A secret ingredient to easily sneak in more veggies than you thought possible in a delicious breakfast recipe! Gluten-free & vegan carrot cake waffles you can feel good about making, any day of the week!
Are you scared? What could the "secret ingredient" possibly be?
Well there is no need to be anxious! This "secret ingredient" is more of a lazy girl's short-cut. Something you may feel funny about buying if you don't have a baby living in your house.
Well, I was strolling through the grocery a few weeks ago and was on my usual route when I stopped myself and peered down an aisle I usually just skip. Instead of continuing on my route, I turned down the aisle and happened upon a new recipe idea, just like that! In front of me lay the ever stocked wall of baby food! Yes, baby food! I did a quick scan and there it was...jarred sweet carrot puree! (It's just carrots and water...in a jar!)
I quickly grabbed a few of the little half cup jars and by a few, I mean like ten. Recipe ideas fulfilled by these simple 55 cent jars of just a simple puree perfect for my experimentations. Since I know veggie puree works wonders in vegan pancakes and waffles, I knew what I would be trying for breakfast the next morning...
And since who has time to boil and puree carrots while they're trying to get ready for the day? That's where this "lazy kitchen hack" comes in. As long as you have a great waffle iron and you're able to open a baby food jar, you are good to go!
"Secret Ingredient" Carrot Cake Waffles
Carrot Cake Waffles
A secret ingredient to easily sneak in more veggies than you thought possible in a delicious breakfast recipe! Gluten-free & vegan carrot cake waffles you can feel good about making, any day of the week!
- Yield: 1 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ⅓ Cup All Purpose Gluten-Free Flour
- ½ Tsp Baking Powder
- ½ Tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ Tsp Ginger
- ¼ Tsp Nutmeg
- ¼ Cup of Sweet Carrot Puree
- ½ Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
- Scant ⅓ Cup Water
- Toppings:
- Cinnamon
- Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
- Protein Frosting (1 TB Vanilla Protein Powder + 2-3 TB Water)
- Shredded Carrots
Instructions
- Lightly oil and preheat your waffle iron.
- In bowl, combine all dry ingredients and whisk together with a fork.
- Then add all wet ingredients and stir to combine until there are no clumps.
- Pour the batter in the preheated waffle iron, smooth it out and let the iron do its thing!
- Top with more cinnamon, vanilla protein frosting, shredded carrots, and unsweetened shredded coconut!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
These definitely don't taste like baby food 😉 They taste like...carrot cake...for breakfast! And they are so much easier then whipping out the food processor, blender, or grater to get your carrots breakfast ready! They also freeze well so you can make it even easier on yourself any morning!
So tell me:
+ Any favorite secret ingredients or short-cut ingredients?
+ Do you ever cook with baby food?
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Wayne
I have always loved carrot cake and would beg my mom to bake one but this takes the icing. Carrot cake waffles! This I can do. Genius
★★★★★
Rebecca Pytell
The best cake flavor!
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat
What an ingenious waffle recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Sure, thanks!
Kitty
I love the sweetness that carrots can bring to things like this. Great idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea, sure!
Kristen R
I would never have thought of adding protein powder to frosting! Ingenious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
All right then.
Elaine @ FoodParsed
This is such a cool hack. Applesauce is a pretty common food, so I guess carrot-sauce should be too. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You can always find jars of baby food applesauce, carrot puree, and squash puree in my pantry 😉
Emma
Good idea! I use baby apple pots as an egg replacer all the time!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! It's the best!
Mandy
What a brilliant idea! I've tried all kinds ofways of sneaking veggies into my kids' food but it's never occured to me to use a jar of baby food - genius!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
This is one of the best "sneaky" ways 😉
Deborah Davis
Your secret is out! These carrot cake waffles are definitely "what's for breakfast" at our house this week!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! Thanks Deb!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
These look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you, Elle!
Audrey
I used to make carrot cake with baby food carrots all the time. Great time saver.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best vegan baking hack!
Amanda
these look incredible and yes, i have used baby food before - apple purée pouches as a sweetner in baking xx
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup! Applesauce jars, carrot, pear, squash!
Ashley Tukiainen
Wow! These sound decadent! I love unique waffles and pancakes 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The more fun and special the better!
Anthony
So yummy, i have saved this recipe and will try to make it for my kids. Thank you for sharing this !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fantastic! They will love it!
Andrea Wyckoff
This is such a delicious idea! I love it!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Katie
These look so delicious I’m all for baking with baby food!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
You should 😉 it's a great hack! Haha!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
I love carrot cake + love this waffles version!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Thank you!
Mummy here and there
Sounds delicious for a healthy alternative X
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Totally!
Sina @ Vegan Heaven
These look so delicious, Rebecca! Just perfect for spring! 🙂 And what a great idea to use sweet carrot puree!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Spring sunshine!
