Carrot Cake Dip
Carrot Cake Dip
Ingredients
For the Sweetened Carrots
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and finely shredded
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Mix-ins and Garnish
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons shredded carrots, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for garnish
For Serving
- 1 graham crackers, for serving, as needed
- 1 apple slices, for serving, as needed
- 1 pretzels, for serving, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Place the finely shredded carrots in a few layers of paper towels and squeeze firmly to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This prevents the dip from becoming watery.
⏱️ 3 min
- 2
In a medium skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the squeezed shredded carrots and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Stir in the light brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the carrots are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the cream cheese. Beat again until thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Once the sweetened carrot mixture has cooled, add it to the cream cheese base along with the well-drained crushed pineapple and chopped walnuts. Fold all ingredients together with a spatula until just combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 7
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dip to firm up.
- 8
Before serving, transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional shredded carrots, chopped walnuts, and a dusting of ground cinnamon.
⏱️ 2 min
- 9
Serve chilled with graham crackers, apple slices, pretzels, or other dippers of your choice.
⏱️ 1 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Carrot Cake Dip
Ingredients
For the Sweetened Carrots
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and finely shredded
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cream Cheese Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Mix-ins and Garnish
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, well-drained
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped, plus extra for garnish
- 2 tablespoons shredded carrots, for garnish
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for garnish
For Serving
- 1 graham crackers, for serving, as needed
- 1 apple slices, for serving, as needed
- 1 pretzels, for serving, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Place the finely shredded carrots in a few layers of paper towels and squeeze firmly to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This prevents the dip from becoming watery.
⏱️ 3 min - 2
In a medium skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the squeezed shredded carrots and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Stir in the light brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sugar has dissolved and the carrots are tender and caramelized. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the cream cheese. Beat again until thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Once the sweetened carrot mixture has cooled, add it to the cream cheese base along with the well-drained crushed pineapple and chopped walnuts. Fold all ingredients together with a spatula until just combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 7
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dip to firm up.
- 8
Before serving, transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional shredded carrots, chopped walnuts, and a dusting of ground cinnamon.
⏱️ 2 min - 9
Serve chilled with graham crackers, apple slices, pretzels, or other dippers of your choice.
⏱️ 1 min