The trifecta: carrot cake, banana bread and lemon loaf. Photo, Erik Putz.
Loaf cake recipes come together quickly, which means you don't need to work too hard to make (and eat) a tasty dessert. Sure, they don't have the sexiest name, but loaf cakes are a sure-fire crowd-pleaser, especially when they've got banana in them, or are topped with a sugary glaze or rich cream cheese icing.
Here are our 16 best loaf cake recipes!
Crunchy pecans and tangy rhubarb make this moist banana-bread alternative an addictively good loaf. Get this rhubarb-buttermilk tea cake recipe.
Bright lemon shines in this classic cake that would perfect for afternoon tea. Get this glazed lemon loaf recipe.
It’s a classic for a reason! Be sure to use ripe bananas for this one. Get this banana bread recipe.
Milky, fragrant and extra-warming with its infinitely customizable blend of spices, masala chai hits all the high notes of comfort food. Try this loaf that concentrates the spicy-sweet flavours in a dense, moist and totally dippable tea cake. Get this glazed chai loaf tea cake recipe.
A certain coffee shop is famous for its version of this classic loaf, but why not make it yourself? Get this lemon-poppyseed loaf recipe.
This stunner of a loaf cake is perfect for when you just can’t decide between chocolate and vanilla. Get this chocolate marble loaf cake recipe.
Start baking up this loaf cake at the first sign of fall. Get this classic pumpkin loaf recipe.
Yes, vegetables totally belong in cake! Get this zucchini loaf recipe.
Sweet potato packs a hearty punch in this citrus-scented cake. Get this orange-drizzled sweet potato cake recipe.
Instead of pumpkin, try squash in this pound cake that’s perfect for fall. Get this squash pound cake recipe.
Pies, step aside! This moist, rich sweet bread comes together in a loaf pan in just 10 minutes. Drizzled with pumpkin-ale glaze and crunchy pepitas, it’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Get this pumpkin-ale sweet bread recipe.
Carrot cake and rich cream cheese icing pair perfectly on this loaf. Get this carrot cake loaf with cream cheese icing recipe.
For a vegan take on a classic, try this perfectly spiced and easy to make loaf. Get this vegan carrot cake loaf recipe.
Nuts, chocolate and bananas go together like peanut butter and jelly. Get this chocolate walnut-banana bread recipe.
Neon? Bring it on! This unconventional cake is filled with nutrient-packed avocados and comes topped with a vibrant raspberry glaze. Get this avocado pound cake recipe.
Who says loaf cakes can't be made plant-based? Our plant-based banana bread has all of the flavour and texture, but none of the dairy and egg products. Get the plant-based banana bread recipe.
This story was originally published in 2021; updated in 2023.
Subscribe to our newsletters for our very best stories, recipes, style and shopping tips, horoscopes and special offers.