A Soufflé-Like Sweet Carrot Casserole

This Sweet Carrot Casserole will puff up in the oven, then deflate as it cools. That’s normal. The texture is smooth and somewhat airy like a soufflé. Moreover, the flavor is slightly sweet with maple syrup overtones, but not so sweet that it feels like dessert.

Recipe inspiration

How do you decide if you will keep a particular cookbook? I guess you could ask if it “sparks joy.” I find myself looking at old cookbooks less and less with the internet so easy to use.

At any rate, I’m glad my younger sister keeps them. Once in a while, she comes up with a good “old” recipe. Here’s an updated version of her Carrot Casserole.

Bonnie tells me she got this recipe from a cookbook called “Minnie Pearl Cooks.” (paid link) It was given to her by her mother-in-law who got it at a garage sale. We’re talking good ole’ southern cooking here with plenty of butter and sugar.

How I made this Sweet Carrot Casserole healthier?

I thought the original idea for this recipe was good but the execution was not quite my style. So here’s how I adjusted a few of the ingredients and methods. Hope you like it.

• Reduced the butter and sugar by at least half.
• Added salt.
• Substituted maple extract for cinnamon. 
• Used an Instant Pot to cook the carrots and intensify their flavor.
• Used a food processor to mash carrots and blend in remaining ingredients for much better texture.

How can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?

You can cook the carrots on top of the stove or in a microwave oven. See the notes in the recipe for directions for using the stove.

Check out this site from Grimway Farms for microwave instructions to cook baby carrots.

How can I keep baby carrots fresh longer?

I learned a tip from the Grimmway Farms site about the best way to prolong the freshness of baby carrots.

To extend the shelf life of your carrots, you can place a damp paper towel in the bag or container, but avoid storing carrots in water as it will soften their texture.
—Grimmway Farms

When you find baby carrots on sale, buy an extra bag to make this recipe. You won’t need to chop the carrots.

How to make Carrot Casserole:

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Paula

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Sweet Carrot Casserole

Yield: 6 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Puréed carrots get a company-best treatment with a little butter, sugar and maple flavoring. You'll love the soufflé-like texture. An Instant Pot and food processor make assembly quick and easy but neither are essential.

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Ingredients

• 1 pound scrubbed carrots, cut in 1/2 to 3/4 inch chunks
• 3 tablespoons flour (I use Bob’s Redmill Paleo flour making this recipe grain-free)
• 1/3 cup sugar (I use Swerve)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon maple extract (can sub vanilla extract)
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup butter cut in chunks

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

1. Add 1 cup of water to an Instant Pot, then place a stainless steel foldable vegetable steamer into the pot.
2. Place carrots in the steamer. Set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 5 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally.
3. Place cooked carrots in a food processor and process until smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Alternatively, use a stand mixer or immersion blender for this step.
4. Pour into a medium oven-safe buttered casserole dish. Bake at 400˚ F for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350˚ F. and continue baking for 45 minutes or until casserole is set and beginning to brown on top.

Notes

Directions for cooking without an Instant Pot:

1. Add 1 cup water to a large pot and then the sliced carrots.
2. Cook until carrots are tender. Cover to be sure the pot doesn't boil dry.
3. Proceed to step 2 above.

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  Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
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  TOPOKO Vegetable Steamer Basket, Fits Instant Pot Pressure Cooker 5/6 QT and 8 QT, 18/8 Stainless Steel, Folding Steamer Insert For Veggie Fish Seafood Cooking, Expandable to Fit Various Size Pot

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 servings Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 267Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 497mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 6g

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