These healthy carrot cake bars are soft and tender with a hint of cinnamon and spice. You’d never guess these tasty treats are secretly good for you! Filled with carrots, almond butter, and walnuts, these bars are a delicious treat!

carrot cake bars
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My friend and I went on a yoga retreat earlier this fall, and while we were there, our host made zucchini blondies with almond butter. I was intrigued by the idea of using almond butter as a base for a dessert bar, and I started brainstorming new recipe ideas. Ultimately, I landed on these healthy carrot cake bars.

carrot cake bars

It has all the flavors of your favorite carrot cake, but the texture is more like a blondie. It’s hard to believe these tasty bars are made without any refined sugar or flour!

Tips for Perfect Carrot Cake Bars

  • Make sure your almond butter has been stirred well before measuring. Almond butter will often separate, and you don’t want it to be too oily or too dry for this recipe. If your almond butter is unsalted, you may need to increase the salt in the recipe by about 1/4 teaspoon.
  • If you want to hide the carrot shreds, use a box grater with small holes. If you want the carrot shreds to be more pronounced, use a box grater with larger holes.
  • Be sure to line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  • The mixture will be thick, so use a rubber spatula to press it down evenly into the entire pan.
carrot cake bar batter

Carrot Cake Bar Substitution Ideas

  • If you don’t have coconut sugar, you can substitute brown sugar. Lightly pack it when measuring.
  • You can swap walnuts for pecans for a different crunch.
  • You can substitute chia seeds for the egg, by following the vegan directions below.
carrot cake bars on a plate

How to Make Vegan Carrot Cake Barschia seeds in a bowl

To make these healthy carrot cake bars vegan, substitute the egg for a “chia egg.” To make a chia egg, combine 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 2 1/2 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it forms a gel. Stir in the chia egg with the almond butter, then continue making the recipe as written.

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carrot cake blondies

Healthy Carrot Cake Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 4 reviews
  • Author: Liz Thomson
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Dessert
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Description

These healthy carrot cake bars are soft and tender with a hint of cinnamon and spice. You’d never guess these tasty treats are secretly healthy!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup creamy almond butter (see note)
  • 1 egg (see notes for vegan option)
  • 1/2 cup coconut sugar
  • 1/2 cup finely shredded carrots (about 2 large carrots)
  • 1/3 cup walnut pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper, or spray with non-stick spray.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the almond butter, egg and coconut sugar until completely mixed.
  4. Stir in the carrots, walnuts, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt until combined.
  5. Spread the mixture evenly into the baking pan. A rubber spatula can help spread it into an even layer.
  6. Bake for 25-28 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  7. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

Make sure your almond butter has been stirred well before measuring. Almond butter will often separate and you don’t want it to be too oily or too dry for this recipe. If your almond butter is unsalted, you may need to increase the salt in the recipe, by about 1/4 teaspoon.

I’ve also made this recipe with crunchy almond butter. It works, but the creamy almond butter results in a better texture.

To make these healthy carrot cake bars vegan, substitute the egg for a “chia egg”. To make a chia egg, combine 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 2 1/2 tablespoons of water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it forms a gel. Stir in the chia egg with the almond butter, then continue making the recipe as written.

carrot cake bars

These bars make a perfect snack. Thanks to the healthy fats, protein, and fiber, they’ll keep you full and satisfied! Pack a bar in your kid’s lunch, take one with you to work, or eat it for a quick breakfast!

If you’re looking for a more traditional carrot cake recipe, try this gluten free carrot cake. Are you looking for other snack bar ideas? Try these easy 5 ingredient granola bars!

5 ingredient granola bars

Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you make it later!