This Spring Carrot Soufflé Recipe is a fluffy carrot casserole made super quick and easy in the blender, there’s no whipping or folding egg whites involved. It makes the perfect pairing for an Easter ham or just about any spring meal.
While this soufflé isn’t the traditional rush it to the table before it falls type of French soufflé, it’s still light and fluffy, and full of sweet carrot flavor that just about everybody will love.
How is this carrot soufflé different from a traditional French soufflé?
- A classic French soufflé is made with egg whites that are beaten until stiff, and then folded into the base of the recipe. When it bakes the egg whites help it to rise nice and tall. A soufflé made this way will sometimes fall after it comes out of the oven as it starts to cool, so cooks will rush it to the table while it’s still impressively high.
- This ‘soufflé’ is so named because it has a similar fluffy texture, and is made with lots of eggs. But in this case they are beaten into the dish whole. It does puff up a bit as it bakes, and also sinks down a bit as it cools, but not nearly as dramatically as its namesake. The texture is denser, but smooth and creamy, which I love.
This creamy soufflé is a savory recipe, and I love it with a shower of snipped chives, but there’s no reason you couldn’t sweeten it up like I do with my fall Butter Pecan Pumpkin Soufflé or my Butter Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole. Those two side dishes include the tantalizing addition of a sweet streusel topping. You could substitute carrots for the pumpkin or sweet potato in either recipe for a springtime version if that tempts you.
I love this dish because it’s unexpected, but not crazy in any way, everybody at the table, even the little ones, will love the fluffy texture and the sweet flavor of the carrots. It complements ham perfectly, but will fit right in with so many everyday meals.
Carrots are one of the first things I reach for when I first feel that hint of spring in the air. Sure, they’re always there in the produce aisle, but somehow they take on a new significance as the season shifts from winter to spring…
- Rainbow Carrots with Browned Butter and Sage ~ another carrot side dish that works for any spring meal.
- Rye and Carrot Salad ~ this is one of my favorite salads on the blog, it’s unique and really delicious.
- Carrot Soup with Ginger and Lime ~ a classic with a twist.
- Quick Pickled Rainbow Carrots ~ rainbow carrots are so pretty, and this is a great way to show them off. Use these pickled carrots for quick healthy snacking.
tvfgi recommends: a 2 quart soufflé dish
This oven and broiler safe baking dish isn’t only for soufflés, it can be used to bake hot dips and mac and cheese, even chili. If you love glass, Pyrex makes a basic soufflé dish, too.
I recommend the 2 quart size, it’s the sweet spot, not too big or too small.
Reader Rave ~
“This was a huge hit!! I doubled it and used a bundt pan it turned out perfect. Light fluffy. Thanks it will definitely be a recipes I will continue to make at many meals!! Thanks, Sue!!” ~ Marcie
Carrot Soufflé
Ingredients
- a two pound bag of carrots, peeled, trimmed, and cut into one inch slices.
- 1 cup buttermilk, you can also use regular whole milk
- 5 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and lightly butter your baking dish. I used a round 2 quart dish but you can also use an 8x8 square baker.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil with a teaspoon of salt and add the carrots. Gently boil the carrots until they are tender. (Check with the point of a sharp knife.) Drain.
- Meanwhile, I blend the buttermilk, eggs, and salt in my Vitamix (you can also use your food processor.)
- I'll add the drained cooked carrots, butter, and sugar, and blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
- Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in the cheese, flour, and baking powder. Pour into your prepared dish, spreading out evenly.
- Bake for about an hour, or a little longer, until puffed up and just beginning to brown (cover loosely with foil if it seems to be browning too soon.) It shouldn't jiggle in the center, or look wet inside the cracks.
- Serve while hot, with a shower of snipped chives
Notes
Recipe is lightly tweaked from The Kitchn
Thanks for pinning!
If I want to make it in individual ramekins, how long do I bake it for and do I need to adjust the temperature? Thanks.
The temperature should be the same, and as for the length of time it will depend on the size of your ramekins. I would start checking at 15 minutes, without opening the oven door.
Hi. I cannot find your handled dish on the Amazon page.
Can you help with the manufacturer?
thanks!
I looked for an exact match but couldn’t find it on Amazon, I’m pretty sure I found mine randomly at Marshalls…the manufacturer is called Blue Harbor.
Thanks! I have a few of those random finds from Marshalls too. Love ’em
This Carrot Souffle looks great! I definitely need to make this as a side for a nice Sunday dinner!
It’s perfect for a Sunday dinner!
Fluffy carrots! Sue, you just took the weight out of this common looking veggie and gave it another chance; congratulations!
Thanks Alexandra, I think this recipe has made me fall in love with carrots all over again.
I made this with dinner last night and it was a huge hit! Thanks so much for sharing!
What a new and exciting way to serve carrots. Pinning to try!
I’ve been looking for new ways to add carrots to a meal and this is a perfect recipe. Looks so delicious!
It’s really tasty, Andrea 🙂
Hi Sue-
This looks amazing! I was wondering if I could use almond flour. What do you think??
I thought about that, and I think you could. I would use a finely ground flour, not a coarse meal, though.
this is such a unique & gorgeous veggie dish! what a great idea!
I must give this recipe a try! It looks so light and fluffy and no doubt delicious. This reminds me of a sweet potato soufflé my mom used to make – great recipe! Pinned 🙂
We went nuts over this Tricia, it’s not too sweet, which really makes it nice, in my view. But carrots have such a great naturally sweet flavor that it’s really lovely.