Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

Introduction

Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars offer a deliciously moist and slightly tangy twist on the classic carrot cake. With simple ingredients and easy steps, these bars make a perfect wholesome snack or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup almond flour (or oat flour)
• ½ cup grated carrot
• 2–3 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• Optional: 2–3 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line an 8×8‑inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
2. Step 2: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup or honey (if using), and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.
3. Step 3: Add the almond or oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and grated carrot to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Fold in the chopped nuts if you are using them.
4. Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top evenly with a spatula.
5. Step 5: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the surface is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing into 9 squares.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts or pecans, or substitute with sunflower seeds for extra crunch.
• If you prefer a sweeter bar, increase the maple syrup or honey by 1 tablespoon.
• Use oat flour to make the bars gluten-free and slightly lighter in texture.
• Adding a pinch of nutmeg along with cinnamon can enhance the warm spice flavor.

Storage

Store the carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. To reheat, warm a single bar in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular flour instead of almond or oat flour?

Yes, you can use regular all-purpose flour, but the texture may be a bit denser. Almond or oat flour adds moisture and a subtle nutty flavor.

Is it necessary to use cottage cheese?

Cottage cheese adds protein and moisture, giving these bars their unique texture. You could try ricotta as a substitute, but the flavor and consistency might vary slightly.

Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 111 reviews

These Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars offer a moist, protein-packed twist on traditional carrot cake. Using cottage cheese and almond flour, they are gluten-free and subtly sweetened with maple syrup or honey, making them a wholesome snack or breakfast option with a delightful cinnamon-spiced flavor and optional crunchy nuts.

• Author: Mia
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 9 bars 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup almond flour (or oat flour)
• ½ cup grated carrot
• 2–3 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Optional Add-ins

• 2–3 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350 °F (175 °C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup (if using), and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the almond or oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and grated carrot into the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is just combined. If you choose to include nuts, fold them in now.
4. Prepare to Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top evenly to ensure uniform baking.
5. Bake the Bars: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the surface is set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean, indicating they are cooked through.
6. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before slicing into 9 equal bars for serving.

Notes

• You can substitute oat flour if you prefer a nut-free option.
• Adjust sweetness by adding maple syrup or honey to your taste or omit for a less sweet bar.
• For added crunch and flavor, include chopped walnuts or pecans, or leave them out for a nut-free version.
• Make sure to cool the bars before cutting to prevent them from falling apart.
• These bars can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for longer storage.

Keywords: cottage cheese, carrot cake, gluten free, almond flour, healthy snack, baked bars, protein bars, low sugar dessert