Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Vegan Carrot Cake Bars, made with nutrient-rich almond flour, natural sweeteners like maple syrup and applesauce, and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. These bars are a perfect healthy treat for any time of day, featuring shredded carrots and optional walnuts for added texture and nutrition. Simple to prepare and baked to perfection, they offer a wholesome, dairy-free, and egg-free dessert option.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, combine almond flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and sea salt, stirring well to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent.
- Whisk wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together maple syrup, melted coconut oil, flaxseed meal, unsweetened applesauce, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and stir thoroughly until a consistent batter forms without lumps.
- Add shredded carrots and walnuts: Gently fold in the shredded carrots and chopped walnuts if using, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Transfer to pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean, indicating that they are fully baked.
- Cool and serve: Allow the carrot cake bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before slicing into squares and serving.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the walnuts before adding them to the batter.
- Ensure carrots are finely shredded to blend well and add moisture.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be frozen individually wrapped for up to 3 months.
- For a sweeter taste, drizzle additional maple syrup on top before serving.