Emily
I would love to just pick the brain of a recipe developer like you Rebecca! These look beautiful.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you sweetheart!
patricia @ Grab a Plate
I'm obsessed with anything & everything "carrot cake" and your waffles looks amazing! What a great idea with the baby food! I'd never heard of that!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
We've got yo sneak veggies and carrot cake into our diets anyway we can 😉
Marilyn Lesniak
Thanks for sharing! These look yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Jacqueline Meldrum
Oh nice! I love the addition of carrots. I add them to Scottish oaty flapjacks but hadn't thought of adding them to waffles. Stumbled, pinned and yummed.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you dear! Carrots (veggies) are good in EVERYTHING 😉
SweetJ
I love a healthy waffle/pancake recipe! Excellent idea to flavor with baby food instead of worrying about preparing your own carrot puree or shredded carrots.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Right! Easy peasy swap!
Linda @ Veganosity
Well aren't you a smarty pants-hahaha! I LOVE this idea, so, so smart. I actually used to buy baby food plums and peaches for a snack when I was in school. It tasted like a healthy fruit pudding. You can only imagine the looks I got. 😉
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, it's okay! I would bring cold brussels sprouts as a snack in elementary school! Now that's where the looks are!
Mother of 3
Sounds yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Beth
Great idea!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Linda Hobden
Wow - never thought of using baby food for cooking before! Interesting recipe - I'm going to give it a go! Thanks for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The best for vegan cooking!
Mel@avirtualvegan.com
Baby food waffles! lol
What a great idea! Isn't it weird how ideas for recipes suddenly pop into your head? It constantly amazes me. I am usually in the grocery store when inspiration hits me too.
Your waffles look delicious. I adore carrot cake and could totally dig this for breakfast!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These were one of my first recipes with baby food, and I'm so glad I took that "leap"! Haha! Now you can always find JARS and JARS in my pantry!
The Vegan 8
These look soooo good girl! Love the bright orange! I have totally used carrot baby food before in baking. I have a really old cookie recipe on my blog where I used it, lol!! Your waffles look 10 times better and so healthy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Baby food is my baking life savor! Haha! So easy and cheap!
Jenn
I have the waffle iron you told me about sitting in my Amazon basket. Gonna order it this weekend!!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
OMG! YES!!! I'm telling you, that thing is the best!!!! Seriously no mess or clean up! It pops of perfectly (even while it's gluten-free and vegan)! You are going to love it!!!!
Clotilde/Craftybegonia
Hello, Those look wonderful! Thank you for sharing. Pinned!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Jerusha (@TheDisneyChef)
Not only is this beautiful to look at, I'm surprised at how healthy and allergy friendly this is compared to normal waffles. I'm tucking this into my pocket for sure. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Great! I hope you make them soon!
Aimee / Wallflower Girl's Kitchen
Yes! baby food is so great for baking. We don't have applesauce here in the UK so I always use baby food apple puree 😀 These look so damn good. I love carrot cake and love waffles so it's like my dream breakfast!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Me too! I buy the apple, carrot, squash, pear...really any!
Keri
Such a great idea! I once tried to use pureed spinach to make green cupcakes. It didn't work, but you also couldn't taste the hidden veggies.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Really! Blending a little spinach into the batter always works!!
Marla
Hi Rebecca,
Sounds like a great idea to use baby food. These waffles look and sound delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Jessy @ The Life Jolie
What a beautiful breakfast option and a great combo of two of my favorite things! Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Jessy!
Audrey
I am not a big carrot fan, but these waffles look good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These will make you a fan!
Sheeva
what a clever use for baby food!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks!
Kathryn Grace
Well, now I wish i had a waffle maker. Might have to try these as pancakes, or maybe even do this in my next batch of sourdough scones!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O man! Carrot cake sourdough scones!?!? Do it!!!
Bethany
These waffles look delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Shannon
What a genius idea! They look delicious and I feel like these would make for a perfect addition to Sunday brunch...especially on Easter!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yup, that would be it!
Lauren
Easter morning breakfast for sure!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Totally!
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl
I love the idea to use baby food. SO, so clever!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ha, it was 3 years ago!
Citra Kale @Citra's HOme Diary
Well... Now you give me another idea how to "smuggle" more vegetables for my kid's meal. thx ! 🙂 Always love your healthy food ideas, keep it on girl... 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
And they will be begging for more (veggies!) Thank you dear!
Marye
Oh my gosh, these look so good!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Christie
Baby food is a genius idea and what a time saver!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That it is!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
That is a hilarious secret ingredient!! I made my own baby food for my daughter and this would have been an excellent way to use up any leftovers she had! Now just need to get a waffle maker!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Ah yea, baby food is no longer just for babies!
April R - Uncookie Cutter
These look amazing! What a great idea to use baby food as a puree - what a time saver! Thanks for sharing, glad to have found your site (I'm' a yogi too)!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I always have jars stocked in the pantry! Thank you!
Erin
Goodness girl what a clever idea!! These waffles look amazing. Thanks for the recipe <3
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Erin! A classic seasonal breakfast!
Amberjane
I am taking out the waffle iron this weekend!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo! Good decision!
