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!
Hi Angela,
I don’t see the place to subscribe to your website via email, where am I missing it?
Oops, I didn’t get that it was an icon! My bad!
Glad you found it!
These look so good! I love any excuse to eat cookies for breakfast:)
You had me at “carrot cake”. :D Is there any better flavour? Well, okay, pumpkin pie and chocolate mint rank pretty high, but carrot cake is definitely up there too!
I just put these little nuggets of joy in the oven. Can’t wait to try them! The batter was delicious (I may have licked the bowl…) I didn’t have any maple syrup, so I substituted honey- hopefully it will work the same. Thanks, Angela, for yet another amazing idea!
Glad you are giving them a try! Oh man, the batter- it’s amazing isn’t it? I could just eat it as is…
BREAKFAST COOKIES OMG OMG!!! I loooove breakfast cookies but haven’t made some in over a year. Can’t wait to try these! Also, what is your opinion: where is the best place to buy a vitamix? Thanks!
i just bought mine from their website…but I have heard that Costco brings them on “tours” throughout their stores. I think you’d have to inquire with them when it’s coming to their store (if they are still doing it that is), but I’ve heard they are quite a bit cheaper. Other than that, I’m not too sure.
Ok, I just had to post a follow-up: These are fantastic! I just took them out of the oven and promptly ate two, then picked a piece off of a third… debating going in for the rest of the third cookie. YUM!
Glad to hear that!! Ours arent lasting very long.
Man, can I come over for breakfast? I love cookie/cake like things for breakfast…thank you for sharing the recipe. It looks like chia seeds are popping up everywhere!
The cookies look like a perfect morning treat – esp to go with the smoothie. I am addicted to the green monsters – despite the cold temps – and always chase them with hot tea!!! Gives me 2 things to look forward to in the morning :-) (now 3 with the cookies!) Thanks for another great recipe
i love breakfast cookies! not too sweet and healthy!
Both recipes look delicious! I have been wanting to try a “Monster” smoothie forever but I haven’t… Can you make them taste yummy without the protein powder?
Both of those recipes look SO good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
Hi. I’ve never really had any kind of green smoothie, but I visit your blog to get get inspired to eat healthier & to see all the great recipes and photos. Do the berries make it taste more like a fruite smoothie? just asking cuz I dont think id like the taste of the greens..thanks :)
I think it depends on how much you use. I find you can’t taste the spinach at all when using a frozen banana. Enjoy!
those cookies look so good.. i love carrot cake. a healthy cookie is so worth that carrot cake flavor. :-)
These look even better than the originals! Although I have to say that it looks like the offspring came first…surely these must be the parents? ;)
I loooove healthified recipes of cookies, muffins, etc.! I’ve been craving carrot cake and these sound really good~And I love how honest Eric is with you! He kind of reminds me of my fiance. He’s very careful and gentle with how he describes things, but still honest. :P Aren’t we lucky to have them in our lives?! hehe.
Oh, that’s exactly what would I need every morning! Thanks for posting! Where can I get this magic Raw Protein powder?
Angela, my hubby has been begging me to make something healthy for breakfast other than the mixed buckwheat and oat hot cereal. I thought this would do nicely so I whipped up a batch tonight. They are perfect! I’ll look foward to having these in the morning. Thanks!
I love this! What a way to start your day! :-D
The carrot cookie looks so good! I would never of thought of that! I have a few carrots looking to be created into something tasty. Thanks Angela, I’m going to give this one a try!
Luv both of these recipes..they sound great! Can’t wait to make a carrot cake breakfast cookie..I have found that I need a bit more than a green smoothie…great idea!