This is what happens when Easter is around the corner and you have carrot cake on the brain. I’m testing the recipes for the cookbook, and all I can think about with each recipe test is, “Wouldn’t these doughnuts be fun as a carrot cake version? Wouldn’t this cheesecake be fun as a carrot cake version? Wouldn’t this coffee chocolate chip ice cream be fun as a carrot cake version?”
Okay, so maybe not that last one… 😕
I probably ought to revisit that carrot cake cheesecake idea someday in the future. Today’s recipe is for Carrot Cake Crumble—like a deconstructed carrot cake, without all the extra flour getting in the way.
Above: carrot cake crumble topped with my favorite Healthy Ice Cream recipe.
Carrot Cake Crumble
(Serves 4-6)
- 1 1/2 cups sliced carrots ((180g)
- 3 cups diced pineapple (480g)
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp oil or buttery spread (Can omit, but crumble will be less rich) (30g)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats, gluten-free if needed (45g)
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tbsp flour of choice, excluding coconut (I used sorghum) (35g)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- pinch pure stevia, or 3 1/2 tbsp sugar of choice
Preheat oven to 325F and grease an 8-inch square pan. Finely grate the carrots (I used a food processor), then combine with the pineapple, vanilla extract, and melted buttery spread or oil. In a separate bowl, combine all remaining ingredients. Pour wet into dry, and stir to combine. Transfer to the prepared pan, and bake 35 minutes or until golden. The recipe will be “fall apart” crumbly in the first few hours, but if left overnight in the fridge it becomes firmer. Eat warm or cold, topped with melted coconut butter or your favorite ice cream (my favorite recipe is linked under the second photo in this post) if desired. Leftovers can be refrigerated or frozen.
Click for: Carrot Cake Crumble Nutrition Facts
Question of the Day:
Do you like carrot cake?
It’s always been one of my favorite holiday desserts, especially with the frosting. When I was little, I looked forward to the day after Easter when we were allowed to eat leftover carrot cake for breakfast. Somehow, carrot cake tastes even better for breakfast than for dessert!
Link of the Day: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Ball
Steph says
Mmmm, yes, I am a carrot cake fan! I used to especially love the cream cheese frosting- kinda miss that now.. oh well- anything tastes good with a coconut butter frosting right!?! I love carrot-cake-ifying anything too- from doughnuts, to waffles, to ice cream- yum yum!
Liz says
I love love love carrot cake! Except occasionally when there are literally huge chunks of carrot in it, and I feel like I’m eating cake with some vegetables…then not so much. But this looks great; I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a carrot cake crumble before!
Jessie says
Mmm yes I do ! (like carrot cake) I was thinking of doing a traditional one for my birthday, but this recipe looks a little easier to share round as party food- LOVE it!
Autumn says
OK, hold it….
*FREAKING OUT* I just found out about your website, and I love it!! I must try out some of these recipes!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
Actually, I was never a huge fan of carrot cake (I LOVE chocolate) until I stumbled upon a carrot cake recipe by Chuck Hughes that was absolutely DELICIOUS!!! It’s now up there on my list of favourite desserts! I especially love making carrot cake oatmeal (http://www.bitesforbabies.com/recipes/carrot-cake-oatmeal/) which I actually made intentionally for my kids, lol!
Crystal @ Confessions of Crystal says
This looks amazing! I would love this in a single-lady recipe. 🙂 I’m hooked on everything carrot cake. I had a carrot cake sandwich for lunch four times in one week. 🙂
Allison @ Clean Wellness says
I love carrot cake and all carrot cake variations! I think this crumble is a fabulous idea. I agree that carrot cake tastes better the next day -it’s like banana bread that way! And that ice cream on top looks AMAZING. There’s just something about those little vanilla bean specks that makes me hungry 🙂
samantha says
This looks so good, and so bright and healthy too. I LOVE carrot cake!
Tammela says
I love carrot cake and will have to try this! Here’s my go-to recipe: http://taplatt.wordpress.com/2013/02/24/recipe-classic-carrot-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/
Bernadette says
Made this last week and it was FANTASTIC!
Marcella Idsinga says
Question: the topping was very dry and powdery….Is the fat supposed to go in the topping, or in the filling, like the recipe says?
Michelle says
I don’t think there is a topping and a filling. The instructions say to mix it all together and then bake.
Unofficial CCK Helper says
It shouldn’t matter since everything is getting mixed together, but if you’d prefer to add it to the topping that’s fine!
eva says
just made this yesterday! it was delish! i made it with carrot and pineapple–i threw a shredded apple in as well because it was sitting by itself in my fridge…i’ll be making this over and over again…what a wonderful way to get more fruits & veggies into our diets…only one deviation from your instructions–i massaged 1tbsp of solid coconut oil into the crumble with my fingers until it was a coarse crumbly meal and baked it on top of the fruit instead of mixing it in…
thanks for the inspiration!
Mary Beth Bailey says
This is a fantastic recipe! I made this a couple days ago and it barely survived the family til this morning. I used spelt flour and also had to use crushed pineapple because that’s just what I happened to have in my pantry. I let it cool for a while and when I did cut into it it wasn’t much a crumble. The consistency was more of a very moist cake at first. Of course after being in the fridge it firmed up quite a lot. Anyways it was wonderful and I will definitely make it again! I may try it with freshly diced pineapple next time and maybe more oats because it was veryyy pineapple-y. Thanks for all of your AMAZING recipes!
Arlie says
I LOVE this idea but I hate pineapple. Sooo I made my own version of it with apple. The recipe is on my blog.
Avra-Sha Faohla says
Katie, I am curious, what is the function of the baking soda? I can’t identify any ingredient in the recipe with which it would react.
Tahira says
Hi Katie, thanks for the recipe, I’m trying to gather all the ingredients, can I ask which brand of sorghum flour you use?
becky says
love your recipes always turn out delicious and make me feel good about eating more natural sweets. my one request is for an easy print button!
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Highlight just the recipe, press “control” and “c” on your keyboard, then open a word document and paste 🙂
Luke says
Duuuuude. This is so good! I’m actually eating it right now and i just had to go on here and comment on this recipe ’cause i love it that much. Hahah. Thank you, Katie!
Jena @fuelingafitfam says
Carrot Cake Crumble!? What a great idea! I am always looking for great new desserts. I’ve never heard of a carrot cake crumble and I am very excited to try this! Thanks for a great recipe!
Sandra says
So good! Keep up the great recipes coming!