Healthy Carrot Cake Bars
User Reviews
4.8
Healthy Carrot Cake Bars
Description
These bars use almond flour and coconut sugar as the base, with baking powder and soda for lift. Eggs and unsweetened applesauce contribute moisture, while grated carrots, walnuts, and raisins add texture and natural sweetness. Optional ginger provides a warm spicy note. Baking at 350°F produces a moist yet firm bar that slices neatly.
Once cooled, the bars are frosted with cream cheese frosting or a vanilla buttercream, which complements the nutty and lightly spiced cake. Chopped walnuts on top add crunch. The bars are suitable for slicing into 9 to 12 portions, serving as a snack, dessert, or breakfast bar.
These bars store well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Variations include swapping raisins for dates, using different nuts like almonds or pecans, and choosing between cream cheese or vanilla buttercream frosting depending on taste preferences or ingredient availability.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour I used Bob's Red Mill, blanched
- ⅓ cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt fine sea salt
- 2 egg large
- ¼ cup applesauce unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons fresh ginger optional, grated; or ginger powder
- ⅓ cup carrot grated
- ⅓ cup walnuts plus more for garnish, chopped raw
- ¼ cup raisins
- 3 Tablespoons dark chocolate chips optional
Frosting
- 1 ½ cups cream cheese frosting or Lexi's vanilla buttercream frosting (page 288, healthy
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F and line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: almond flour, coconut sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well blended.
- Whisk in the wet ingredients: eggs, applesauce, vanilla and ginger, if using, until smooth.
- Fold in the carrots, walnuts, raisins, and chocolate chips, if using.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, smooth out the top, and bake for about 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the middle.
- While the cake is baking, make the frosting and set aside.
- When the cake is done, let it cool completely in the pan before frosting or cutting.
- Spread the frosting evenly across the top of the cake and garnish with extra chopped walnuts, if desired. Cut into 9 to 12 bars to serve.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator; they keep fresh for up to five days.
- Try substituting raisins with dates or omit dried fruit if preferred.
- Use cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream, homemade or store-bought, based on your preference.
- Almond flour works best; other flours may alter texture—experiment with caution.
- Optional grated ginger adds warmth but can be omitted.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 9bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 191 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 bar (without icing) | |
| Calories | 191kcal | 10% |
| Carbohydrates | 21g | 7% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 41mg | 14% |
| Sodium | 132mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 153mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 13g | 26% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.8
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