Quick Description
These No Sugar Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are a healthy twist on the classic carrot cake. Made with cottage cheese, oats, and applesauce, they’re naturally sweetened and packed with protein. Soft, moist, and spiced to perfection, they make a perfect guilt-free dessert or snack—without any added sugar.
Servings & Timing
Yield: 12 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: ~45 minutes
Ingredients List
- 2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup oats
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine grated carrots and cottage cheese.
Add oats, applesauce, walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and eggs.
Mix everything until well combined.
3. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Cool & Slice
Allow the bars to cool before cutting into squares.
Texture & Taste
- Soft and moist interior
- Lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg
- Slightly nutty crunch from walnuts
- Naturally sweetened with applesauce
Nutrition (per bar – approximate)
- Calories: 150–180
- Protein: 6–8g
- Carbs: 20–25g
- Fat: 6–8g
- Fiber: 3g
Benefits
- No Added Sugar: Naturally sweetened with applesauce
- High-Protein: Cottage cheese adds protein
- Fiber-Rich: Oats and carrots provide fiber for digestion
- Healthy Fats: Walnuts for a satisfying crunch
Additional Notes
- Make sure to grate the carrots finely for a smoother texture.
- Feel free to add raisins or shredded coconut for extra flavor.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace cottage cheese with dairy-free alternatives.
Dietary Info
- No Added Sugar: Yes
- Vegetarian: Yes
- Gluten-Free (if using GF oats): Yes
- High-Protein: Yes
Storage & Make-Ahead
- Refrigerate: Up to 4 days in an airtight container
- Freeze: Up to 1 month (wrap each bar individually for easy grab-and-go)
- Reheat: Microwave for 15–20 seconds to soften
FAQs
Can I make these vegan?
Yes, swap the eggs for a flax egg or chia egg and use dairy-free cottage cheese.
Can I use regular sugar instead of applesauce?
Yes, but applesauce helps keep these bars moist while cutting down on sugar.
Can I add more spices?
Absolutely! Try adding ginger or cloves for more flavor complexity.
Optional Personal Note
These carrot cake bars have become one of my go-to snacks for when I’m craving something sweet but don’t want to overindulge. They’re perfectly balanced and satisfy my carrot cake cravings without the sugar rush!
