WIW: Waffled Carrot Cake

1/2 C. pecan halves, plus extra for garnish

 

4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

2 T. unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 C. confectioners’ sugar

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Pinch fine salt

 

1 C. all-purpose flour

1/2 C. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground cinnamon, plus more for dusting

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. fine salt

1/3 C. vegetable oil, plus more for brushing waffle iron

1/4 C. milk

1/2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1/4 C. sweetened shredded coconut

2 medium carrots, shredded (1 C.)

 

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 C. 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.