Classic carrot cake flavors abound in these easy bars. They're rich like brownies, but their cake-like texture helps keep them light. A yogurt and cream cheese-based frosting topped with nutty walnuts completes this crowd-pleasing dessert. If you're avoiding gluten, look for gluten-free oat flour or make your own by processing gluten-free oats into powder in your high-speed blender.

EatingWell.com, April 2022

Gallery

Read the full recipe after the video.

Recipe Summary

active:
15 mins
total:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
12

Nutrition Profile:

Advertisement

Ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9-inch-square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the parchment to extend over the sides by at least 2 inches. Whisk oat flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and cloves together in a small bowl.

    Advertisement
  • Microwave butter in a large microwave-safe bowl just until melted, about 30 seconds. Whisk in brown sugar until combined. Add egg, egg yolk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; whisk until combined. Add the flour mixture and whisk just until the dry ingredients are moistened. Fold in carrot. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden brown and slightly puffed and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out almost clean with a few moist crumbs, 25 to 27 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour.

  • Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and yogurt in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add confectioners' sugar and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and beat until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.

  • Use the parchment paper to remove the cooled bars from the pan. Place the bars on a plate or platter; discard the parchment. Spread the frosting evenly over the bars and top with walnuts.

Equipment:

Parchment paper

To make ahead:

Refrigerate frosting (Step 3) for up to 3 days. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before spreading. Refrigerate finished bars, covered, for up to 1 day.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar
190 calories; protein 2g; carbohydrates 25g; dietary fiber 1g; sugars 18g; added sugar 15g; fat 9g; saturated fat 5g; mono fat 3g; poly fat 1g; cholesterol 51mg; vitamin a iu 1802IU; vitamin c 1mg; vitamin d iu 42IU; vitamin e iu 1IU; folate 8mg; vitamin k 2mg; sodium 218mg; calcium 39mg; iron 1mg; magnesium 5mg; phosphorus 37mg; potassium 79mg; omega 6 fatty acid 1g; selenium 3mcg.
Advertisement