Elizabeth @ Guilty Chocoholic Mama
These look crazy-good. Love the "secret"! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you dear!
Munchkintime
This cake looks so delicious, I just have to pin it to my Easter Board! Thank you so much for sharing!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, you mean waffles 😉 Thanks!
Jessie @ The Acquired Sass
Yum. These look delicious.
My "secret hack" is buying pre-cut toppings from the salad bar when I'm making pizza at home. Saves me from wasting ingredients & I can get a big variety.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
That's a fun idea! Great for kids too to make personal pizzas!
Joyce @ It's Your Life
I love hosting Real Food Fridays because I get to read interesting recipes like this one. Pinning to my breakfast board, thanks for sharing, come by tonight and share some more.
strengthandsunshine
Thanks Joyce! I'm so glad I found your linkup 🙂
coconutandberries
Great idea! I always pick up the apple puree from the baby food section as that's the only place I can get unsweetened applesauce here but I'd completely looked over carrot. Will add it to my shopping list and hope they have it!
strengthandsunshine
Unsweetened apple sauce is hard to find! I just picked up some butternut squash puree last weekend and plan on trying it out tomorrow!
Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
Hi there. Thinking about featuring you on Allergy Free Wed but we need a link back- please :).
strengthandsunshine
Problem solved!
Wieczora (◔‿◔)
Oh, that looks delicious.
Now I also get hungry.
Happy Evening, Wieczora (◔‿◔) | my photo blog
strengthandsunshine
Haha thank you!
lydiaf1963
I think this is clever. Yeah, you can make your own puree, but for something quick, the baby food solution works wonders! Years ago there was a dessert recipe floating around which used plum puree (nowhere near as easy to make as carrot puree) and everyone used baby food. I'm sure the waffles were awesome! Now, to come up with a cream cheese frosting drizzle 🙂
strengthandsunshine
I'm excited to try some other baby purees! I just need to get back to the store 😉
sprint2thetable
I love this idea!!! Carrots are my favorite veggie - they are so sweet on their own!
strengthandsunshine
Carrots have always been my favorite veggie for years now! They are good anyway you eat or prepare them! I love raw carrots and cashew butter...so good!
Deborah Smikle-Davis
Imagine that! Waffles that taste like my favorite cake--for breakfast! It must my birthday! This dairy and gluten-free waffle recipe has stolen my heart. They look so light and tasty with vanilla protein sauce. Yum! Thank you so much for sharing this delicious recipe with us at the Happy, Healthy, Green and Natural Hop! I really appreciate it! All the best, Deb
strengthandsunshine
Haha you can have your cake and eat it too!
Marina @ Lazy for Diet
I am not the big fan of baby food because once I tasted puree from broccoli of the younger brother... It was awful! Anything similar to natural tasty broccoli. And as secret ingredient I like to add beans. They aren't felt at all in chocolate sweets 😉
strengthandsunshine
All it is is carrot puree though so...it tastes like carrots haha!
kristenk
Um this is genius! I seriously might try this and not tell my husband what the secret ingredient is!
strengthandsunshine
You should! Its nothing to be ashamed of! 😉 Be a trickster!
Jade
I've totally done the same thing! With our kiddo, once he got much older and would not eat from those jars, we had a stash and I felt too bad to let them go to waste - and they had expiry dates too! This sounds delicious!
strengthandsunshine
Thanks Jade 🙂 And I hate wasting things too, especially food!
Kristy @ Southern In Law
Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmm! A girl after my own heart! Carrot cake anything is brilliant.
I have used baby food in cooking - always purees. For such a long time, I couldn't find unsweetened applesauce in Australia and I was tired of having to make my own - but then I noticed the baby food apple puree/applesauce was unsweetened so I started using that. Now luckily I can get proper unsweetened applesauce but the baby food definitely served its purpose!
strengthandsunshine
It something that is right under everyone's nose but they just never think of it!
thesoulfulspoon
Ha!! Funny fact- I adore baby food carrots! I could eat bowls of it warmed as soup and I love baking with it! PS- it's good frozen in cubes for smoothies too!
strengthandsunshine
Haha love the smoothie idea! That's what I do with extra pumpkin puree 😉
GiGi Eats Celebrities
I LOVE that you used actual carrots - even if it is baby food! 😉
strengthandsunshine
I just wanted a "smooth" waffle and didn't feel like getting put a food processor!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Or CLEANING the food processor! ha ha! 😉
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Or clean the food processor! LOL!
strengthandsunshine
That's never too bad, just add hot water and dish soap to the attachment close the lid and give it a whirl!
Sami
I've never cooked with baby food but have to admit I've tried some (having two daughters), it's not bad...well, some of it is, like green beans. But this recipe sounds great!
strengthandsunshine
All it is is pureed carrots and water so of course it wouldn't taste weird!
jillconyers
Never would have guessed baby food! Yum!
strengthandsunshine
Haha it was the perfect easy solution to carrot puree!