Description
This Carrot Cake Cobbler is a delightful twist on traditional carrot cake, combining moist spiced batter with a sweet walnut topping and a hot water soak that creates a luscious, pudding-like texture beneath a crisp crust. Perfect for a comforting dessert that serves eight, it’s simple to make and bakes in under an hour.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all purpose flour (+ 3 tablespoons)
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter (or vegetable oil)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup grated carrot
Topping and Additional Ingredients
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (or pecans)
- 1 1/2 cups very hot water
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350° F (175° C) to warm up while you prepare the batter and topping.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and cloves. Stir well and set aside.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a smaller bowl, mix together the unsweetened applesauce, milk, melted butter, vanilla bean paste, and grated carrot until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Create Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined to form a thick batter. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Pour the batter into an 8-inch rectangular casserole dish with high sides, spreading evenly.
- Make Topping: In a separate bowl, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and chopped walnuts (or pecans). Evenly spread this mixture over the surface of the batter in the dish.
- Add Hot Water: Carefully pour 1 1/2 cups of very hot water over the entire dish without stirring. The water will soak through during baking and create a moist cobbler texture.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish on a baking sheet to catch any overflows, then bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the center is set and the edges are golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cobbler to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. For an extra indulgence, serve with additional nuts and a scoop of cheesecake ice cream.
Notes
- Use a baking sheet under the casserole dish to catch any spills or bubbles during baking.
- The hot water poured on top creates a unique, pudding-like layer beneath the crust. Do not stir after adding the water.
- You can substitute vegetable oil for melted butter if desired to make it dairy-free.
- For added flavor, toasted nuts can be used instead of raw.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
