Well, I didn’t end up making the Itty Bitty Carrot Cake Cookies, but I did end up making an off-spring!

Meet the carrot cake cookie in breakfast form. I cut down the oil (using applesauce to replace some of it) and amped up the protein, fibre, and healthy fats naturally using ground flax.
In my first version, I used protein powder instead of flax, but the texture was weird and the flavour was off. Ground flax all the way!
I also left them chunky instead of flattening them down. Much better.
The cookies are lightly sweet, with a lovely carrot cake flavour and the texture of a muffin top. I added in a full cup of grated carrots and a tablespoon of freshly grated ginger for a boost of nutrition and an authentic carrot cake flavour. Ginger also aids in digestion as an added bonus.
Eric summed them up nicely, “If I was looking for a healthy cookie, I would be happy with these. If I wanted a regular unhealthy dessert cookie, I might be a bit disappointed. But they are perfect for breakfast or a snack and I like that they taste like a muffin.”
I’m not sure I can add anything to that, so I’ll just give you the recipe! Nutritional info follows.
If you’re feeling like cake instead don’t forget to check out my Whole-grain Vegan Carrot Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Oh Mega Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies
Yield
13 cookies
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
Like a healthy breakfast muffin in carrot cake cookie form. Coconut oil, maple syrup, and fresh ginger work well to create a nice carrot cake flavour, however if you are without those ingredients you can try subbing in another light tasting oil of your choice, other liquid sweetener, and ground ginger (maybe 1/4 tsp?).
Adapted from Itty Bitty Carrot Cake Cookies, which was adapted from 101 Cookbooks.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 3/4 cup ground flax
- 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/2 cup regular rolled oats
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1 cup lightly packed shredded carrots (use finest grate)
- 3 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (other liquid sweeteners should work)
- 1/4 cup applesauce
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325F and toast the pecans for 10-11 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the batter. In a large bowl, mix together the flax, flour, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and raisins.
- Grate the carrots and ginger using the finest grate. In a smaller bowl, melt the coconut oil in the microwave for about 45-60 seconds. You want the oil hot so it doesn’t clump up when adding the cold wet ingredients. Now add in the maple syrup, carrots, applesauce, grated ginger, and vanilla. Stir well.
- Remove pecans from the oven and add to the dry ingredients. Increase oven temp to 350F. Now add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. The dough will be very sticky, so not to worry.
- With a spoon, scoop about 13 cookies onto a lined baking sheet. They don’t spread much so you can put them an inch apart. Bake for 14-15 minutes at 350F and allow to cool on baking sheet.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Just a word of caution- the dough is very sticky so don’t be alarmed when you mix it up. It’s easiest to just scoop the dough with a spoon and drop it onto the baking sheet.
They are a lovely cookie for an on-the-go breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack. And like Eric says, keep in mind that it’s a healthier cookie and you won’t be disappointed.
Breakfast this morning was a lovely Green Monster with a side of cookie.
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Superfood Green Monster
Yield
1 serving
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
This Green Monster packs in superfoods like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, chia seeds, and spinach! For more Green Monster recipes, visit the Green Monster Movement.
Ingredients
- 1 large handful spinach
- 1 cup + 2-3 tbsp unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/4 cup frozen mixed berries
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 scoop Garden of Life Raw Protein powder, or other powder
- Ice, if preferred
Directions
- Add all ingredients to blender and blend until smooth. Add ice if desired.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Note the hot tea in the background to warm me up!
[Mason glass was picked up in November while visiting Fish’s Eddy in NYC]
Have a great day!








These cookies look awesome! And it’s also fun to see what you have a breakfast or dinner, etc. on a random day :) Always gives me meal ideas!
Good thing I bought a 2 pound bag of carrots this week. I’m off to make these right now!
These sound so yummy! Love this idea!
Oh I should try apple…I dont use it enough in smoothies!
The cookies sound like a fantastic recipe to keep in the freezer and grab for breakfasts. You could add even more omegas by using walnuts instead of pecans!
Are Kcals the same as calories?
yup!
Hey, I have the same mixing bowl. Fun! Also, I’ve been looking for a good breakfast cookie recipe, so thanks! xoxo
These look lovely and I am such a fan of carrot cake, raisins, cinnamon…all those flavors make me happy. They look perfect for a cool day to put something warm in my tummy. I make oatmeal and blueberry or oatmeal and raisin cakes like this in…the microwave :) Because I am impatient like that. Haha!
A delicious looking recipe and a great tip on a social media widget. I’m going to use both!
Thanks Angela!
carrot cake is so under-appreciated! I feel like I should make a cheering section for it!
These look so very delicious! I love using carrots in baked goods!!
What sort of protien supplement would you recommend for smoothies? I bought a cheap generic vanilla one from Walmart but I know there have got to be healthier/better options than Walmart’s idea of ‘healthy’ lol
to be more specific- something under $40, and a powder with a taste that isnt overwhelming
I’ve really taken a liking to this garden of life one pictured above- you can find it online at amazon or iherb for around $30.
ps- I did a review here: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/25/protein-powder-reviews/
Cookies for breakfast – you might have just solved my problem of how to get my daughter to eat inthe morning. Yippee
I love the idea of a breakfast cookie. Who can’t get behind that? These look amazing.
BTW sooo many of my favorite bloggers featured smoothies this morning. Must be something in the air :)
I think it’s that time of the year! :)
My husband’s favorite dessert is carrot cake…and he is in a breakfast rut! This looks like the perfect solution!
This is a great recipe. So glad you shared it with us.
Hi Angela! These cookies look wonderful! I’m looking forward to giving them a try. They could make a great mid morning or afternoon snack to pack into little ones’ lunch boxes x
I have some healthy cookies in the oven right now! They look like vomit but I think they will taste okay, lol
Love the muffin top texture idea!
Yum – I am always looking for breakfast cookies to add to my lineup. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m tricking myself by eating a “cookie” for breakfast, but they fill me up nicely!