Go Back
–+ servings
A loaf of pistachio carrot bread with cream cheese frosting on a plate, on a table.

Pistachio Carrot Bread with Cream Cheese Frosting (video)

40 minutes prep + 45 minutes cook
10 slices
Easy and delicious pistachio carrot bread with cream cheese frosting! Enjoy a slice or two with your morning coffee!

Ingredients 
US Customary - Metric

For Pistachio Carrot Bread:

  • 2 large eggs, at room temp
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt, or sour cream
  • 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 cups grated carrots, about 2 large carrots
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, diced

For Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temp
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temp
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • orange food coloring
  • 2 tbsp finely diced pistachios, for garnish

Instructions

How to Make Carrot Bread:

  • Preheat the oven to 350F. Prepare an 8 or 9-inch bread loaf pan for the recipe – line it with parchment paper or spray the inside with a non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
  • Into a large mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, eggs, sugar, and vanilla extract. Using a whisk or mixer, beat the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Pour in the melted butter next and mix again for a minute.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, and ground cinnamon. Stir them together, then sift the dry ingredients into the wet batter.
  • Mix the dry ingredients into the wet batter for a minute or two, just until well combined.
  • Add the diced pistachios and grated carrots last and fold in gently with a spatula until evenly distributed.

Baking Instructions:

  • Using a spatula or spoon, transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
  • Bake at 350F for 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bread should be a deep, golden-brown color on the outside.
  • Remove the bread from the oven and rest for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • For the frosting: place the softened butter into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Using a mixer, beat the butter for a few minutes until it’s creamy and fluffy.
  • Next, add in the softened cream cheese and mix together with the butter for a few minutes, until creamy and clump-free.
  • Next, add the heavy cream, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Start mixing on a slow speed until the sugar is incorporated, then mix on medium-high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, until the frosting is thick and creamy.
  • Transfer the frosting into a piping bag with a medium-sized round tip attached; I used Ateco tip #806.
  • Pipe the plain cream cheese frosting over the top of the bread, creating a thick, uniform layer. Garnish with diced pistachios.

Making Frosting Carrots:

  • For the frosting carrots: transfer about ½ cup of frosting into a separate bowl and stir in a few drops of food coloring. Transfer the frosting into a piping bag with a small star tip attached; I used Wilton tip #21.
  • Smooth the plain frosting already on the bread with an offset spatula, then pipe little carrots on top of the bread. Add a sprinkle of finely diced pistachios on top of the carrots for the ‘green tops’.

Serving & Storing Suggestions:

  • This pistachio carrot bread can be enjoyed right away! I recommend enjoying the bread at room temperature for the best texture and flavor. Use a sharp, serrated knife to slice the bread loaf.
  • If you have any leftovers, place them into an airtight container or wrap the bread with plastic wrap and place them into the refrigerator. Keep the bread chilled until ready to enjoy, then warm up at room temperature.
  • Note: 1 slice of bread without frosting (1/10th of loaf) has approximately 200 calories.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice with frosting | Calories: 477kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 4116IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg