Dessert

Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars Recipe

Bylina Carter October 14, 2025October 14, 2025

Introduction

Cottage Cheese Carrot Cake Bars are a moist and nutritious treat, combining the sweetness of carrots with the creamy texture of cottage cheese. They make for a perfect snack or breakfast on the go, offering a healthy twist on traditional carrot cake.

The image shows a stack of three square carrot cake bars placed on a white marbled surface. Each bar has two visible layers: a moist, textured carrot cake base mixed with grated orange carrot pieces, and a smooth creamy white frosting layer on top. The topmost bar is decorated with thin white icing lines drizzled across its surface, adding a delicate texture and pattern. The cake layers look dense with bits of carrot and crumbly cake, while the frosting is thick and evenly spread. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on the detailed close-up of the stacked bars. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese
2 large eggs

½ cup almond flour (or oat flour)
½ cup grated carrot

2–3 tbsp maple syrup or honey (optional)
1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Optional: 2–3 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup (if using), and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.

Step 3: Add the almond or oat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and grated carrot to the mixture. Stir until everything is well combined. Fold in the chopped nuts if you are using them.
Step 4: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula for even cooking.
Step 5: Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the surface is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

Step 6: Allow the bars to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing into 9 bars. This helps them firm up and makes slicing easier.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free version, simply omit the walnuts or pecans and add a tablespoon of sunflower seeds for crunch.
If you prefer a sweeter bar, increase the maple syrup or honey to 3 tablespoons or add a few raisins.

Use oat flour if you need a gluten-free option or want a different texture.
Adding a pinch of nutmeg along with cinnamon can enhance the warm flavors.

Storage

Store the carrot cake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying. To reheat, warm them briefly in the microwave or oven to soften.

How to Serve

Three square pieces of carrot cake bars are stacked on top of each other, each bar showing a dense, moist texture filled with visible orange carrot shreds and small specks of nuts or spices. The bottom layer is a slightly darker brown cake base, topped by a thick layer of smooth white cream cheese frosting. The top layer of frosting is decorated with thin, white zigzag lines of icing and small orange carrot-shaped sprinkles. The bars rest on a surface with a white marbled texture. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute the cottage cheese for another dairy or non-dairy option?

You can try Greek yogurt as a substitute, but it may change the texture slightly. Non-dairy options like silken tofu or vegan yogurt can work but might affect flavor and moisture.

Are these bars suitable for meal prep or snacks?

Yes, these bars are perfect for meal prepping. They keep well in the fridge and make a convenient, protein-packed snack or breakfast option on the go.