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An Easy snack for busy days

This recipe for carrot cake power bars is easy for any level of baker. It’s a healthy, wholesome treat that is packed with whole grains and free of refined sugar. They are peanut and tree-nut free. They have the taste of carrot cake with the nutrition of a power bar. This recipe doubles easily and freezes well!

Origins of the recipe

I recently wrote about the chronic pain and illnesses my husband and I live with, including his rare autoimmune issues. This is one of the first recipes I developed after his diagnosis. As a Type 1 diabetic, he needed a snack that was high in fiber and protein while low in refined sugars and carbs. At first we searched for packaged products at the grocery store. But we quickly found that not only were those expensive, they were full of weird ingredients and did not taste very good. After some trial and error, I landed on this recipe that we ended up calling Carrot Cake Power Bars.

Tips for making this recipe

Carrot Cake Power Bars have the best flavors of wholesome carrot cake without all the extra refined flour and sugar. They are dense and chewy, easy to pack for a day hike or work lunch.

If available, you can add protein powder to give them an extra energy boost. Other twists would be adding raisins, nuts or cream cheese for frosting.

The way this recipe is written makes for easy doubling. You can make them thicker in the sam dish, or bake them in two pans. They last well in the fridge for a week and in the freezer for six months.

Carrot Cake Power Bar Recipe

Level: Easy | Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 50 minutes | Yield: 16 bars

EQUIPMENT

• 2-3 mixing bowls

• 1 small sauce pan or microwave-proof bowl

• Stand mixer or mixing spoon

• Cutting board

• Sharp kitchen knife

• Measuring cups and spoons

• 9x13 baking dish

• Oven

INGREDIENTS

Dry Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cup oats

• 1 cup oat flour

• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed

• 2 teaspoons cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 - 1 cup protein powder (optional)

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup applesauce

• 1/2 cup maple syrup, honey, or agave

• 1 large egg

• 2 teaspoons vanilla

• 4 tablespoons melted butter

Fresh Ingredients

• 1 cup carrot, grated

• 1 cup apple, diced

Extra flour and oil (for coating the baking dish)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350*

2. Coat the baking dish in oil and then sprinkle with flour, shaking to coat

3. Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl or stand mixer

4. Mix together the wet ingredients in a medium bowl

5. Mix together the fresh ingredients in a small bowl

6. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry

7. Gently fold the fresh ingredients into the batter

8. Pour the batter into the baking dish, patting until evenly distributed

9. Bake for 40 - 50 minutes until firm and golden on top

10. When cool, cut into 16 pieces

Serving Suggestions

• These bars taste great cold or at room temperature

Notes

• Store them in the fridge for a week. Any additional bars can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

• This recipe doubles well. You can put a double batch in one baking dish for thicker bars or in 2 pans. Thicker bars will take more baking time.