Carrot Cake Pancakes (Printable)
Fluffy spiced pancakes with grated carrots, walnuts, and warm spices for a cozy morning treat.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 tablespoons brown sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 1 cup milk
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Zest of 1 orange (optional)
→ Add-Ins
14 - 1 cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
15 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
16 - 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
→ For Serving
17 - Maple syrup, to taste
18 - Cream cheese glaze or yogurt (optional)
19 - Extra chopped walnuts
# Method:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, oil or melted butter, vanilla extract, and orange zest if using, until smooth and well combined.
03 - Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the pancakes light and tender.
04 - Gently fold in the grated carrots, chopped walnuts or pecans, and raisins if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
05 - Heat a nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat and lightly grease with oil or butter.
06 - Drop 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the hot skillet. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges appear set, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook another 1 to 2 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
07 - Continue cooking the remaining batter in batches, re-greasing the skillet as needed between rounds.
08 - Serve warm with maple syrup, cream cheese glaze or yogurt, and additional chopped walnuts as desired.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- They taste exactly like carrot cake but you get to eat them in your pajamas without a single ounce of guilt.
- The orange zest is a quiet little secret that makes people close their eyes and ask what that amazing flavor is.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter is the fastest way to end up with tough rubbery pancakes instead of cloud soft ones.
- Grating the carrots too coarsely leaves chewy shreds that refuse to cook through, so use the fine holes and grate firmly.
03 -
- Use the small holes on your box grater for the carrots because finer shreds vanish into the batter and keep the texture silky.
- A splash more milk thins the batter perfectly if it sits too long and thickens up on you.