Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (2024)

byChristine |Comfort Food| 04.14.22

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These Carrot Cake Pancakes are sweet, fluffy, and delicious! Made with a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour, freshly grated carrots, vanilla, ground cinnamon, a little bit of nutmeg, and brown sugar, these flavorful pancakes are absolutely the BEST. Easily make them vegan and/or make them ahead of time. Perfect for a healthy everyday breakfast recipe or a next-level weekend brunch!

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (1)

Easter is coming up this weekend and my mind is on one thing: spring-inspired and Easter brunch ideas! I love these Carrot Cake Pancakes for brunch with family and friends on the weekend, but I also love making them ahead of time for quick, easy, healthy breakfasts throughout the week.

These pancakes are sweet, fluffy, wholesome, and SO perfect for the entire family! My kids love them (I make a vegan version for my toddler with a dairy allergie), and they are incredibly easy to make. Not to mention, a great way to add in some more veggies! If you’ve been on the search for a spring-inspired healthy breakfast idea, you’ll love these yummy Carrot Cake Pancakes!

RELATED: Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients/Substitutions
  • How to Make Carrot Cake Pancakes
    • Grating The Carrots
    • How to Make Carrot Cake Pancakes Using Pancake Mix
    • Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes Variation
  • Topping Ideas
  • Refrigerating/Freezing
  • More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love
  • More Healthy Pancakes Recipes

Ingredients/Substitutions

Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (3)

Grated Carrots – The grated carrots in this recipe are what makes these pancakes next-level! Thankfully, carrots are easy to grate with a box grater or food processor. You’ll love the spring flavor they add to this recipe!

Flour – I used a mix of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. Feel free to use a mix like I did, or just one kind (totaling 1 cup).

For Gluten-Free: How to Substitute Almond Flour for All-Purpose Flour

Baking Powder/Soda/Salt – A mix of baking powder, baking soda, and salt give these pancakes their perfectly fluffy texture!

Cinnamon/Nutmeg – The cinnamon and nutmeg in this recipe bring out the carrot cake flavors. They’re so good!

Egg – The egg in this recipe can easily be replaced with a vegan egg substitute if desired.

Vanilla Extract – Adds depth and so much flavor!

Milk – I used regular milk, but feel free to use any type of milk that works best for you!

Brown Sugar – A little bit of brown sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness.

Butter or Coconut Oil – Melted butter, coconut oil, avocado oil, or any type of vegetable oil works great for cooking these pancakes! Start with 1 Tablespoon and add more as needed throughout the cooking process.

How to Make Carrot Cake Pancakes

Carrot Cake Pancakes are SO easy to make! Here’s how in 7 simple steps:

  • Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (4)
  • Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (5)
  • Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (6)
  • Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (7)
  1. Grate the carrots.
  2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the liquid ingredients.
  4. Add in the grated carrots, then combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients.
  5. Add about 1/4 cup of batter to a nonstick pan, skillet, or griddle with butter (or coconut oil) over medium heat.
  6. Cook pancakes for 2-3 minutes on each side.
  7. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (8)

Grating The Carrots

There are many ways to grate carrots for recipes like these pancakes! The easiest way is to use a box grater, sliding the carrot in a downward motion to grate it. The next easiest option is to use a food processor! Simply pulse the food processor a few seconds at a time, stirring the in-between pulses, until you end up with grated carrots. Be careful not to over-blend the carrots, as this could result in more of a puree texture and add too much moisture to pancakes!

You’ll Also Love: Healthy Carrot Cake Muffins

How to Make Carrot Cake Pancakes Using Pancake Mix

To make Carrot Cake Pancakes using pancake mix, simply make the pancakes according to the mix directions. Grate carrots with a box grater or food processor, then add to the pancake mix. Cook according to directions and enjoy!

Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes Variation

Want to make Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes? Simply swap out the egg for a flax egg recipe or vegan egg substitute and a dairy-free milk option, such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. That’s it!

