Sweet and Savory Carrot-Kugel Bites with Applesauce
This Sweet and Savory Carrot-Kugel Bites recipe takes a classic dish and transforms it into delightful mini portions that are perfect for snacking or serving at gatherings. Made with fresh carrots and a hint of sweetness from both brown sugar and white sugar, these kugel bites are wonderfully moist and flavorful. The addition of applesauce adds a natural sweetness and plays nicely against the warm undertones of vanilla extract. Whether you’re serving them at a festive meal or as an after-school snack, both kids and adults are sure to love these delightful treats!
12
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Carrots
4 large (Cut into 3-4 inch pieces)
Vegetable oil cooking spray
as needed (For coating the pan)
All-purpose flour
1 cup (None)
Dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (Firmly packed)
Sugar
1/2 cup (None)
Baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (None)
Oil or applesauce
1/2 cup (Can use either option)
Eggs
2 large (None)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, place the carrots and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook for about 25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
2
Drain the cooked carrots and transfer them to a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash the carrots until smooth, but with some texture remaining.
3
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your baking pan: coat a 9-inch non-stick springform pan (or tart pan with removable bottom, muffin tin, or mini-muffin tin) with vegetable oil cooking spray, ensuring it's generously coated, especially along the sides to prevent sticking.
4
Add flour, dark brown sugar, sugar, baking powder, oil (or applesauce), eggs, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the mashed carrots. Use a handheld electric mixer to mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want to maintain some carrot texture in the batter.
5
Pour the carrot mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
6
Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes for the springform or tart pans. If using muffin tins, start checking for doneness after 20 minutes. The kugel is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7
Once baked, allow the kugel bites to cool for a few minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sweet and Savory Carrot-Kugel Bites?
They are delightful mini portions of a classic carrot kugel dish, transformed into bites that are perfect for snacking or gatherings.
Is this carrot kugel recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is categorized as vegetarian.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
What size carrots should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 large carrots.
How should I prepare the carrots before boiling?
Cut the carrots into pieces measuring about 3 to 4 inches.
How long do I need to boil the carrots?
Boil the carrots for about 25 minutes, or until they are tender.
What is the best way to mash the carrots?
Use a fork to mash the drained carrots until smooth, but leave some texture remaining.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What types of pans can I use for these bites?
You can use a 9-inch non-stick springform pan, a tart pan with a removable bottom, a muffin tin, or a mini-muffin tin.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Coat the pan generously with vegetable oil cooking spray, especially along the sides to prevent sticking.
What amount of flour is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
Can I substitute oil in the batter?
Yes, you can use either 1/2 cup of oil or 1/2 cup of applesauce.
What kind of sugar is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of firmly packed dark brown sugar and 1/2 cup of white sugar.
How much baking powder should I add?
Use 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 large eggs.
Is there any flavoring extract in the kugel?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Should I use an electric mixer for the batter?
Yes, a handheld electric mixer is recommended to mix the ingredients until just combined.
Why shouldn't I overmix the batter?
Avoiding overmixing helps maintain some of the carrot texture in the final bite.
How long do I bake the kugel in a springform or tart pan?
Bake for 45 minutes in these types of pans.
How long should I bake the kugel if using muffin tins?
Start checking for doneness after 20 minutes if using muffin tins.
How can I tell if the kugel bites are finished baking?
The kugel is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Should the bites be served warm or cold?
They can be enjoyed either warm or at room temperature.
Are these carrot bites suitable for kids?
Yes, they are kids-friendly and make a great after-school snack.
What provides the sweetness in this recipe?
Sweetness comes from the carrots, brown sugar, white sugar, and applesauce.
What is the main category of this dish?
This dish is categorized as a Vegetable dish.
Can I use a mini-muffin tin for smaller portions?
Yes, the recipe notes that a mini-muffin tin is a suitable option for preparation.
What texture should the top of the batter have before baking?
You should smooth the top of the carrot mixture with a spatula after pouring it into the pan.
What are the primary tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include carrot, kugel, vegetarian, bites, appetizers, kids-friendly, baking, and snack.
Do I need to peel the carrots?
While the recipe doesn't explicitly state to peel them, they should be cleaned and cut into pieces before boiling.
Is the brown sugar packed or loose?
The dark brown sugar should be firmly packed.