A Hoppin’ Good Treat—Light on Sugar, Big on Flavor!

Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to bring out the carrot cake! But not just any carrot cake—Hippity Hop Healthier Carrot Cake Bars! 🥕🐰These bars are lower in sugar, but trust me, every-bunny will still be hopping with joy. (See what I did there?) Every time I make them, they disappear fast—the perfectly spiced cake is irresistibly soft, and the cream cheese frosting? A dreamy balance of tangy and sweet. Get ready, because once you take a bite, everyone will be hippity hopping over for more!

Balancing Sweetness: A Healthier Carrot Cake Treat!

As someone living with type 1 diabetes, I’ve learned to balance my love for sweets with lower-sugar alternatives that still satisfy my sweet tooth. These Hippity Hop Healthier Carrot Cake Bars were a total dream! They didn’t cause a rapid blood sugar spike (if any at all!), yet they still delivered all the sweetness I was hoping for.

The Perfect Flour Combo

I think I’ve found my new favorite baking duo: almond flour and oat flour! Together, they create the most perfect bar consistency—soft, slightly chewy, and just dense enough to hold up to that dreamy frosting.

Rethinking Sweeteners

I used to be skeptical about alternative sweeteners like Swerve and monk fruit, but now I’m a total convert. They add just the right amount of sweetness without any weird aftertaste, and they keep these bars lower in sugar while still tasting like a true indulgence.

What Makes These Bars So Good?

These bars are packed with grated carrots and crunchy nuts, giving them a wholesome, slightly spiced flavor that feels like a classic carrot cake—just healthier! Whether you prefer walnuts or pecans, both options add the perfect texture and flavor.

The Game-Changer: Cream Cheese Frosting

I never realized just how blood sugar-friendly cream cheese frosting is, but wow—this one blew my mind. It’s the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and it takes these bars to the next level.

What’s Next? Tropical & Fall Twists!

I’m already dreaming of a summer version with a tropical twist and a fall version with warm spices. (I did a gingerbread bar already, and it was phenomenal!) If you’d love to see a different variation, let me know!

FAQ

Do these taste like traditional carrot cake bars?
Yes! The texture is slightly different due to the almond and oat flour, but they’re just as soft, spiced, and flavorful as classic carrot cake.

What’s the best sweetener to use?
I used Swerve Brown Sweetener for that rich, caramelized taste, but other brands or monk fruit sweetener work well too.

Can I make these dairy-free?
Yes! Just swap the cream cheese and butter for dairy-free alternatives, like coconut cream or vegan cream cheese.

What nuts should I use?
Walnuts and pecans both work beautifully—pick your favorite!

Healthier Carrot Cake Bars

Print Recipe

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• Author: Taryn Camp

Ingredients

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For the Bars:

• 1 ½ cups almond flour
• 1 cup oat flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
• ⅓ cup Swerve Brown Sweetener
• ¼ cup melted coconut oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¾ cup finely grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans

For the Frosting:

• 6 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp butter, softened
• 2–3 tbsp Swerve Confectioners Sweetener
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Cinnamon for sprinkling (optional)

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Instructions

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the almond flour, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the applesauce, Swerve Brown Sweetener, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract, whisking until smooth. Stir in the grated carrots.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, folding gently until just combined. Incorporate the chopped nuts.
5. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared dish. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
6. For the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Slowly mix in the Swerve Confectioners Sweetener and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
7. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon, if desired!

 

Are you loving these lower-sugar desserts? Let me know in the comments or DM me if you have a favorite treat you’d love to see recreated with a lower-sugar twist!