Enjoying a delicious spring breakfast with these Carrot Cake Pancakes will have everyone wanting more. These moist and fluffy pancakes are a perfect breakfast or brunch when celebrating Easter or Spring!
These rank right up there with carrot cake cupcakes and carrot cake dip as far as flavor and ease.
Carrot Cake Lovers
Carrot cake is a welcomed treat for those spring holidays that everyone loves. So why not enjoy a fun carrot pancakes breakfast recipe? This recipe is so easy to make with a from scratch pancake recipe and grated carrots. You’ll add a little bit of sweetness and some wonderful spices to finish off the batter before cooking up these easy pancakes.
Personally, it’s sort of tradition to make large round pancakes and stack them tall. But why not make shapes like a bunny or tulip. The kids will love them!
If you are a fan of breakfast for dinner, you will love this Carrot Cake Pancake recipe. There is a subtle hint of sweet with these delicious pancakes which makes them ideal. Serve with home fries or even fresh fruit salad for a perfect meal.
Why You’ll Love These Homemade Pancakes
A stack of fluffy pancakes that taste just like your favorite spring dessert- what’s not to love!
- Great for Easter brunch – When I think of spring, I think of carrot cake, and these pancakes are perfect for any spring celebration- especially Easter!
- Pantry ingredients – Besides maybe the carrots, I’d be willing to bet you have most, if not all of the ingredients needed to make these pancakes.
- Easy to make – These pancakes are just as easy to make as traditional pancakes with one extra step- making the cream cheese frosting!
This recipe is so quick and easy and I can make 8-10 larger pancakes. They are so fluffy and a delicious alternative to making a carrot cake for dessert.
Ingredients
These ingredients are all easily found at your local grocery store, if you don’t already have them on hand!
- Flour – Take your carrot cake pancakes a step further and opt for cake flour instead of all-purpose. It has a lower protein and gluten content so the result is even more feathery and light.
- Brown Sugar – To encompass that carrot cake flavor, we’re using brown sugar instead of just regular granulated sugar. It not only provides sweetness and flavor, but moisture too.
- Baking Soda – This helps to create create pockets of fluffy goodness in your carrot cake pancakes. It’s used as a leavener. Don’t confuse this with baking powder.
- Cinnamon – A dash of cinnamon really sends these carrot cake pancakes over the top! Nutmeg is also a fan favorite if you’d prefer.
- Coarse Kosher Salt – We just need a bit of salt to help balance out all of the flavors. I always prefer using coarse Kosher salt.
- Milk – I prefer to use whole milk or low-fat milk if that’s all I have in the refrigerator. However, almond milk or coconut milk can be used here as well.
- Eggs – They add structure, richness and leaven as well. Try to beat your eggs well before adding so you don’t overmix the batter. Always assume a recipe calls for a large egg.
- Unsalted Butter – Use a good quality butter for a recipe like this. Lower qualities have large amounts of water and less of the good stuff.
- Vegetable Oil– Or another neutral oil.
- Vanilla Extract – I always like adding a splash of vanilla to my pancakes. It rounds out the flavors quite nicely. Other extracts are an option- almond is tasty!
- Carrots – They wouldn’t be carrot cake pancakes without carrots, right?? You will want these to be grated pretty fine so as to not have huge chunks of carrots in your pancakes.
Variations and Topping Ideas
Carrot cake pancakes can be topped with whipped butter, cream cheese, maple syrup, or even a cream cheese syrup if desired. I also prefer adding chopped walnuts or pecans. The crunch is excellent. Here are some other ideas:
- Raisins – Carrot cake pancakes are also delicious with raisins. So why not add raisins to the batter or sprinkle on top. It’s a fun addition for those who love raisins.
- Toppings – Adding a tablespoon of softened cream cheese to the top and a drizzle of maple syrup is a wonderful combination and every bite is fantastic.
- Blond syrup is also an amazing alternative too.
- Flour – Switch up the flour by using whole wheat flour or even gluten-free flour. Keep in mind you will need a binding agent if using gluten free.
