Yum Peaceful Cooking: Whole Wheat Carrot Bread with Cream Cheese Filling

Monday, April 5, 2010

Whole Wheat Carrot Bread with Cream Cheese Filling



Raise your hand
if you like carrot cake....

Raise your hand
if you like cream cheese frosting...

Raise your hand
if you wish there was an alternative that was a bit healthier 
meaning a little less.....guilt causing. 
And not quite as sweet....

If you raised your hand for any or all of those...then you're in the right place.

This lovely Healthy Bread in Five Minutes A Day carrot bread is full of not only carrots, but coconut and a mix of tropical dried fruits (pineapple, ginger, mango, apricots) and chopped hazelnuts.

With all those goodies, I couldn't just make a plain ole loaf of bread. Well, I could've. And I might still. I'm thinking sliced up and made into french bread.....ya, that would be awesome. But for Easter Sunday I wanted something a little special. And I couldn't get away from the cream cheese. My mind was stuck on cream cheese.

After some deep thought and a bit of research I knew what needed to be done. I found a great demonstration on how to braid my filling into the dough here:


Then I found a nice little simple recipe for cream cheese filling over at Recipezaar.

Once I had my plan....there was no stopping me

The dough was mixed


You can find the recipe in the Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day cookbook. You know I'd love to share it with you but it can't happen. If you come over to visit, I'll let you thumb through my copy though :)

Then I mixed the cream cheese filling (very slightly altered...not even enough to really mention)

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon sour cream (not sure why.....I mean, it's ONLY a teaspoon! but I did it)

Cream together in a medium bowl.

Roll the dough into a rectangle. Smear the cream cheese in the middle of the dough....slice 1" strips...well....click on the link above (it will take you to the King Arthur web site) and follow the step-by-step instructions. I didn't take photos as I made mine cuz I was concentrating and didn't know if it would even come out.

I then brushed it with an egg wash and sprinkled lots of raw sugar on top.


Reminds me of a big long danish. 

Once it was completed, I let it rest for about an hour or so before popping it into the hot oven and baked for about 30 minutes.




Then you will need to tie your hands behind your back so you don't gobble it up before your holiday guests arrive.

Torture. That's what it was....pure and simple torture. Cuz look what happens when you slice into it


All that cream cheese starts calling your name....and the sugar coated crust begins to whistle....and then the carrot and coconut shreds get involved and next thing you know you have this food inspired orchestra singing love songs to your taste buds...luring you in through all your senses....

And you find yourself in the middle of your kitchen....

dancing as you shove another slice into your mouth 

And this is how I spent my Easter morning as I waited for the rest of the house to wake up and begin our day.

Sigh...the torture was worth it. I'd do again in a heart beat.

Anywaaaaaaaaaaays

I found the cream cheese filling recipe ---->here<----

And if you'd like to see how the rest of the HBin5 crew enjoyed their carrot bread, you need to check out Big Black Dogs

18 comments:

  1. Your version of the carrot bread just sounds wonderful! I love what you did with it!!

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  2. This carrot bread sounds excellent! Couldn't make mine and am planning to do it sometime this week.
    Tying my hands behind my back sounds like a good way to keep from "tasting" what I cook! LOLvalari

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  3. Now I wish I had some of that dough left! Great idea to add the filling. I really thought this dough needed sweetening up, and you found an awesome way to do it!

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  4. That looks like a slice of heaven! I just love what you did with the filling!

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  5. What a creative way to handle the carrot bread. It looks lovely, I'd dance to if I had this in my kitchen.

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  6. Oh man, I want some wicked bad! I love cream cheese filled coffee cake but don't get to make it much since my girlfriend isn't a fan.

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  7. I just made a Caribbean carrot cake and have it set to be posted tomorrow... You are right... very sweet, filled with guilt (but very goood). Love this idea!

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  8. i'm LOVING this, danielle! i thought i knew of every carrot cake creation out there--cheesecake, muffins, cookies, etc. but no, this is brand new to me and SO appealing. thanks!

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  9. I'm raising my hand! I love it:D

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  10. What a great idea!!! Love it! Thanks so much for sharing this one. :)

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  11. Just gorgeous and I'm so glad you tried the Carrot Bread. But I want to see you dancing around your kitchen eating Carrot Cream Cheese Pastry!

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  12. I raised my hand for all three questions. May I please have a piece now, please...

    Simply heavenly, Danielle...thanks for sharing...

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  13. What a great looking loaf. I love the idea of braiding it like that. And a secret..I dance around my kitchen when no one is looking!

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  14. What creativity! Your bread looks lovely, and your post was very fun to read.

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  15. This looks fantastic. I have the book but I haven't gotten around to making any bread from it yet. You've inspired me.
    Sam

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  16. How totally scrumptious with that cream cheese filling! I bet everyone loved it!

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  17. This looks so delicious. My stomach started growling! I loved this bread, especially after I doubled the amount of sugar used. Fill it with cream cheese filling and I can't imagine. I think I will be making this sometime this weekend.

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