Homemade Monday - Carrot Bread

Confession: My family may or may not have had fast food/ gone out to eat almost every day last week. The combination of busy schedules, tired momma, and a weird sewer pipe {don't ask} made for a very lazy week in the kitchen. BUT I did get at least one good, solid, homemade item done on time for our special Friday family day...

Better Homes and Gardens featured a section of recipes based on things that can come from your own garden, for this month. Well, I don't have a garden - but I did have ALL the ingredients already in my fridge and cupboards. And it's one of the best breads I've ever tasted - could replace my passion for pumpkin bread, even. :) Yes, passion! Hey, I'm almost 9 months prego here! But I did love that there are 2 cups of veggies in it!

Carrot Bread w/ Cream Cheese Icing

2 c. flour

2/3 c. packed brown sugar

2 t. baking powder

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. ground cardamom or nutmeg {used nutmeg}

1/4 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

2 c. shredded carrots

2 beaten eggs

2/3 c. milk

1/3 c. canola oil

1) Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom of sides of (1) 8x4 loaf pan OR (3) 4 3/4x 2 1/2 pans; set aside.

2) In a bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and chosen spice {cardamom or nutmeg}, soda and salt. In another bowl combine carrots, eggs, milk, and oil; add to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

3) Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake for 55-60 minutes for larger pan or 30-35 minutes for mini pans until toothpick inserted comes out clean. If the loaves are browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.

4) Cool bread in pan(s) on wire rack for 10 minutes; remove and cool completely on baking rack. Wrap in foil and store overnight before slicing. Glaze with cream cheese frosting prior to serving.

*For Cream Cheese frosting combine by whisking 1 oz. cream cheese, 3/4 c. powdered sugar and a little milk until smooth and glazelike. Drizzle over bread.

I even got a thumbs up for this guy - my non-veggie man! We loved this special treat with our Coffee. And, the whole thing was gone before Sunday morning even got to us. :) Yum!