Bob’s Farm to Table: Carrot cake is my perfect comfort food dessert. This delicious dessert bar is ultra moist with a rich presence of comforting, warm spices. Applesauce works as a perfect substitute for a portion of the oil by adding moisture and no grease. Top with a coating of cream cheese frosting.

Carrot Cake Bars
 
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Recipe type: Desserts
Makes: 36 Carrot Cake Bars
Ingredients
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups shredded carrots
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground allspice
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup applesauce
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F, and spray an 11 x 15-inch half-sheet cake or jellyroll pan with nonstick cooking spray. For easier release, line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, carrots, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
  4. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until well combined.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Let cool completely.
  6. Meanwhile, prepare the frosting by putting all the frosting ingredients in an electric mixer and beating until smooth and creamy.
  7. For 100 calorie bars, cut the cake into 6 rows by 6 rows to make 36 bars.
  8. Spread a thin layer of frosting on each bar before serving (this looks better if done after cutting the cake).
Frosting:

8 ounces fat-free cream cheese, softened
1 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon juice

Perfect Portion Carrot Cake Bars

HELPFUL TIP: For the best presentation, use a pastry bag to pipe a large dot of the frosting in the center of each bar, rather than spreading a thin layer.
Serving size: 1 bar Calories: 100
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