More Ideas: 9 Easy Healthy Pancakes Recipes

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (9)

Topping Ideas

One of my favorite things about these pancakes are all of the toppings! There are so many options. Here are a few ideas for how to top Carrot Cake Pancakes:

Refrigerating/Freezing

Make a big batch of these pancakes and refrigerate or freeze for later! Here’s how to make Carrot Cake Pancakes ahead of time and store.

Refrigerator – Let the cooked pancakes fully cool, then place in an airtight container with a lid. Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days!

Freezer – Let the pancakes cool and store each serving in an airtight container with a lid in the fridge for about an hour. Move the containers to the freezer and keep frozen for up to 3 months! When ready to reheat, simply reheat the pancakes in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, flipping halfway though and checking often.

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (10)

More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

  • Blueberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
  • Strawberry Pineapple Smoothie
  • Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
  • Vanilla Cream Protein Overnight Oats
  • Baked Glazed Doughnuts
  • Blueberry Banana Protein Muffins

More Healthy Pancakes Recipes

  • 10-Minute Healthy Banana Pancakes
  • Healthy Sweet Potato Pancakes
  • The TASTIEST Greek Yogurt Pancakes
  • Vegan Buckwheat Pancakes

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (11)

Print Recipe

The BEST Carrot Cake Pancakes

These Carrot Cake Pancakes are sweet, fluffy, and delicious! Made with a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat flour, freshly grated carrots, vanilla, ground cinnamon, a little bit of nutmeg, and brown sugar, these flavorful pancakes are absolutely the BEST. Easily make them vegan and/or make them ahead of time. Perfect for a healthy everyday breakfast recipe or a next-level weekend brunch!

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Diet: Vegetarian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 9 Pancakes

Calories: 112 kcal

Author: Christine McMichael

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup grated carrots (about 1 large carrot)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup milk (of choice)
  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons coconut oil or butter (for cooking)

Instructions

  • Grate the carrot(s) using a box grater or a food processor, then set aside.

  • Mix the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large mixing bowl.

  • Whisk the egg, vanilla, milk, and brown sugar together in a separate bowl.

  • Stir in the grated carrots.

  • Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

  • Heat up 1 Tablespoon of the butter or oil in a non-stick cooking pan or skillet of medium heat.

  • Add about 1/4 cup of the pancake batter to the pan.

  • Cook the pancakes for 2-3 minutes on each side.

  • Repeat until all of the batter is gone.

  • Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Notes

  • Easily make these vegan by swapping out the egg for a flax egg recipe or vegan egg substitute and a dairy-free milk option, such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
  • To make Carrot Cake Pancakes using pancake mix, simply make the pancakes according to the mix directions. Grate carrots with a box grater or food processor, then add to the pancake mix. Cook according to directions and enjoy!
  • Make a big batch of these pancakes and refrigerate or freeze for later! Refrigerate for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 112 kcal | Carbohydrates: 17 g | Protein: 3 g | Fat: 4 g | Saturated Fat: 2 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 29 mg | Sodium: 219 mg | Potassium: 124 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Sugar: 6 g | Vitamin A: 1943 IU | Vitamin C: 1 mg | Calcium: 78 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @jar.of.lemons or tag #JarOfLemons!

Carrot Cake Pancakes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is butter not used in carrot cake? ›

Carrot cake is oil-based, rather than butter-based. This keeps it moist and helps it last for days. Unfortunately, it also means you lose the leavening power that creaming butter and sugar would bring. (Creaming, or beating together the two ingredients on high speed, aerates the butter.)

Why is my carrot cake not fluffy? ›

The key to a soft and fluffy carrot cake is to have the carrots bake into the crumb. If you coarsely grate the carrots, then they will not bake as quickly and will stay as threads through the cake which can get stuck in your teeth. For maximum flavor and the best texture, you'll need to grate them finely.

