My grandfather was a tile setter and owned his own tile setting company. In the 1960′s, he hired a young high school boy to be his helper.
My grandfather and his whole family, except for one of his daughters (who thought he was ugly and obnoxious), loved this boy. The young boy was smitten by this particular daughter, but being four years younger than him and just plain picky, she didn’t want anything to do with him. He continued to flirt with her and charm her until she finally agreed to go out with him.
That was all it took. They dated until a couple years after the boy graduated from high school when he was drafted to the Vietnam War. Being young and in love and unable to be convinced otherwise, the young girl, at the age of sixteen, dropped out of high school and married this boy before he went to war.
And that’s the story of how my mom and dad met and got married. Due to a motorcycle accident, my dad never ended up going overseas, but instead was stationed at various places in the U.S. until his term was over. My mom went with him everywhere, and while he was stationed in Monterey, California, she went to junior college and got her GED. When his term was over, she went to work while he went to college to get a business degree, and with that he started his own tile setting company. They bought a house, had a couple (incredibly amazing) kids, and the rest is history.
Growing up, my dad did 99% of the cooking in our house and one of my absolute most favorite things he would make was waffles. Always the early bird, he would always wake up before all of us. Taking after him, I would usually get up shortly after. There was nothing better than waking up to the smell of waffles on the weekend, running downstairs and watching my dad as he would pour some fresh batter into the waffle maker so I could have one, nice and hot. He would smear it with butter and douse it in Mrs. Butterworth’s then hand me my plate so we I could eat my waffle while watching TV with him in the living room.
Today is my dad’s birthday, and to celebrate, I made waffles for my family this last weekend. My dad would never go for carrot cake waffles- plain waffles are more his style. One of my favorite stories that my grandfather tells about my dad is that the first time they had him over for breakfast, they had waffles. My dad asked for peanut butter to go with his waffles. My grandparents thought he was crazy, but handed him the jar and watched as he smeared chunky peanut butter all over his waffle before pouring the syrup on it. I can just picture my grandfather watching him, one eye-brow raised, but my grandfather, so curious about this peanut butter idea, gave it a try himself. And loved it. And to this day, that’s how my grandfather eats his waffles too. And he tells us the story every time. It’s one of my most favorite things.
These carrot cake waffles are probably the best waffles to ever come out of my kitchen. Their flavor is so rich and carroty, the plump little raisins adding a punch of flavor, but what is so striking about these waffles is how moist and fluffy and cakey they are. It’s just like taking a bite of carrot cake, but in waffle form. Then there’s the cinnamon maple cream cheese spread. I can’t even begin to stress to you enough how amazing this stuff is. It tastes like cinnamon roll glaze, but with more of a cream cheese flavor and a tiny bright burst of lemon, and having it piled on top of one of these super-cakey waffles is just dessert-for-breakfast heaven.
I wish I lived close enough to my dad to be able to make him some plain waffles for his birthday and watch him smear chunky peanut butter all over them before he eats them. Because I don’t, though, I’ll settle for enjoying another batch of these carrot cake waffles, smothered in maple cream cheese sauce, and thinking of my dad and fondly remembering how he passed on his love of waffles to me.
carrot cake waffles
with cinnamon maple cream cheese spread
Ingredients
- 1 cup oat flour (or grind rolled oats in a high speed blender to get 1 cup of flour)
- 1/2 cup brown rice flour
- 1/2 cup sorghum flour (or replace both the brown rice and sorghum flours with a flour blend of your choice)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 1/2 cups plain coconut yogurt (or soy yogurt)
- 2/3 cup almond milk (or other dairy-free milk)
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots (finely grated, not in large shreds)
- 2/3 cup raisins (optional), plus extra for sprinkling on top
- 1/2 cup vegan cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Using an electric mixer, thoroughly whip the cream cheese, cinnamon, and maple syrup together until fluffy. Chill until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just combined. Fold in the carrots and raisins, if using. Let stand for 10 minutes, while you let the waffle maker heat up.
- Cook waffles according to your waffle maker's instructions. Top with cinnamon maple cream cheese sauce and maybe a smidge more maple syrup and serve warm. Enjoy!
Do you share any food loves with your parents?
Photography by Chris Miller
 |
This sounds like something I wish my favorite brunch place would offer. Seriously sounds amazing! Carrot cake is my favorite, so I can only imagine it in its waffle form with a maple cream cheese topping.
Thank you, Grace! Since becoming vegan, we have the hardest time finding breakfast places that we really like. Even though it’s a little more effort, sometimes it just pays off to have breakfast at home!
Oh my goodness, these look amazing! And I loved your story and the way you wrote it. I don’t have a waffle iron but I just might have to get one to try these, although would the batter work as pancakes? I know it wouldn’t be the same, though!
Beth recently posted…ProCompression sock review
Thank you, Beth!
I’m sure it couldn’t be too far off if you used the batter to make pancakes. I haven’t tried it, but if you do, definitely report back and let me know how they are! 
Such a lovely story. I remember my mom making her delicious french toast from time to time, full of cinnamon and topped with maple syrup. That was a good way to start the week-end
These look sooooo good!
For once, I have some vegan cream cheese, vegan yogurt and some time on my hand. Could I make the batter in advance and cook the waffles on the week-end? Or should I cook the waffles now and reheat them later?
