Carrot cake scones are a healthy, gluten-free Easter treat

Easter is almost here, and there’s no time like the present to get your carrot cake-making skills on point. But we’re going to let you in on a little secret — you can enjoy all the mouthwatering flavors of a good carrot cake outside of the cake pan. These carrot cake scones can also be made as muffins or cupcakes to complement an Easter brunch.

If you’re on a low-carb or gluten-free diet, never fear. You don’t have to abstain from all the carroty goodness. These scones are made with almond flour and contain no added sugar. You are free to indulge and enjoy.

Carrot cake scones

Nutritional information: food energy, 314 kilocalories; saturated fatty acids, 10.56 grams; total fat, 27.20 grams; calories from fat, 244; cholesterol, 49 milligrams; carbohydrates, 19.16 grams (9 grams carbs from erythritol); total dietary fiber, 4.99 grams; protein, 8.85 grams. Total net carbs = 5.17 grams.

Ingredients:

For the scones

• 2-1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/3 cup Swerve sweetener or granulated erythritol
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1-1/2 cups shredded carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the frosting

• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons powdered Swerve sweetener or powdered erythritol
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

For the scones

1. Heat the oven to 325 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, shredded coconut, walnuts or pecans, sweetener, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and cloves. Stir in the shredded carrots. Add the eggs, butter and vanilla extract, and stir until the dough comes together.
3. Turn the dough out onto a prepared baking sheet, and form into 2 low, flat circles about 7 inches in diameter. Cut each circle into 6 even wedges. Gently lift the scones with a spatula, and spread around the baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
4. Bake 20 – 25 minutes or until golden brown and just firm to the touch. Remove, and let cool.

For the frosting

1. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sweetener, cream and vanilla until smooth.
2. Cut just a small tip off from the corner of a zip-top bag.
3. Spoon the frosting into the bag, seal, and then pipe decoratively over the cooled scones.

More Easter brunch recipes

Turn deviled eggs into adorable hatching chicks
Slow Cooker Sunday: Easter ham that just couldn’t be easier
10 recipes for an Easter potluck

Updated by Bethany Ramos on 3/9/16