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Healthy Easter Carrot Cake Bars with Greek Yogurt Frosting

Delight in these wholesome and flavorful carrot cake bars, packed with grated carrots, warm spices, and a hint of natural sweetness. Topped with a light, tangy Greek yogurt cream cheese frosting, they are the perfect healthier treat for Easter or any spring gathering.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 170
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Healthy Carrot Cake Bars
  • 1.5 cup whole wheat flour
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1.5 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 0.25 tsp ground ginger
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 2 cup grated carrots about 3-4 medium carrots
  • 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 0.5 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 0.25 cup plain Greek yogurt 2% or full-fat
  • 0.25 cup melted coconut oil or olive oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
  • 0.25 cup raisins optional
For the Healthy Greek Yogurt Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 oz light cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt 2% or full-fat
  • 0.25 cup powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener or powdered sugar, adjusted to taste
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch salt

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Grater
  • Electric Mixer
  • Parchment Paper

Method
 

Prepare the Baking Pan & Dry Ingredients
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the longer sides to make lifting the bars out easier. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt until well combined. Set aside.
Combine Wet Ingredients
  1. In a separate medium mixing bowl, whisk together the grated carrots, unsweetened applesauce, pure maple syrup, plain Greek yogurt, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is homogenous.
Mix and Bake
  1. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredient mixture. Using a spatula, stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are perfectly fine. If using, gently fold in the chopped walnuts/pecans and raisins.
  2. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared 9x13 inch baking pan.
  3. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean. The top should be golden brown and spring back slightly when gently pressed.
  4. Allow the carrot cake bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to frost them. This is crucial to prevent the frosting from melting.
Prepare the Healthy Cream Cheese Frosting
  1. While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened light cream cheese with an electric mixer until it is smooth and creamy, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add the plain Greek yogurt, powdered sweetener, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the cream cheese. Beat on medium speed until the frosting is light, fluffy, and well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Frost and Serve
  1. Once the carrot cake bars are completely cooled, spread the Greek yogurt cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
  2. For best results and easier slicing, chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the frosting to firm up slightly.
  3. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang, place on a cutting board, and cut into 16 equal bars. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

For the finest texture, ensure your carrots are grated very finely; a food processor with a grating attachment makes this quick and easy. Store any leftover Healthy Easter Carrot Cake Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The amount of powdered sweetener in the frosting can be adjusted to your personal preference – feel free to add more or less. If you prefer a richer flavor, you can lightly toast the walnuts or pecans before adding them to the batter.