Carrot Cake Breakfast Bars 

These Carrot Cake Breakfast Bars offer a wholesome twist on the classic dessert, transforming it into a nutritious and convenient morning meal. Packed with fiber-rich oats, grated carrots, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, these bars deliver the comforting flavors of carrot cake without the guilt. Enhanced with the natural sweetness of applesauce and raisins, they provide a balanced combination of carbohydrates and protein to kickstart your day. Whether you're rushing out the door or enjoying a leisurely breakfast, these bars are a delicious and healthy option to fuel your morning.

Ingredients

For the Bars:

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  
  

• ½ cup chopped toasted pecans or shredded unsweetened coconut
  
  

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
  
  

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  
  

• ¾ teaspoon ground ginger
  
  

• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  
  

• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  
  

• ¼ teaspoon salt
  
  

• ½ cup low-fat milk
  
  

• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  
  

• 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
  
  

• ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  
  

• ½ cup shredded carrot
  
  

• ¼ cup raisins

For the Glaze:

• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
  
  

• 1 tablespoon honey
  
  

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
   
   

2. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, chopped pecans or shredded coconut, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt.
   
   

3. Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, brown sugar, and applesauce until well combined.
   
   

4. Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Gently fold in the shredded carrots and raisins.
   
   

5. Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   
   

6. Cool: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
   
   

7. Prepare Glaze: While the bars are cooling, beat the softened cream cheese and honey together until smooth and creamy.
   
   

8. Serve: Once the bars have cooled, drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top. Slice into 16 squares and enjoy.

Nutritional Information (Per Bar)

• Calories: 106 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 11.7 g
  
  

• Protein: 2.8 g
  
  

• Fat: 5.5 g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 3.7 g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 26.1 mg
  
  

• Sodium: 57.1 mg
  
  

• Fiber: 1.3 g
  
  

• Sugar: 5 g