Description
These healthy gluten-free carrot cake bars are moist, lightly sweetened, and packed with flavorful spices, raisins, and walnuts. Topped with a creamy Greek yogurt frosting, they make a delicious and nutritious dessert or snack option, perfect for those seeking a wholesome treat without compromising on taste.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup 1:1 gluten-free flour (148 grams)
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 medium brown banana (100 grams)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil (softened/melted)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 heaping cup finely shredded carrots (125 grams)
- 1/4 cup raisins (40 grams) – optional
- 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped (45 grams) – optional
Frosting
- 1/2 batch Greek yogurt frosting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan with ghee, butter, or oil to prevent the batter from sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium-large bowl, mash the brown banana until smooth. If your coconut oil is solid, melt it gently. Add the egg, milk, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed banana and mix thoroughly.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well until there are no streaks of flour. Fold in the finely shredded carrots, raisins (if using), and chopped walnuts (if using) evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake for 28 to 32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Frosting: While the bars are baking, prepare your Greek yogurt frosting. Once made, place it in the refrigerator to chill and thicken until the bars are cooled.
- Frost the Bars: After the carrot cake bars have cooled, spread the chilled Greek yogurt frosting evenly over the top. Optionally, sprinkle a little cinnamon on top for extra flavor. Place the frosted bars in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to set the frosting.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the bars into 9 equal pieces and enjoy this delicious, healthy treat!
Notes
- You can omit raisins and walnuts for a nut-free or simpler version of the bars.
- Use a ripe brown banana for natural sweetness and moist texture.
- Make sure to cool the bars completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and the frosting firm.
- These bars are gluten-free when using a gluten-free flour blend.
