Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup pecan halves, plus extra for garnish
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch fine salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for brushing waffle iron
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 2 medium carrots, shredded (1 cup)
  • Special equipment: waffle iron (preferably Belgian style)

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread all the pecans on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly, then pulse 1/2 cup in a food processor until very finely chopped, but not ground.
  • Roughly chop the remaining pecans for garnish.
  • For the cream cheese frosting: Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese and butter in a small bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth, about 1 minute.
  • Add the sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt and beat until incorporated and smooth.
  • Set aside.
  • For the carrot cake: Turn the oven down to 200 degrees F. Preheat a waffle iron to medium-high.
  • Whisk together the finely ground pecans, flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger and salt in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together the oil, milk, lemon zest, vanilla and eggs in another bowl.
  • Stir in the coconut and carrots.
  • Fold the carrot-egg mixture into the flour mixture until just combined (it's ok if there are lumps).
  • Lightly brush the top and bottom of the waffle iron with oil.
  • Fill the waffle iron about three-quarters of the way full (some waffle iron should still be showing).
  • Close the lid gently and cook until the waffle is golden brown and slightly crisp, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • Keep the cooked waffles warm in the oven or covered with foil on a plate while you make the remaining waffles.
  • Spread each waffle with the cream cheese frosting, sprinkle with the chopped pecans and dust with cinnamon.