Carrot Cake Pancakes- Recipe ReDux Post # 4

This month's Recipe ReDux Challenge was to recreate a healthier version of a memorable summer vacation meal- FUN! A few years ago, soon before my daughter’s first birthday, we took a summer trip to St. Louis to introduce her to my husband’s family and friends.  One of the meals we enjoyed there was a Saturday morning breakfast at a First Watch.  This is a chain of cute little breakfast and lunch spots and I think they are best known for their AM fare.  My husband ordered some Carrot Cake Pancakes which were delicious and I could not stop taking bites off his plate!  (Luckily he was very kind about that!!)  I have enjoyed creating pancake recipes  over the past few years and have really wanted to do a carrot cake version that was healthy- not loaded with sugar or fat and which truly highlights the taste of fresh carrots.  Well- I think (hope!) I have done that with this one.  I looked up the nutrition facts for the pancakes at First Watch and I can attest that mine have way less fat and calories, but they do taste good too!  Plus my daughter, who just turned three this week, gobbles them up :) P.S. Don't forget to check out the other recipes from the talented Recipe ReDux group down below too!

Ingredients:  

1 cup oat flour (if you are on a gluten free diet use a brand such as Bob’s Red Mill  or you can make your own to by grinding gluten free oats in food processor)

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon brown sugar

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

¼ cup egg whites

1 cup nonfat milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

6 tablespoons grated carrot

2 tablespoons raisins

1 tablespoon coconut

Directions:

In a small bowl combine the baking powder, flour, brown sugar, coconut, nutmeg and cinnamon together.  To a larger bowl add the egg whites, vanilla and milk and whisk together. Then slowly whisk in the flour mixture until a smooth, thin batter is formed. Stir in the carrots and raisins and mix well. Allow to thicken for about 10-15 minutes for best results. (This batter is even better when stored overnight.) Add ¼ cup (for 1 pancake) to a non stick skillet, or one coated with cooking spray and heat on high heat for 1-2 minutes each side.  Repeat with ¼ cup mixture 5 more times for a total of 6 small-medium pancakes.

Makes 6 pancakes, 6 servings

Serving size: 1 pancake Calories 100 Protein 2g Carb 15 g Fiber 2 g Sugars  6 g Fat 2 g Saturated fat  0.5 g Sodium 55 mg