Healthy Carrot Cake Dream Bars: Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar-Free
Love sweets but don't love all of the sugar, refined flour and fat added to the classic dessert? I fixed that with these Healthy Carrot Cake Dream Bars. They are the perfect solution to reminiscing on nostalgic spring time carrot cake, this time around made with wholesome ingredients and packed with flavor, they'll satisfy your sweet tooth without weighing you down.
Here's what makes them amazing:
- Packed with Nutrients: Bursting with grated carrots for natural sweetness and beta-carotene, plus other healthy ingredients like almond flour, cinnamon & coconut oil.
- Satisfyingly Sweet: Enjoy the warm spices and delicious flavors of classic carrot cake, without the refined sugar overload.
- Perfect for Busy Lives: Easy to make and perfect for meal prep, these bars are ideal for a grab-and-go snack or a healthy dessert.
Carrot Cake Dream Bars
Anne Murray, MS, RD
These Healthy Carrot Cake Dream Bars are not your average dessert! They offer the warm, comforting flavors of classic carrot cake in a gluten-free and refined sugar-free package. Packed with wholesome ingredients like almond flour, grated carrots, and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness, these bars are as nutritious as they are delicious.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Easter, Holiday, Spring
Cuisine Dessert, Healthy Dessert, Holiday Dessert
+ 4T melted (& cooled) coconut oil
Dreamy Cream Cheese Frosting
+ 1/2c probiotic cream cheese I used @nancysyogurt
+ 2T Greek yogurt @esti_foods
Line the baking pan with parchment paper, and heat oven to 350
Mix together all dry ingredients & wet ingredients in a bowl
Spread thick mixture out evenly in the pan
Bake for ~25-30 min for an 8x8 pan. I use @usa_pan they hold heat so well
Whip together probiotic cream cheese + Greek yogurt & maple syrup to create frosting
Store in refrigerator until bars are cooled and ready to be frosted
Enjoy! store in fridge & garnish with extra shredded carrots, or cinnamon. optional add nuts
I love a simple dessert that’s not too sweet and this carrot cake bar topped with cream cheese frosting is the perfect treat. I know you’ll love it. The ingredients are a simple, refined, sugar-free, and gluten-free.
- Nut and Seed Lovers: Play with different nut and seed combinations. Try chopped walnuts, pecans, almonds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or hemp seeds (all gluten-free!) for added texture and nutrients.
- Spice It Up: Want a bit more warmth? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper, ginger, or freshly grated nutmeg to the base batter.
- Chocolate Cravings? For a decadent twist, drizzle melted dark chocolate (choose at least 70% cacao for a healthy option) over the cooled bars.
- Berry Burst: Fold in a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, or chopped dried cranberries for a fruity twist (use "gluten-free dried cranberries" if using).
- Tropical Twist: Add a touch of paradise with shredded pineapple, chopped mango, or a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes.
- Frosting Fun: Don't like cream cheese? Use a dairy-free alternative like cashew frosting or coconut yogurt frosting. Make dairy-free carrot cake bars with these variations.
- Protein Power: For an extra protein boost, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the batter. Choose a flavor that compliments the carrot cake, like vanilla or cinnamon.
Thank you to Arman Liew for this inspiration for this recipe.
Keyword Carrot Cake, Carrot Cake bars, carrot cake dream bars, easter recipe, easy dessert, gluten free dessert, healthy dessert
