
Forgive me. I realize I’m a complete maniac about pancakes. Not only did I post about pancakes just a few days back, but those pancakes were nearly two weeks in the making.
How about a pancake heavy on the cake? These carrot cake pancakes are like living in the best of both worlds. You’ve got all your warm pancake goodness embellished with carrot cake spices, loads of carrots and. AND! cinnamon cream cheese spread. In some ways, and let’s try to keep this a secret, these carrot cake pancakes are just an excuse to spread sweet cinnamon cream cheese spread all over my breakfast.
Joy, of Joy the Baker is learning all about Italian wines and cheeses. I got home from a morning wine tasting and decided that I needed something that would sit in my tummy and stick to my ribs. See, at this particular morning wine tasting I discovered why there are spit buckets. If you don’t spit out the glorious wines you’re tasting, you might find yourself tipsy, trying to pronounce Italian wine names to your Italian boss before 10 in the morning. Not so hot.
Not a winner, but these pancakes are.


If I’ve turned you into a pancake junkie then you know that there are all kinds of pancake types. There are the thinner battered pancakes, there are the tall and fluffy pancakes, not to mention puff pancakes.
These carrot cake pancakes fall under the tall and fluffy category. The spice in the pancakes is great! I might add a few tablespoons of crushed pineapple for an added kick. The carrots are grated, but when cooked, the carrots remain rather raw and crunchy. They have a bite to them that at first, I wasn’t sure I liked. It’s just that the pancakes spend so little time in the pan, there’s no ways the carrots can soften. Enjoy the crunch, think of all the vitamin A and fiber you’re getting!

Carrot Cake Pancakes
adapted from the food network
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped pecans
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- Dash nutmeg
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup packed brown or granulated sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups finely grated carrots
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 dash ground cinnamon

In a bowl, combine flour, pecans, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, ginger, and nutmeg.
In a separate bowl, combine egg, brown sugar, milk, carrots, and vanilla; mix well.
Stir carrot mixture into dry ingredients until moistened. Pour batter by 1/4 cupful onto a greased hot griddle. Turn when bubbles form on the top of pancake; flip and cook until golden brown.
For topping, blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Sprinkle with cinnamon, and serve with pancakes.














September 30th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Oh
Joy!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
There is no such thing as too many pancakes, as far as I’m concerned! These look to die for, especially all that creamy spread squiging out in between the pancakes!
September 30th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
Wow, these look absolutely delicious, sinful and something that I would like right now. Love the combination of classic carrot cake flavors!
September 30th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I’ve been looking for a new pancake to make. These look great. I may have to make them on Sunday for breakfast…Thanks
September 30th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I’m with Mari. No such thing as too many pancakes!!! Bring ‘em on!
September 30th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Wow those look great!!! I love carrot cake so I bet these would be awesome
September 30th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I hate you for introducing me to this recipe! Now I have to try it.
September 30th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
I was just telling my husband that I feel like making something that I have never made before and here they were! His favorite cake is carrot cake so he should love these!!
How much powdered sugar goes in the spread? It just says 1/4.
Thanks for the recipe!!!!
September 30th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Joy, Its like you are reading my mind. We are on a pancake-loving brainwave. I will make you a deal… I’m going to bribe you in to being my roommate. If you promise to make me these pancakes, I will cover utilities, rent, AND I’ll do the dishes. What a deal, right?!
September 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
They look great. We love carrot cake at the restaurant. It’s one of our top sellers. I will have to pass them on to the baker, she will love them!
Are you going to be selling wine in your next gig? You are keeping us all in suspense.
October 1st, 2008 at 1:16 am
I already love them !!!!!! a great idea, really
thank you for sharing !
October 1st, 2008 at 4:47 am
Wow. So I’ve died and gone to heaven huh? Being that I LOVE pancakes with a passion and carrot cake is my favorite. Hmm…. why don’t I have a halo yet?
October 1st, 2008 at 9:07 am
Carrot Cake is my absolute favorite and Pancakes are my favorite breakfast food. I Have to make these. They are fantastic looking!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:26 am
This is seriously brilliant! I would love to have these in the morning!
October 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am
Even the idea of these blows my mind. I can not wait to get home, try these, and fall in love. They look amazing!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:10 am
I’m not a carrot cake person, but those definitely look interesting.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:09 am
I love carrot cake and pancakes. Glad you combined the two!
October 1st, 2008 at 1:06 pm
just thought I would let you know I saw this link today with your pics and recipe but no kudos to you: http://lovemyphilly.com/
I would assume you deserve a little credit here!
