Description
These No Sugar Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are a wholesome twist on a classic dessert. They combine naturally sweet carrots and dates with creamy cottage cheese to create a soft, moist bar perfect for a healthy snack, quick breakfast, or light dessert. Warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg bring classic carrot cake flavor while oats add fiber and texture. This easy recipe works great for meal prep and healthy dessert ideas without refined sugar.
Ingredients
2 cups grated carrots
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup Medjool dates
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 cup crushed pineapple optional
1/3 cup chopped walnuts optional
1/2 cup Greek yogurt for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Soak the Medjool dates in warm water for about 10 minutes then drain and blend them into a smooth paste.
3. In a blender or bowl mix cottage cheese eggs vanilla extract and the blended dates until smooth.
4. In a separate bowl combine rolled oats baking powder baking soda cinnamon nutmeg and ginger.
5. Add grated carrots crushed pineapple and chopped walnuts if using and mix well.
6. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until fully combined.
7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
8. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
9. Allow the bars to cool completely before spreading Greek yogurt on top if desired.
10. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
Blend the cottage cheese before mixing if you want an extra smooth texture.
Add two or three extra dates if you prefer a sweeter naturally sweetened bar.
Allow the bars to cool fully before slicing so they hold their shape and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: healthy carrot cake bars, no sugar dessert, cottage cheese carrot cake bars, healthy snack recipe, easy breakfast bars