Carrot and Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

RECIPE :

Carrot and Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting offer a unique blend of flavors and textures. These bars make a delightful dessert, a satisfying snack, or a sweet party treat. Their combination of vegetables and creamy frosting will make them a memorable addition to your dessert repertoire.

Carrot and Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

“Carrot and Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting offer a unique blend of flavors and textures.”

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrot
• 1 cup shredded zucchini
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

 

• 1 (8 oz) pkg reduced fat cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: Prepare the Bars

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Ensure it’s properly preheated before baking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 1/4 cup of honey, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Don’t worry about clumps in the brown sugar; they’ll dissolve as it sits.
3. Fold in the grated carrots, grated zucchini, and chopped walnuts.
4. In another bowl, combine the dry ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Whisk to blend these ingredients together.
5. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir just until combined.
6. Spread the batter into an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

Step 2: Bake the Bars

7. Bake the bars in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

Step 3: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

9. While the bars are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium mixing bowl, beat 8 oz (1 package) of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy.
10. Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture, continuing to beat until well combined.
11. Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Frost the Bars

12. Once the bars are completely cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting over the top.
13. Cut the bars into 36 squares.