Why did people add carrots to cake hundreds of years ago?

Carrots add sweetness and moisture to a batter . Carrot cakes have been around for centuries, but the modern carrot cake can be traced back to World War II when carrots were suggested as a way to add sweetness to cakes when sugar was being rationed, according to the World Carrot Museum of Skipton, England.

Were there cookies in the 1700s?

Let's have a hearty hip-hip-hooray for the German Protestants, who settled in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, and invented the early sugar cookie. Their crumbly cookie made with butter and shaped into round or keystone shapes were a sweet hit from their formation in the late 1700s.

Why did my carrots turn black in my carrot cake?

Carrots contain pigments that are sensitive to changes in pH balance. When the shreds of carrot come into contact with the alkaline baking soda, a chemical reaction takes place that causes the pigments to change color .

Why is butter not used in carrot cake?

Oil-Based Cakes: Carrot cake recipes often use vegetable oil (e.g., canola or sunflower oil) instead of butter as the primary fat . Oil-based cakes tend to be moister and have a softer, more tender crumb. The mild flavor of vegetable oil also allows the carrot and spice flavors to shine through.

What is the oldest known cookie?

Pizzelles are the oldest known cookie and originated in the mid-section of Italy. They were made many years ago for the “Festival of the Snakes” also known as the “Feast Day of San Domenico”.

What is the oldest cookie in the world?

In 8th century Abruzzo, Italy, the pizzelle was created and heralded for its subtle sweetness and satisfying crispy texture.

What cookie was not invented until 1938?

It wasn't until very recently, around 1938, that chocolate chip cookies were first invented. Unlike a lot of other things, the chocolate chip cookie was not invented by accident. During the 1930s, a chef named Ruth Graves Wakefield decided to give something different to her customers.

Why were carrots used in cakes?

During this time, sweeteners were expensive and often scarce, so people would use readily available ingredients like carrots to sweeten their desserts. Carrots were also used in cakes as a substitute for sweeteners in recipes.

What is the history of using carrots in baked goods?

The practice of using carrots in desserts started in medieval times . Cooks would make a type of “pudding” with boiled carrots, spices, flour and eggs. Once ovens were more readily available, it became much more popular to bake desserts instead of boiling or steaming them.

What is the history of carrot cake?

Carrot cake is thought to have originated in England where housewives used sweet products (e.g carrots) to naturally sweeten their confections during World War II.

Why do people put carrots in cake?

Carrots were first used in cakes in the Middle Ages, when sugar was expensive and scarce. Carrots were a natural sweetener and added moisture to the cake. Carrot cake became popular in the United States in the early 1900s, and it is now a classic American dessert.

Vintage Recipe Carrot Cookies (2024)

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A carrot cookie recipe from WW2 that only doesn't use any refined sugar and comes straight from Great-grandma's recipe box, yes please.

Most vintage recipes use frugal and real food ingredients, making them healthier for us and lighter on the pocket book. One of my favorite things about vintage recipes is the stories behind them. Andrea has been taking us through her great-grandmother's recipe collection from the 1930's and 1940's.

Anyone else have a love affair with this time period and all things vintage? I can't help but love this is a WW2 carrot recipe. Often though a lowly root vegetable, carrots are a great addition to baked goods with providing both moisture and flavor.

Many of us have vegetables coming along in the garden so this a fabulous recipe to put to work with what you have. It calls for carrots, but I might try playing around with some zucchini or even pumpkin. If you missed the other parts in this fabulous series (Andrea, huge thank you for sharing your families treasures with the rest of us) check out Frugal Kitchen Tips from 1913 and Historical Recipe: Honey Date Squares

If you're looking for a carrot cake cookie recipe, you'll still want to try these, but don't expect them to taste like carrot cake. These healthy carrot cookies are more like an oatmeal cookie in texture.

Andrea~

This recipe for oatmeal carrot raisin cookies is another 1940's find from my great-grandmother's collection. Sweetened with honey, and full of raisins, nuts, carrots, and oats. Breakfast cookies are totally a thing, especially a carrot breakfast cookie because veggies, right?

And to up the health factor, though traditionally made with pastry flour, they turn out equally as well with whole wheat pastry four, spelt flour, or a gluten-free blend. Walnuts and pecans are both good choices for the nuts.

Don't be afraid to make these your own. And if you need to be nut free, feel free to leave them out.

How to use fresh ground Spelt flour in carrot cookies

I love using spelt flour in my baking because spelt is an ancient grain that has a higher protein count but less gluten,who doesn't love all that, right?

However, I've always have to increase the amount of spelt flour by an extra quarter cup to 1 cup of regular flour, so if you make this recipe with spelt flour, you may need to add an extra 1/2 cup of flour, using 2 and 1/2 cups total. I usually start with the regular amount, but if it feels to wet or doughy, I add a 1/4 to 1/2 cup until if feels correct.

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Carrot Cookies Recipe

Mix together flour, baking powder, and spices and set aside.
Cream together butter or oil and carrot. Beat in baking soda, honey, and eggs.
Stir in raisins, nuts, and oats.
Add dry ingredients to carrot mixture and mix until combined.
Drop by spoonfuls on greased or lined pans and bake at 350 degrees for 12 – 15 minutes. (The original recipe calls for 15 minutes, but I found mine were done by 12 and over-browned by 15)
Cool on a wire rack.

Print version of healthy carrot cookie recipe

Carrot Cookies Recipe WW2

MelissaKNorris

This carrot cookies recipe is not only healthy (no refined sugar) but is also hales from WW2 making it an old-fashioned delicious dessert or snack every house should have on hand… or in the cookie jar!

4.21 from 39 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups flour whole wheat pastry, spelt, or gluten-free blend
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon
½ cup softened butter or coconut oil
1 cup grated raw carrot
¼ tsp baking soda
¾ cup honey
2 eggs well beaten
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 cups rolled oats

Instructions

Mix together flour, baking powder, and spices and set aside.
Cream together butter or oil and carrot. Beat in baking soda, honey, and eggs.
Stir in raisins, nuts, and oats.
Add dry ingredients to carrot mixture and mix until combined.
Drop by spoonfuls on greased or lined pans and bake at 350 degrees for 12 – 15 minutes.

Notes

Feel free to sub in your favorite flour for these healthy carrot cookies, we love ancient grains but a gluten free blend of equal parts almond flour, coconut flour, and ground golden flax meal is our at home go to.

Keyword carrot cookies recipe healthy carrot cookie carrot cookie recipe WW2

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

The original carrot cookies recipe was published in a victory economy bulletin by the Lakeside Milling Company of Toronto, Canada.