Step-by-Step Recipe for Carrot Cake Bites with Crispello Crunch

We’re here with a brand new recipe for you today -- carrot cake bites with Crispello. The carrot cakes are moist and sweet, and the Crispello are crunchy and decadent. These bite sized balls are going to be bursting with flavor and texture. These bites are like truffles, but with more texture and flavor. They’re made of crumbled carrot cake which is mixed in with cream cheese frosting as a binding agent and topped with Crispello for a nice crunch. It’s a dessert that can be enjoyed at tea time, as an indulgence on a lazy Sunday afternoon, or even as a midnight snack if you’re feeling indulgent. Here’s how you make it:

Ingredients:

For the carrot cake:

• 1 cup grated carrots
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• Pinch of salt
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: ¼ cup crushed pineapple or raisins for added moisture

For the frosting:

• 100g cream cheese (softened)
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup icing sugar (sifted)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the coating:

• 4 Crispello bars, crushed
• 200 g milk or dark chocolate (melted)

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 175C or 350F.
2. Line a small baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In one bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Set aside.
4. In another bowl, add the eggs, sugar (both kinds), and oil. Use a handheld mixer or stand mixer to beat until the mixture is smooth.
5. Then add the vanilla, grated carrots, and any extras like pineapple or raisins if using.
6. Now gently fold the dry mix into the wet until just combined, but be sure not to overmix.
7. Pour the batter into your pan and bake for about 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let it cool completely.
8. While the cake cools, make the frosting. In a bowl, use a handheld mixer or stand mixer to beat the cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add in the icing sugar, then vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy.
9. Once your cake is cool, crumble it gently into a large mixing bowl. Add a few spoonfuls of frosting (about ½ cup) and mix with a spoon or your hands until it holds together when pressed. You want a moist texture. Add more frosting if needed, but be careful since too much frosting will cause your bites to get sticky and limp.
10. Scoop out about a tablespoon of mixture at a time and roll into balls. Place on a parchment-lined tray. You should get about 25 little bites.
11. Pop them into the fridge or freezer for 20 minutes so they can firm up.
12. In the meantime, melt your chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. If using a microwave, place the roughly chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 15 seconds. Then stop, bring it out and give it a good mix, scraping the bottoms so the chocolate doesnt stick to the base and burn. Then place it back in the microwave and heat for another 15 seconds, then stop to stir again. Continue in this way, till it is fully melted. For a double boiler, place a bowl filled with water on the stove on medium heat and place the bowl with the chopped chocolate on top till it melts. Set aside to let it cool slightly.
13. Crush your Crispello bars into a dreamy mix of flakes and chunks. Set aside in a bowl. They’ll add a crunch to the soft, spicy bites.
14. Dip each chilled cake bite into the melted chocolate. Tap off the excess. Immediately roll or sprinkle with Crispello crunch—press it in lightly so it sticks. Place them back on the tray and let them set. You can chill them to speed up the firming process.
15. Serve them in paper cups or wrap them up as handmade gifts. They pair beautifully with masala chai, a sweet lassi, or a midnight glass of wine.

Tips:

• Add some orange zest or lemon zest to the frosting if you want a bit of a zing.
• Use flax eggs, vegan butter and dairy free cream cheese for a vegan version.
• Place a toasted pecan or a chocolate chip into the centre of each ball for an added surprise.