Description
Delight in these wholesome Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Bars that combine the warm spices and flavors of traditional carrot cake with hearty oats for a nutritious and satisfying morning treat. Featuring a creamy maple-sweetened cream cheese frosting, these bars are perfect for meal prepping and grab-and-go breakfasts.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted and cooled slightly)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup cane sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp milk of choice
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the quick cooking oats, oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs together with the melted and slightly cooled coconut oil, maple syrup, cane sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well integrated.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Add the grated carrots, and gently stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Bake: Transfer the batter into a prepared 8x8-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Bars: Allow the bars to rest in the baking dish for 5 minutes. Then remove them from the pan and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to prevent crumbling when cut.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: While the bars are cooling, soften the cream cheese in a small bowl by microwaving it for about 30 seconds. Add maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth. Adjust consistency by adding more milk if needed.
- Serve: Slice the cooled bars into 16 pieces and drizzle or spread the cream cheese frosting over the top. Enjoy your delicious and healthy carrot cake oatmeal bars!
Notes
- Using quick cooking oats helps achieve a softer texture.
- Melted and slightly cooled coconut oil prevents the eggs from cooking when mixed.
- Make sure bars cool completely before slicing to maintain their structure.
- Milk of choice can be dairy or any plant-based milk according to dietary preferences.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 5 days.
- For a nut-free version, ensure oat flour is certified nut-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
