Description
These Healthy No-Sugar Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are a total game changer for anyone who loves dessert but wants to stay fueled with protein and natural ingredients. They taste like a decadent treat, but they are healthy enough to eat for breakfast. By using cottage cheese, you create an incredibly moist texture without needing heaps of oil or butter.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups rolled oats (blended into flour or used whole for more texture)
- 1.5 cups grated carrots (about 3 large carrots)
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese (small curd works best)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- For the Healthy Frosting:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (plain and thick)
- 4 ounces softened light cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Fresh orange zest for topping
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, cottage cheese, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Use a whisk to blend until relatively smooth.
- Add the Carrots: Stir in your freshly grated carrots. Freshly grated is best for moisture and flavor.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the oats, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Fold in nuts if using. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely.
- Frost and Garnish: Beat the frosting ingredients together until silky. Spread thick over the cooled cake. Sprinkle with fresh orange zest and extra nuts if desired.
Notes
If you do not like the texture of cottage cheese or oats, you can pulse the wet ingredients and oats in a blender until smooth before adding carrots. Ensure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting. For a tropical twist, add 1/4 cup of crushed pineapple (squeezed dry) to the batter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert/Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Healthy American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 185
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 45mg