no bake carrot cake bars
Do you ever crave the delicious flavors of carrot cake but don't want to go through the hassle of baking? You're not alone! That's why these no-bake carrot cake bars are the perfect solution. These raw, easy-to-make bars capture all the same mouthwatering tastes of traditional carrot cake, but with a fraction of the effort. In fact, I was able to whip them up while babysitting two toddlers and playing Monopoly - talk about a quick and simple recipe! If that doesn’t tell you how easy these are to make, I don’t know what will!
Not only are these no-bake carrot cake bars delicious, but they're also incredibly good for you. They're sweetened with wholesome ingredients like medjool dates and maple syrup, without any refined sugars. The bars also contain a good amount of protein from nuts, which makes them the perfect pre- or post-workout snack. You get the energy boost from the dates combined with the power of protein - what could be better than enjoying this healthy "dessert"? And of course, as the name suggests, these bars contain carrots, providing a serving of vegetables in a delicious, portable form. They're great for an afternoon pick-me-up or anytime you need a nutritious, hassle-free treat.
So if you're craving the flavors of carrot cake without the baking hassle, give these no-bake bars a try. They're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your body.
Tips for Making Delicious No-Bake Carrot Cake Bars:
Use a food processor, not a blender.
The recipes calls for a food processor, which is the best tool for getting a nice uniform texture in the bar mixture.
A high speed blender can work, but it will be much more difficult to achieve the desired consistency.
Pack the mixture firmly into the pan.
Be sure to pack the bar mixture tightly into the pan to prevent the bars from crumbling.
Use the bottom of a measuring cup to get a smooth, even layer.
Chill the base before topping.
Chilling the base of the bar will cause the coconut oil in the mixture to harden, helping the bars set properly.
Don’t skip this important step.
Use an electrical mixer for the cream cheese topping.
Cream cheese can be thick and difficult to whisk smooth by hand. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer will make the process much quicker and easier, resulting in a creamy, lump-free topping.
Spread the cream cheese evenly.
Try to spread the cream cheese topping as evenly as possible across the chilled bar base. This will ensure each bite has the perfect ratio of creamy topping to “cake”.
Chill the bars again after topping.
Chilling the bars once the cream cheese layer is added is crucial, as cream cheese can become soft when heated.
Beating the cream cheese with the other ingredients will cause it to slightly heat up and become more liquidy. The chilling process will help the topping set properly.
Customize the serving.
These bars can be cut into 9 larger squares or smaller pieces, depending on your preference and the occasion.
Smaller sizes may be better for serving at a dinner party or to children.
Freeze for later.
These no-bake carrot cake bars freeze very well.
Flash freeze them first, then store in a reuseable ziplock bag with parchment paper between each bar. To defrost, move them to the fridge the night before or let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.
nourish your body.
No Bake Carrot Cake Bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes
ingredients:
10 medjool dates
1 cup walnuts
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup carrot, shredded
2 Tbsp melted coconut oil
2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of pink salt
8 oz vegan cream cheese
1/4 tsp cinnamon
5 Tbsp maple syrup
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
directions:
Add dates, nuts, carrots, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt to a food processor. Process until you get fine crumbs.
Pour and press into a lined 8x8 pan.
Chill for 10 minutes.
In a separate bowl, beat together the cream cheese, cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla extract until smooth.
Spread the cream cheese topping evenly over the chilled carrot cake base.
Chill the bars for 30 minutes to allow the topping to set.
Cut into your desired sizes.
Enjoy :)
