Spiced Ginger Carrot and Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting 

These Spiced Ginger Carrot and Zucchini Bars are a bright and sneaky way to pack lots of veggies into a delightful dessert. With warm ginger-spiced batter, moist shredded carrots and zucchini, and crunchy walnuts, every bite is full of cozy flavor. Topped with a tangy lemon cream cheese frosting, they deliver a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and refreshing notes. They’re great for make-ahead treats, perfect for using up garden produce, and sure to convert even the pickiest eaters with their irresistible taste. 

Ingredients

• Wet Mixture:
  
  

  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
    
    

  • ¾ cup tightly packed brown sugar
    
    

  • ½ cup canola oil
    
    

  • ¼ cup honey
    
    

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    
    

• Veggies & Nuts:
  
  

  • 1½ cups grated carrot
    
    

  • 1 cup grated zucchini
    
    

  • ½ cup chopped walnuts
    
    

• Dry Mixture:
  
  

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
    
    

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    
    

  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    
    

  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
    
    

• Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
  
  

  • 8 oz reduced‑fat cream cheese
    
    

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
    
    

  • 1½ teaspoons lemon zest
    
    

Directions

1. Preheat & Prep Pan
   Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Grease or line a 13×9‑inch (2‑inch deep) baking pan.
   
   

2. Mix Wet Ingredients
   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, canola oil, honey, and vanilla until smooth. Brown sugar clumps will dissolve as it rests.
   
   

3. Add Veggies & Nuts
   Fold in shredded carrot, shredded zucchini, and chopped walnuts until evenly incorporated.
   
   

4. Combine Dry Ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, ground ginger, and baking soda. Then stir this into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
   
   

5. Bake
   Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
   
   

6. Cool Completely
   Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack—this helps ensure the frosting doesn’t melt.
   
   

7. Prepare Frosting
   In a medium bowl, beat together the reduced‑fat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon zest on medium speed until light and fluffy. 

8. Frost & Serve
   Once cooled, spread or pipe the frosting over the top of the bars. Cut into 36 bars and serve.
   
   

Estimated Nutrients (per bar, based on 36 servings)

• Calories: 61–67 kcal
  
  

• Protein: ~0.8–1 g
  
  

• Total Fat: ~2.8–3.1 g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: ~0.3 g
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~8.9–9.4 g
  
  

• Fiber: ~0.1 g
  
  

• Sugars: ~3.8 g
  
  

• Sodium: ~14 mg
  
  

• Potassium: ~21 mg
  
  

• Vitamin A: ~18–26 IU
  
  

• Vitamin C: ~0.2–0.3 mg
  
  

• Calcium: ~0.7 mg
  
  

• Iron: ~0.02 mg