October 1st, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I’m not a huge pancake person but I adore carrot cake with an undying passion. I may have to try these, maybe for dessert!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I’m so glad you all are just as nutty about pancakes as I am! Pancakes combined with carrot cake might just be the best thing ever, right!?
Thanks for all your comments! I hope you try them this weekend!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:37 pm
carrie- Great looking out! I actually put the recipes up on that site. I don’t like it very much, so I don’t write under my name or attribute anything to Joy the Baker. Thanks so much for looking out for me though! I appreciate it so much!
april- I’m glad that you found a bit of this recipe you like even if you aren’t crazy about pancakes!
October 1st, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I am such a freak over pancakes! I have been considering carrot cake pancakes for awhile now and after seeing yours…I will be making these soon!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Carrot cake pancakes- what a brilliant idea! This looks so incredibly delicious.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 am
[...] I saw these Carrot Cake Pancakes, I immediately wanted to make them. I’ll have to wait for the [...]
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 am
I think I would have to have my carrots cooked - maybe saute them in a pan for awhile first? Nah, sounds like too much work. Hey, since it’s fall now, how about a pumpkin pancake recipe? Combined with that cream cheese spread, it would be amazing. I’ll be waiting and watching…
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Please take this as kindly as intended… SHUT. UP. You’re a culinary Genius in my book, Carrot Cake Pancakes. Now that’s a Eureka Moment! :o) Blessings, Whitney
October 4th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Those look really tasty, Im going to try this.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
OH. MY. GOSH. I think I may have just died and gone to heaven! It is such a no-brainer that I am going to make these! I love carrot cake, I love pancakes, how could this not be my heart’s desire?!
October 5th, 2008 at 4:51 am
I have a fridge full of carrots that I swear are reproducing - I think these are the answer. How many does this recipe make?
October 5th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Morning wine tasting? My sister would love you. I prefer ice cream in the morning. I love carrot cake, cream cheese, so yeah, I would like these a lot I am sure. At the supermarket I work at, our bakery is making “better” cakes. The training video said that they use real carrots, what in the hell were they using before? I love your creativity.
October 6th, 2008 at 4:10 am
This looks de.li.cious
October 6th, 2008 at 6:08 am
These look fabulous! I’m so going to have make these tonight.
October 6th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Oh, dear Lord. carrot cake is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.
A tear just came to my eye. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:36 am
wowzers. carrot pancakes sound brilliant! oh crap, just saw someone else used the same superlative adjective. anyhoo, these look completely delish and i can’t wait to try making them!
October 7th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
What a great idea! Carrot cake pancakes with a cream cheese spread.
October 10th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
These delicious! Is there a way to turn pancakes into waffles? Waffles require much less work and cook faster. (And they have all those little caps where maple syrup can be lost in)
Thank You!
October 11th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I made these this morning for myself and my 3 little ones. Huuuge hit! To soften the carrots I just shredded them super fine and soaked them in the milk for half an hour before mixing up the rest of the ingredients. Perfection. I will make these again and again (and again). Thanks!
October 17th, 2008 at 10:22 am
A restaurant near us serves these and I had to try them. They were very good; I can’t wait to try these. Thanks for the recipe. Now I can make them at home in my jammies instead of getting dressed and going out.
October 18th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Oh yummm, I have never had these before but they sound amazing. The cream cheese spread is delicious.
October 21st, 2008 at 2:31 pm
I love Carrot Cake. I love Pancakes. This has got to be a winner!
October 23rd, 2008 at 3:47 am
Hi, I’ve used the picture of these delicious pancakes of my blog, I linked back to you of course. I hope you approve, if not: drop me a line!
October 26th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I found this blog just in the nick of time, not only did it save my cast iron pan,(different post)but these carrot cake pancakes look lifechanging.
Thanks!
Rochelle
October 28th, 2008 at 4:49 am
[...] Carrot cake pancakes @ Joy the Baker [...]
November 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 am
I made these this morning and they’re fantastic!! I’ll be making them again and again.
November 10th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
mmmmmmmmm……….That baker looks delicious! I mean the pancakes. =)
November 11th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Morning Wine Tasting!?!?!?!!! Hooray!!!
November 11th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
I have to try these, I don’t see an option not to, this looks like heaven on a plate
November 14th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Oh. My. God.
Divine.
I will veganize these and make them for my husband when he returns home in 2 weeks after 38 days! Cannot wait.
