With National Carrot Cake Day this Friday, we figured we’d switch things up a bit and share a recipe that puts a little extra zing to the popular desert choice. And since innkeepers are the pros when it comes to all things breakfast, we asked Avenue Hotel Bed and Breakfast in Manitou Springs, CO to share their recipe which takes the traditional carrot cake and merges it with one of our favorite morning dishes: waffles. Enjoy!
Carrot Cake Waffles courtesy of Avenue Hotel Bed and Breakfast in Manitou Springs, CO
Avenue Hotel Bed & Breakfast
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
2 eggs, separated
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 1/2 cup finely grated carrots
Maple Nut Cream Cheese Spread:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons maple syrup
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Directions:
Heat 4 tablespoons butter in skillet over medium heat until melted. Continue to cook, swirling pan constantly, until butter is brown and has a faint nutty aroma, 2-4 minutes. Add spices and continue to cook, stirring constantly, 15 seconds; remove from heat and allow to cool about 30 minutes. Sift together flour, salt, sugar baking soda. Mix together the buttermilk and the egg yolks. Stir in the spiced butter and vanilla. Spray the waffle iron well with non-stick cooking spray and preheat it. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry. Beat the egg white in a separate clean bowl with an electric mixer until they hold peaks. Stir them gently into the batter. Add pineapple, raisins, walnuts, and carrots. Stir gently to combine.
Spread batter onto the waffle iron and bake until the waffle is done, usually 4 to 5 minutes, depending on your iron. Spray iron with cooking spray between waffles as needed.
To make the cream cheese spread, simply combine nuts, syrup, cinnamon, and cream cheese and mix well. Serve waffles immediately with spread or keep waffles warm for a few minutes in the oven then spread with cream cheese between the waffles. Pour maple syrup over the top and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
Yields: 6-8 waffles.
