Love all things carrot cake?  Well you are in luck today carrot cake lovers, let’s chat about no bake carrot cake protein slice.

THIS is a dreamy dessert or healthy snack if you love carrot cake as much as I do. Guess what? you don’t even have to turn on your oven!

Imagine biting into a chewy, grainy goodness that combines the caramel sweetness of dates, the crunchiness of walnuts, and the earthiness of carrots.

The blend of vanilla protein powder and almond butter is SO good and really makes that “cake” flavor. Add in the warm notes of cinnamon, apricots and orange zest and you have got classic carrot cake flavors without having to bake a cake. It’s a really satisfying mix that keeps you coming back for more.

If there’s one thing that will make my knees weak, it’s carrot cake. I would take carrot cake any day over chocolate. Okay, so maybe not any day. I would still gladly accept chocolate any time. But there’s just something about carrot cake.

This recipe is a spin on a traditional favorite! Made with a carrot, date and walnut base, this delicious cake is topped with a silky, cashew, coconut frosting that’s surprisingly healthy and good for you.

Is it a low calorie carrot cake? No. This carrot cake is healthy in the sense that it’s highly nutritious. It’s not diet food (if there really is such a thing). There are no “empty calories” here.

Because it IS possible to make a much healthier version and enjoy the classic flavour and essence of traditional carrot cake without all the refined sugar and refined flour. This recipe does just that, plus this one is really easy to make.

This is a sweet treat that nourishes with a whole host of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all drawn from nuts and natural fruits – and carrots of course.

It’s moist, dense and full of flavor. So much flavor! Maybe it’s the carrots. Maybe it’s the coconut. Maybe it’s the sweet cinnamon-y flavour. Or maybe it’s that sweet, sweet lemon, vanilla icing. Whatever it is, this is what carrot cake dreams are made of!

Carrots are great for your immune system with Vitamin C and A, even a little Vitamin K and some Vitamin B.  Walnuts contain protein and good fats including omega 3, yes please!

Also Vitamin E, another vitamin important for a good immune system, along with other minerals and vitamins. Coconut is delicious too, oh yay and is healthy! It has good minerals and fibre and best of all good fats as in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) that give us ENERGY!

Spices (including vanilla extract) are power houses that we can use to improve our health using their volatile oils, spices are packed with antioxidants and minerals!

This carrot cake recipe is so versatile, if you would like a new power/bliss ball recipe, use this recipe but form into balls instead and roll in shredded coconut.

There’s so much to love about this healthy, highly nutrient dense, and delicious dessert/snack/breakfast.  Yep, these are healthy enough to eat for breakfast or a snack. And I most certainly have!

Carrot Cake Protein Slice

My carrot cake protein slice bars are chewy, lightly spiced, and topped with a tangy cashew cream frosting. It’s a no-bake recipe that’s easy to make ahead!

 

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine Healthy Clean Eating

Keyword carrot cake bars no bake, carrot cake bars raw, carrot cake protein slice, clean eating dessert or snack, healthy carrot bake bars

Servings 8

Ingredients

Carrot Cake

• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced into chunks (at least 1½ cups)
• 1 cup walnuts or almonds
• 1 cup dates, soaked 30 minutes and drained
• 1/2 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup almond (or any nut or seed) butter
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (or to taste)

Cashew Cream Frosting

• 1 cup cashews, soaked 3+hours and drained
• 1 13.5 oz can coconut cream full fat (solid part only) *see note below
• 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder, vanilla or unflavoured
• 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1-2 lemons, juice and zest - depending on how lemon-y you prefer
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Toppings Optional

• grated carrot
• dried fruits or nuts
• shredded coconut

Instructions

Carrot Cake Slice

• Note: Place the can of coconut cream or milk in the fridge or freezer for at least 1-2 hours before making these bars to allow coconut cream to separate.

  Line an 7x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper on the bottom and sides leaving some overhanging to act as a handle to get the cake out easier for cutting.

  Place carrots and walnuts into a food processer and process until broken down and crumbly. Add dates and coconut continue to process until mixture is well combined.

  Add apricots, orange zest and cinnamon and pulse or blitz very briefly until just combined. You want these ingredients to be less processed so be careful not to over process as its nice to have some texture variance and different sized “bits” in your finished bars.

  Press the mixture into the bottom of your pan or dish evenly. Refrigerate while you prepare the frosting.

Cashew Cream Frosting

• Open chilled can and scoop out the cream that has separated and set hard on the top. Save the remaining coconut water to use in a smoothie, drink, or discard.

  Place all frosting ingredients, cashews, coconut cream, honey, vanilla, lemon juice and zest into the food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Depending on the power of your blender this might take a few minutes.

  Stop blending to scrape the sides if necessary and continue to blend until very smooth. Taste test add more honey or lemon if you think it needs it.

  Pour the frosting on top of the chilled cake and spread evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Decorate as you like gently pushing the preferred topping into the frosting so they don’t fall off when eating.

  Place back in fridge until frosting is firm and set.

  Remove and slice into 8-10 bars or more smaller squares depending on what size you prefer.

  Store in fridge for up to one week or 3 months in the freezer.

   

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If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites