Healthier Carrot Cake Bars 🥕💪
A lighter twist on a classic treat! These carrot cake bars are moist, gently spiced, and naturally sweetened—perfect for a wholesome snack or guilt-free dessert. You won’t believe they’re made with better-for-you ingredients! ✨🌿
Ingredients:
- 1 cup almond flour
- Âľ cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ÂĽ tsp ground nutmeg
- ÂĽ tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- â…“ cup maple syrup or honey
- ÂĽ cup coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1½ cups finely grated carrots
- ÂĽ cup crushed pineapple, drained
- ÂĽ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ÂĽ cup raisins (optional)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional):
- 4 oz light cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a bowl, whisk together almond flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, maple syrup (or honey), melted coconut oil, and vanilla until well combined.
Combine and Fold:
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just combined. Fold in the grated carrots, pineapple, and optional nuts or raisins.
Bake the Bars:
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
Make the Frosting (Optional):
Whisk together the cream cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the cooled bars.
Serve:
Slice into bars and enjoy a sweet treat that’s as nourishing as it is delicious!
🍽️ Prep Time: 15 minutes | Bake Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
🍽️ Perfectly moist, naturally sweet, and packed with goodness—your new favorite snack! 🥕✨