Pancakes are always a favorite recipe so make sure to check out my other fantastic pancake recipes. We truly love the simplicity of Sheet Pan Pancakes. If you are a Red Velvet fan, then these Red Velvet Pancakes are a must make. Oh they are delicious!
You also can’t go wrong with our traditional Pancake Mix Recipe. So take a look and let me know which recipe’s your favorite. I always love to hear from you and how much you enjoyed my recipes.
Flip Those Hot Cakes!
Heat your skillet up to medium heat and get to flipping this recipe for carrot cake pancakes!
- Gather ingredients and equipment. A couple of larger size mixing bowls and a whisk or large spoon are handy to have. And feel free to use matchstick carrots. It will save you from peeling and grating carrots. If you have a kitchen scale it’s always best to weigh all purpose flour for better consistency to the pancakes.
- Combine dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients together making sure to break up larger clumps of brown sugar if needed.
- Peel and grate carrots. I also prefer to rough chop the carrots into smaller bits. This helps to evenly distribute the carrots throughout the pancakes. It’s really good! Toss carrots into dry ingredients and create a well in the center.
- Mix wet ingredients. Melt butter in a separate bowl and combine remaining wet ingredients. Use a whisk to combine and mix everything together. Then pour milk mixture into dry ingredients.
- Make batter. Mix batter together just until combined. Do not over mix batter as it tends to make pancakes more dense.
- Cook. Drop scoops of pancake batter on a hot greased skillet and cook over medium/high heat until golden brown and then flip over and cook other side.
What to Serve with Carrot Cake Pancakes
You can serve these pancakes with just about any of your other breakfast favorites. Bacon and eggs are always a great place to start.
You can also serve with a bowl of greek yogurt and granola. I also like to serve pancakes with some sort of breakfast casserole if I’m feeding a crowd. The options are endless!
Freezing and Storage
How to Store Leftover Pancakes
Store leftover pancakes in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag for up to 3 days. They can be reheated on a griddle or skillet at low to medium-low heat or in a toaster.
Pancakes can be frozen. Make sure to allow pancakes to fully cool and place parchment paper between each pancake to prevent sticking.
Can I Freeze Carrot Cake Pancakes?
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, they’re easy to reheat. You can do this in the toaster oven, toaster or the oven and just reheat until warm.
More Fluffy Pancake Recipes
There’s nothing I love more than a stack of fluffy pancakes for breakfast. Here are a list of some of our favorites.
Oatmeal Pancake Recipe
Funfetti Pancakes
Banana Pancake Recipe
Carrot Cake Pancake Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Pancake Batter:
- 2 cups flour
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- 1 cup carrots , grated and minced
- 1 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 eggs
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 tablespoons walnuts or pecans , chopped
Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 ounce cream cheese , softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Pancakes:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the grated carrots to dry ingredients and toss together.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the butter eggs, milk, vanilla extract and vegetable oil.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir the batter until combined. Do not over mix.
- Heat a greased skillet over medium-high heat and pour about 1/3 – 1/2 cup batter on hot skillet and allow to cook until golden brown. If using an electric skillet, heat to 325°F.
- Flip the pancake over when little bubbles form and cook on the other side until done. Repeat until all remaining batter has been cooked.
- Top with chopped nuts, butter or the cream cheese cheese drizzle.
Cream Cheese Glaze:
- Mix together cream cheese and powdered sugar. Whisk with milk and vanilla extract until smooth.
Notes
Nutrition
I’m trying these carrot cake pancakes this weekend! They look delicious! I’m ready for spring and all the delicious recipes that come with it!
The pancakes were fluffy and delish but the cream cheese glaze took them over the top! Perfect brunch and everyone loved them!
These pancakes look absolutely delicious, I never would’ve thought to make carrot cake into a breakfast!
Just when you think pancakes can’t get better they do! Carrot cake pancakes are now my go-to flavour combination. Do you think they would serve well with icecream?
Oh how fun! These pancakes are so perfect for a springtime brunch. I absolutely love all those flavors.