Description
Cashew Carrot Bites with Honey Cream are a light and moist dessert, offering a flavorful alternative to traditional carrot cake. Made with grated carrots, cashew nuts, and a blend of warm spices, these bite-sized treats are baked to perfection and paired with a sweet and creamy honey mascarpone topping.
Ingredients
For the Bites:
- 200 grams (7 oz) carrots (about 4 medium-sized)
- 150 grams (5.3 oz) cashew nuts or walnuts, roughly chopped
- 130 grams (½ cup) wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 70 grams (⅓ cup) sugar
- 2-3 drops vanilla extract
- 70 grams (2.5 oz) butter, room temperature
For the Honey Cream:
- 180 grams (6.3 oz) mascarpone cheese
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Carrots and Nuts: Peel the carrots and grate them finely. Roughly chop the cashew nuts or walnuts to the desired size.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine wheat flour, corn starch, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, use a food processor or mixer to beat the egg and sugar together until well blended. Add the room temperature butter and vanilla extract, then continue mixing for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is smooth.
- Incorporate Carrots and Nuts: Switch to using dough hooks on your mixer. Add the grated carrots and chopped nuts to the wet mixture and blend well. Slowly add the dry flour mixture and continue mixing until the dough is evenly combined.
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Tray: Heat your oven to 200 °C (390 °F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Place heaped teaspoons of dough spaced apart on the tray, allowing room for spreading. Use multiple trays or bake in batches if needed.
- Bake the Bites: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until the bites are cooked through and lightly golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Honey Cream: In a bowl, firmly mix mascarpone cheese with honey until smooth and creamy. Chill in the refrigerator.
- Assemble the Bites: Once the bites have cooled to room temperature, spread a generous layer of honey cream on the flat side of one bite. Sandwich it with the flat side of another bite. Repeat with remaining bites.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the assembled cashew carrot bites for 30 minutes to 1 hour to set the cream and enhance flavors.
- Enjoy: Serve chilled as a delightful, lighter alternative to traditional carrot cake desserts.
Notes
- For a nut-free option, substitute cashews with seeds or omit altogether.
- Using walnuts in place of cashews adds a different flavor profile and texture.
- Ensure the butter is soft and at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Spacing the bites well on the baking tray prevents them from sticking together while baking.
- Chilling the assembled bites helps the cream firm up, making them easier to handle and enhancing taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
