Description
These Spiced Ginger Carrot and Zucchini Bars with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting are moist, flavorful, and packed with fresh grated vegetables and warm spices. Topped with a tangy lemon-infused cream cheese frosting, they make a perfect dessert or snack for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrot
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups regular flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Frosting
- 1 8 oz package reduced-fat cream cheese
- 1 cup icing sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Wet Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, brown sugar, canola oil, honey, and vanilla extract until combined. Small clumps of brown sugar may remain but will dissolve. Gently fold in the grated carrot, grated zucchini, and chopped walnuts.
- Prepare and Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ground ginger, and baking soda until evenly mixed.
- Mix Batter and Prepare for Baking: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined, taking care not to overmix. Spread the batter evenly into an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
- Bake and Cool the Cake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare and Apply the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the reduced-fat cream cheese, icing sugar, and lemon zest with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Spread or pipe the frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Cut into 36 bars and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the zucchini is grated and lightly squeezed to remove excess moisture to avoid sogginess.
- The bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
- For a nut-free version, omit walnuts or substitute with seeds.
- You can add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the spice profile.
- Let the bars come to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: carrot bars, zucchini bars, lemon cream cheese frosting, spiced dessert, healthy dessert, moist bars, spiced carrot cake
