Servings
Font
Back
0 from 0 votes

Nut-Free Carrot Cake Bars

Carrot cake bars are less fussy than making a layered carrot cake and they are filled with vitamin-packed carrots...so it's a healthy dessert (wink wink). 

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
41 mins
Servings: 9 bars
Calories: 288 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the bars
  • 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tsp. coconut oil, melted (sub. vegetable oil)
  • 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 Tbsp. cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger, ground
  • 1/2 tsp. cloves, ground
  • 1/2 tsp. allspice
  • 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, ground
  • 1 cup finely grated carrots (~1-2 large carrots)
  • 3/4 cup raisins or walnuts (optional mix-ins)
For the glaze
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 8 oz. softened cream cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. milk
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8X8-inch baking pan with non-stick baking spray; set aside.
  2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter in 30 second increments until full melted. Let cool slightly for ~5 minutes.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, oil and vanilla extract together. Whisk until combined. 
  4. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and all the spices together.
  5. Add the dry ingredients into the wet. Stir until just combined; don't over mix.
  6. Add carrots and any other mix-ins (raisins or walnuts). Stir to combine. (Batter will be thick).
  7. Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
  8. Bake for ~26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. Don't over bake - they will be dry. Allow bars to cool in pan for about 30 minutes before cutting and glazing.
Frosting
  1. In a large mixing bowl, use a hand held mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add in powdered sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, until combined. Add in the vanilla extract and milk and beat again until smooth. This makes a lot of frosting which we love, but feel free to cut the recipe in half if you only want a little!

Notes

  •  
  •  
  • Add in nuts or raisins if desired. (~ 3/4 cup)

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bar Calories 288kcal (14%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 288

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bar
Calories 288kcal 14%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.