November 16th, 2008 at 9:36 am
What a wonderful recipe. One thought, when I make fresh veggie dumplings the shredded carrots get a 5-10 second plunge in boiling salted water then ice water. It gives the perfect texture as they are also quick cooking. Going to go try this now, THANKS!
November 23rd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
I made these for breakfast this morning, oh my! They were amazing. We saved the leftover cream cheese spread to use as a fruit dip, but I could’ve just finished it off with a spoon.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Is it possible that the batter might keep in the fridge for a couple days? I’ve had this recipe bookmarked since you posted it and I have hankering to make these next week, but living by myself, I’ll only eat a couple every morning.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
this looks so yummy, i like carrot cake as well & i know i would definitely enjoy this too! thanks for this!
December 26th, 2008 at 8:18 am
[...] across the blog of joy the baker and man has she got a thing for pancakes, it was her pic of carrot cake pancakes that kept me diving throughout her blog and it’s safe to say that sometime soon I’m [...]
December 29th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
made these for dinner tonight, and they were fantastic!!! thanks for sharing
December 30th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
Hey! An excuse to eat my favorite cake for breakfast! Who knew? Thank you!
December 31st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Why, oh why, is my wife on Weight Watchers? All this wonderful food passing us by… OMG!
February 7th, 2009 at 10:53 am
If you don’t like the carrots crunchy, steam the shreds for a few minutes in the microwave before adding them to the mix.
March 19th, 2009 at 9:53 am
[...] Carrot Cake Pancakes. Say you will. [...]
March 19th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
so, i made these tonight and instead of grating the carrots, i microplaned them. i also microplaned the nuts (almonds instead of pecans) for the heck of it. it resulted in pancakes of basically normal texture with a yummy carrot cake taste. you should give that way a try =)
March 19th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
hmmm…i wonder, would these taste good with some simple maple syrup on top??
probablyyy…but what do you think, joy?
March 23rd, 2009 at 8:12 am
Hi Joy! I made these carrot cake pancakes this weekend and my boyfriend said “WOW! This is like an amusement park in my mouth!!” and “These are the best things ever!”
I wanted to add a note to the recipe: I grated my carrots on the smaller hole of the grater, and they came out finer and softer. They were not crunchy in the pancake at all.
I recommend that if you are not into the crunch factor. Thanks for a beautiful site!
March 24th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
i wasn’t sure if i liked the crunch either when i made cc pancakes the first time. so now steam the carrots for a few minutes to soften them up a bit. adds an extra step… but still tastes great and no more crunch!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
[...] Carrot Cake Pancakes [...]
March 24th, 2009 at 7:09 pm
[...] Carrot Cake Pancakes [...]
March 26th, 2009 at 12:13 am
[...] su entrada sobre las bolsas reutilizables, y estoy deseando tener un día libre para probar las tortitas de zanahoria. [En [...]
March 27th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
These are the best pancakes ever. I did the steam thing to soften the carrots and they came out awesome (as do ALL Joy’s recipes!!!) but had a bit much left over. (I live alone, didn’t want to wait until the b/f came over, and kitty Boo doesn’t care for carrots) Well….I wrapped each one, separated with plastic wrap and froze them. This morning I was hankering for them, took them out of the freezer and was deciding how to gently reheat when I got a brainstorm…the toaster!!!! A few minutes later I was once again sighing with delight at your genius. You totally ROCK Joy!!!!!
March 28th, 2009 at 9:05 am
these pancakes were so stinkin’ good! i made them this morning for my brood of 5 girls and my hubby. everyone loved them! i need to double the recipe next time. i shredded the carrots extra fine and there was no crunch, just YUM.
thanks for the perfect recipe for a rainy saturday. <3
March 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
No need to steam the carrots or endure the crunch - simply shred them on the smaller size of a box grater! That is, shred on the size you would use to shred parmesean cheese, NOT mozzerella. This way, the carrots come out nice and soft and tender like real carrot cake!
I *love* this recipe, Joy, thanks for sharing it!!!!
April 4th, 2009 at 8:04 am
[...] out her recipe, because if you don’t like my ingredients, her [...]
April 17th, 2009 at 9:02 am
[...] know what crazy deliciousness happens when fluffy pancakes meets carrot cake. What could go wrong when fluffy pancakes meet oatmeal raisin cookies? Nothing, just sheer [...]
June 24th, 2009 at 8:50 am
This is first time I have seen it. I must try it out next time I do some cooking.
June 24th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Could I use whole wheat flour in these pancakes? My hubby LOVES carrot cake, and he is gonna freak when I make these. You are awesome btw!