Description
These Healthy Carrot Cake Bars are a wholesome, gluten-free spin on classic carrot cake—naturally sweetened, made with almond flour, and topped with a light cream cheese frosting. Moist, flavorful, and perfect for a snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
- 2 tbsp milk (any kind)
- 1 tbsp mild oil (avocado, light olive, or melted coconut)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1½ cups super fine blanched almond flour
- ¾ cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (plus extra for garnish)
- ¼ cup raisins
- 3 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
- Cooking spray
- 1½ cups healthy cream cheese frosting (see Notes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, maple syrup, milk, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in almond flour, shredded carrots, nuts, raisins, and coconut flakes until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then lift out using the parchment and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Once cool, spread frosting evenly over the top and garnish with chopped nuts if desired.
- Cut into 9 squares and serve.
Notes
- Healthy cream cheese frosting: Mix softened cream cheese with Greek yogurt, a bit of powdered sweetener (or sugar), and vanilla extract until smooth. Adjust thickness by adding or reducing yogurt or sweetener.
- Use agave, honey, or date syrup in place of maple syrup if preferred.
- Omit raisins or coconut if not desired; substitute with other dried fruits or nuts.
- To make dairy-free: use plant-based milk, vegan cream cheese and yogurt.
- Bars are also delicious without frosting for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 130mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
