Description

These Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are soft, warmly spiced, and naturally moist with grated carrots and blended cottage cheese. This easy recipe is perfect for a healthy snack, quick breakfast treat, brunch dessert, or simple food idea when you want carrot cake flavor in a lighter bar form.

Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese, blended smooth

1 cup finely grated carrots

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup neutral oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup chopped walnuts, optional

1/4 cup raisins, optional

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons Greek yogurt

1/3 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly grease the parchment.

2. Blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor until completely smooth.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the blended cottage cheese, brown sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla until smooth.

4. In another bowl, mix the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

5. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until almost combined.

6. Stir in the grated carrots, then fold in walnuts and raisins if using.

7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.

8. Bake for 28 to 34 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

9. Cool the bars completely in the pan, then lift them out with the parchment.

10. Beat the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

11. Spread or drizzle the topping over the cooled bars, then chill for cleaner slicing.

12. Cut into 12 bars and serve.

Notes

Blend the cottage cheese until smooth so the bars bake with a creamy, tender texture.

Use freshly grated carrots for the best moisture and flavor.

Cool the bars completely before adding the topping so it stays thick and smooth.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 32 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 215
Sugar: 14g
Sodium: 185mg
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 26g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 48mg

Keywords: Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars, carrot cake bars, easy recipe, healthy snack, quick breakfast, brunch dessert, food ideas