What is it about carrot cake that we love so much?

Is it the sweet and zesty flavor combination? The rich, velvety cream cheese?

It’s the perfect dessert of choice for a breezy Spring day as the temperatures start to climb and the colder weather starts to fade away.

But when it comes to carrot cake, there’s a lot of opinions. Do a quick search on the web, and you’ll find a hundred recipes, all with different ideas and unique flavors. But…have you ever had a carrot cake with Cracker Barrel carrots and buttermilk pancake mix? (Get ready to have your mind blown!)

This fresh new take on carrot cake with a colorful Springtime twist is a great way to celebrate not just the Easter holiday, but your next event with friends and family, or as a delicious birthday cake alternative.

Best of all, it can be prepared in a breeze!

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 1/2 cups pureed Cracker Barrel cooked carrots

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1 1/5 cups Cracker Barrel Buttermilk Pancake Mix

1 can store-bought cream cheese icing

1/2 cup shredded coconut

Zest and Juice of one lemon + second lemon for zest and slices

Fresh mint

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees—grease an 8 to 9 inch round cake pan. Line bottom with a round of parchment of waxed paper and sprinkle with Cracker Barrel pancake mix. Set aside.

2. Using a hand or stand mixer, combine the pureed carrots, cinnamon, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and whipping cream until well blended. Add in pancake mix and beat just until blended.

3. Scrape into a prepared cake pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. This cake will rise a lot while baking but will fall as it cools to create a very dense, moist carrot cake. Cool completely on the wire rack.

4. Mix together a can of cream cheese frosting, coconut, zest, and juice of one lemon. Spread on top of the cake. Garnish with more zest and lemon slices, and fresh mint.

For more great recipes and Spring gifting ideas for Easter, birthdays, and everything in between be sure to check out our new Spring Lookbook!