She Strengthens

Virtuous Breakfast Delight: Carrot Cake Pancakes

Get ready to indulge in a guilt-free breakfast treat that’s both decadent and nutritious! These carrot cake pancakes are packed with wholesome ingredients, making them a perfect way to start your day.

The Magic Ingredients

To make these mouthwatering pancakes, you’ll need:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup grated carrot (1/2 fine, 1/2 coarse)
• 1 cup grated honeycrisp apple
• Walnut topping and frosting-syrup (recipes below)

Walnut Topping: A Crunchy Delight

Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of walnuts with 1 tablespoon of melted butter until they’re evenly coated. Add 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of ginger, and a pinch of salt. Mix until just combined. Spread the mixture on a sheet pan and bake for 7-10 minutes, or until the walnuts are toasted to perfection. Let them cool, then roughly chop and set aside.

Frosting-Syrup: A Creamy Treat

In a food processor, blend 4 ounces of cream cheese with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of buttermilk and 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon, and continue blending until creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Pancake Perfection

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices). In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Add the buttermilk and whisk again until combined. Add the grated carrot and apple to the flour mixture, then pour in the wet ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined – don’t overmix!

Cooking the Pancakes

Grease a heated griddle with butter and scoop the pancake batter in 1/4-cup measurements. Spread into a circle and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the edges set and bubbles appear. Flip carefully and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Serve hot with a dollop of frosting-syrup and a sprinkle of candied walnuts.

Treat Yourself Right

These carrot cake pancakes are a game-changer for breakfast lovers. With their moist texture, sweet flavor, and nutritious ingredients, you can indulge guilt-free. So go ahead, treat yourself to a stack (or two!) and start your day off right!