🥕🍯 Carrot and Date Loaf (Mediterranean-Style)
A naturally sweet, moist, and wholesome loaf made with fresh carrots, soft dates, olive oil, and warm spices. This Mediterranean-inspired bake skips refined sugar and relies on the natural caramel richness of dates for sweetness.
It’s:
✔ Refined sugar-free
✔ Made with olive oil
✔ Fiber-rich
✔ Perfect for breakfast or tea
✔ Freezer-friendly
📝 Description
This Carrot and Date Loaf is tender, gently spiced, and lightly sweet with deep caramel notes from chopped dates. Fresh grated carrots add moisture and natural sweetness, while olive oil keeps the crumb soft and heart-healthy.
Unlike traditional carrot cake, this loaf is less sugary and more wholesome — making it ideal for a Mediterranean-style snack or light breakfast.
Enjoy it plain, with a spread of Greek yogurt, or lightly toasted with nut butter.
🛒 Ingredients (Makes 1 loaf – 8–10 slices)
🥕 Dry Ingredients:
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1½ cups whole wheat flour (or half whole wheat, half all-purpose)
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1 tsp baking powder
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½ tsp baking soda
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1 tsp cinnamon
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¼ tsp nutmeg
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¼ tsp salt
🍯 Wet Ingredients:
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2 eggs
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⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
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⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
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½ cup chopped soft dates (pitted)
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1 cup finely grated carrot (about 2 medium carrots)
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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2–3 tbsp honey (optional, depending on sweetness preference)
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2–3 tbsp milk (if needed for texture)
Optional Add-ins:
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¼ cup chopped walnuts
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1 tbsp orange zest
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1 tbsp chia seeds
👩🍳 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line or grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk eggs, olive oil, yogurt, vanilla, and honey (if using).
Fold in grated carrots and chopped dates.
Step 4: Combine
Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture.
If batter seems thick, add 1–2 tbsp milk.
Fold in walnuts if using.
Step 5: Bake
Pour batter into loaf pan.
Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to wire rack.
🌿 Mediterranean Nutrition Benefits
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Dates → natural sweetness + fiber
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Carrots → beta-carotene (vitamin A)
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Olive oil → heart-healthy fats
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Whole wheat flour → slow-digesting carbs
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Walnuts (optional) → omega-3 fats
This loaf aligns with Mediterranean principles: natural sweetness, healthy fats, and whole ingredients.
🍽 Serving Ideas
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Spread with almond butter
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Top with Greek yogurt and drizzle of honey
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Serve with mint tea
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Lightly toast and sprinkle cinnamon
🔥 Make It Healthier
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Replace half flour with oat flour
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Reduce honey or skip entirely
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Add grated zucchini for extra moisture
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Use flax eggs for dairy-free option
❓ Q & A
1️⃣ Can I make it gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
2️⃣ Can I freeze it?
Absolutely. Slice and freeze for up to 2 months.
3️⃣ Is it very sweet?
No — it’s mildly sweet from dates. Add honey if you prefer sweeter.
4️⃣ Can I make muffins instead?
Yes! Bake in muffin tin at 350°F for 18–22 minutes.
5️⃣ Why is my loaf dense?
Overmixing or too much flour can make it heavy. Measure carefully.
6️⃣ Can I skip yogurt?
You can replace with milk or unsweetened applesauce.
