for the flour or is it important for the texture?
Thanks so much!
Yours, Isabella
Alexis says
Bobs GF 1 for 1 is amazing!
Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy says
All your bread recipes lately have me SWOONING.
Mackenna says
Thanks for the recipes as always ! I am such a fan. Quick question- have you posted the recipe for the cashew cream cheese, and if so where can I find it?
Thanks so much!
Alexandra Rae of Fully Nourished says
You're a force to be reckon with , and you inspire me to be one too!! Thanks for sharing your authentic story and so OBSESSED with this recipe! Cannot wait to make it! I think I'll make it in honor of RD day!
Dylan Miles says
That cream cheese icing is EVERYTHING. Proud of you, girl! #BossLady 🙂
emily vardy says
Reading about how happy you are with this recipe and overall stuff makes me so happy for you 😀
Someone (Kylie/immaeatthat, I think) posted a chai bread recipe last week sometime and I was thinking of trying that, but this looks good on a whole nother level! The spice of chai plus the solidity of carbs just sounds like such a good comfort food to me.
Kori says
Thank you so much for sharing what it takes to run your businesses! I’m in awe of your work ethic. I’m also in awe of this bread. Matt & I are do excited to enjoy this on Easter!