Why is carrot cake so good? ›

Carrots add sweetness and moisture to a batter. Carrot cakes have been around for centuries, but the modern carrot cake can be traced back to World War II when carrots were suggested as a way to add sweetness to cakes when sugar was being rationed, according to the World Carrot Museum of Skipton, England.

Why is carrot cake unhealthy? ›

Carrot cake

This dessert is usually loaded with oil, butter, cream cheese, and sugar in addition to carrots making it difficult to fit into a healthy diet. The average slice of carrot cake contains 800 calories, with 480 of these calories coming from fat.

Which is better for carrot cake, oil or butter? ›

Butter also gives them flavor. But for cakes like chocolate cake and carrot cake that have flavor from other ingredients, I find flavorless oil is the best choice.

Why do carrots turn black in carrot cake? ›

Carrots contain pigments that are sensitive to changes in pH balance. When the shreds of carrot come into contact with the alkaline baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place that causes the pigments to change color.

Why does carrot cake taste weird? ›

Using baking powder (a chemical leavening agent) often becomes tricky. How much is enough to leaven dense, oil-based cakes like carrot cake? Sometimes, we end up using too much baking powder to help this type of cake rise, and this mistake can unfortunately make them taste bitter or like chemicals.

How fine should carrots be grated for carrot cake? ›

It's true that carrots are the star of the show, but aim for finely grated pieces rather than chunky. The finer you grate the carrots, the more evenly they will be distributed throughout the cake (for the perfect texture), and the more evenly the cake and the carrots will bake.

Why does my carrot cake not taste like carrot cake? ›

First, check your rising agent. Most carrot cake recipes use baking soda. Make sure you actually used baking soda and not baking powder (this, by the way, can also really mess with the taste). Make sure you used the correct amounts.

Is carrot cake healthier than cake? ›

Carrot cake is made with whole wheat flour, which is a healthier choice of cake compared to white flour. Also, even though carrot cakes have a higher fat content, they can be a healthier choice as opposed to regular cakes.

Why does carrot cake have to be refrigerated? ›

Even when the cake is baked, bacteria can still grow, so everything still needs to be refrigerated to prevent spoilage and foodborne illness. Carrot cake and frosting are also easier to tame when they're cold, so unless it's time to serve up some slices, keep your cake in the fridge.

What is Queen Elizabeth's pancake recipe? ›

Beat two eggs with 4 tablespoons of sugar and about one teacup (or 3/4 of a cup) of milk. Add 4 teacups of flour and mix in another teacup of milk "as required" Mix in 3 teaspoons of cream of tartar and 2 tablespoons of bicarbonate soda (baking soda) Fold in 2 tablespoons of melted butter.

Why do you put coins in pancakes? ›

However, it's not as tasty as you think, as they add small objects (after they've been thoroughly cleaned of course) such as buttons, rings, and coins. Each object has a special meaning, for example, if you find a shiny coin in your pancake, you're deemed very lucky and will end up rich!

Why is butter not used in cake baking? ›

The water that's present in butter strengthens the gluten in a cake's flour, resulting in a crumb that's more dense and not quite as tender as a cake made with oil.

Why is butter not incorporating into cake batter? ›

This can happen for several reasons: If your eggs are just slightly too cold, they may cause the soft butter to seize up, breaking the emulsion. Or if you rush while beating in the eggs, the emulsion won't be stable enough to hold in place.

What happens if you use oil instead of butter in cake? ›

Replacing Butter with Oil

Depending on the type of oil, it can add complex flavor and welcome moisture to your baked goods. A good rule of thumb is to replace about 3/4 of the butter in a recipe with olive, canola, or vegetable oil. (If the recipe calls for 1 cup butter, use ¾ cup oil.)

Why does carrot cake have oil in it? ›

However some cakes, such as Nigella's Ginger And Walnut Carrot Cake use oil, or a combination of oil and butter. Butter is only 70-80% fat and the rest is water and butter solids. Using oil in cakes reduces the amount of water in the mixture and can mean a moister cake with a tender crumb.

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