Thank you, Mary! I actually made the batter the night before, and they turned out just fine. I can’t say how it would be if you waited until the weekend to cook them, but I can’t think of any reason why there would be a problem.
Enjoy!
these are absolutely stunning, kristy! i so want these waffles right now! carrot cake is one of my favorite flavors and i can only imagine how perfect it is in waffle form.
happy birthday to your papa!
Caitlin recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
Thank you, Caitlin! These far surpassed my expectations. If you love carrot cake, then these waffles will be right up your alley.
Thank you for posting this! I was just thinking last weekend that I needed some new waffle recipes. These look so delicious and great photography!
Thank you, Alex!
Happy Birthday to your Dad.. That is such a sweet story..:) love those waffles! carrot cake in any form is a fave.
mom’s meat habits went from 5 days a week to twice a year:)
my mom n dad had an arranged marriage.. dad saw my mom and said yes immediately.. mom saw him with a thick moustache and said.. hmmm.. then dad took her to dinner and ate everything she ordered(he was a vegetarian but ate chicken to please her or maybe he just didnt notice). and after 2 dates she said yes..
Richa recently posted…Kesar Burfi – Almond Semolina Fudge flavored with Saffron- Guest post for Dassana. Vegan Recipe
Thank you! That is so sweet about your parents too- How amazing is it that it only took two dates to know that they could spend the rest of their lives together. That’s amazing!
they were lucky..:) usually people get 10 minutes of alone time when they go meet the person with family.. and then some elder will ask you yes or no and you decide:)
Richa recently posted…Kesar Burfi – Almond Semolina Fudge flavored with Saffron- Guest post for Dassana. Vegan Recipe
its different now with the social media.. one of my cousins chatted for some months and then met his now fiancee a few times before they were asked.
Wow! That’s so fascinating to me!
Beautiful story for a beautiful recipe
Thank you!
Happy birthday, Kristy’s Dad! What a sweet story! These waffles sound just amazing. In the battle of pancakes versus waffles, waffles always win for me. I just love those crisp nooks and crannies. The description of that cinnamon maple cream cheese has me wanting to make waffles right this second, but since it’s about bedtime I suppose I’ll have to settle for this weekend instead!
Cadry recently posted…Vegan Food: It’s Just Food
Thank you, Cadry! I’m totally with you- waffles > pancakes.
The waffles alone look lovely but with the spread, oh my, I can’t wait to try these!
That spread is incredible. I still have a little leftover and I spread a tiny bit on a couple apple slices yesterday- Incredible!
These look fabulous! I love carrot cake and muffins, now I can have it in waffle form. These will be especially great for Easter!
Marcie@FlavortheMoments recently posted…Peanut Butter Cookies with Tagalongs
Thank you, Marcie! Carrot cake in any form is always good by me.
Well these are probably the most beautiful (and delicious) waffles I have ever laid my eyes on. I am obsessed with carrot cake anything and I only wish I had a waffle iron so I could make these! I’m definitely pinning them for when that day comes
Your parents story is probably the cutest thing I have ever heard
Thank you, Gabby! I’m hoping that day comes sooner rather than later!
Oh Kristy, I LOVE your dad, he was always so sweet and laid back. This is a really neat post, and the waffles look AMAZING. Might need to make them for Brett’s birthday in a couple months, he will go crazy for them.
Heather recently posted…Overheard:
Thank you, Heather! He is quite sweet and laid back. I love him too.
And I hope Brett loves the pancakes!
I think I’m going to have to dig out my waffle iron. These look incredible! Carrot cake is delicious and so are waffles. The combination could possibly kill me with flavour overload! *hah* Cannot wait to make these!
Thank you, Courtney! These are definitely some of the best waffles to come from my kitchen in ages.
Enjoy!
These look amazing!I love the wheat-freeness and what’s not to love about carrot cake! Thanks sista! xo
Thank you!
These look and sound AMAZING! I keep finding reasons to need a waffle iron, and this is adding to the list! Such a delicious breakfast, and carrot cake flavored? With cream cheese frosting?! So yummy.
Rachel @ Bakerita recently posted…Chubby Hubby Fudge
Thank you, Rachel!
RIGHT, that’s it – I am going straight to the shop to invest in a waffle maker! These look incredible, Kristy! My Mum and I are huge fans of carrot cake, so I think I need to make these for her immediately!
I loved reading the story of your Dad and grandfather too. xx
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles recently posted…L.A. Vegan – Real Food Daily, West Hollywood
Thank you, Bex! I love the idea of you sharing these with your mum!
What an amazing story Kristy – thanks for sharing this! Not so much a food love, but I do share a love of Gardening with my Dad
Heather recently posted…“cheezy” potato broccoli soup
Thank you! I think our dads must be cut from the same cloth. My dad has recently become very interested in gardening and started growing all sorts of things in their backyard.
Love the story, love the waffles! I think I’m going to try it as a pancake batter since sadly I do not own a waffle iron. That cream cheese sounds divine. As I read the post I was wishing that I could find that flavor in my grocery but lamenting that small towns don’t have delicious vegan foods. Imagine my delight when I saw the recipe and the flavor combo is yours! I have all the ingredients at home already, thanks Kristy!
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} recently posted…Dinner Menu for the Week
Yay! I hope you like it, Anna!